El Tepeyac Cafe

There can be no discussion of iconic restaurants in Los Angeles without mentioning El Tepeyac Cafe. Tucked away in the neighborhood of Boyle Heights, this restaurant has been an icon since 1952. Manuel Rojas and family have made this restaurant a "must" for natives and visitors alike with such dishes as the Manuel Special, an enormous burrito weighing 5lbs and garnering notoriety on the local and national level.

Manuel Rojas

The Rojas family opened their first restaurant in in downtown LA originally called Tupinamba Cafe in 1942. It was later moved to Lincoln Heights under the name, La Villa Cafe. In 1952 they made their final move to Boyle Heights as the now famous El Tepeyac Cafe. After the death of Salvador Rojas his wife Rebecca and son Manuel took over the reigns of the business and have made the restaurant into an international success. Through the decades, the family has contemplated the expansion of their brand until finally two years ago they opened their second El Tepeyac Cafe in the City of Industry located somewhat south of Los Angeles proper. Manuel Rojas dedicated his life to
the restaurant coming in at 3 a.m. every morning to prep the kitchen for their 6 a.m. opening time all the way until his death earlier this year in February of 2013 at the age of 79. He was as popular as his restaurant, known to welcome the patrons personally and always have candy ready for the children.

It is not possible to say that one has had the "El Tepeyac experience" without trying their Hollenbeck Burrito. This Burrito weighing in at an impressive 2.5 lbs. is the most popular dish served. It is a flour tortilla tightly wrapped around a ready to explode amount of shredded chicken in chile verde, rice, beans and guacamole. But the true star of this place has to be the legendary Manuel Special. This is the massively bigger brother to the Hollenbeck burrito boasting a gargantuan 5 lbs of deliciousness. Wrapped up, the Manuel Special can be longer than an adult forearm. It has had the honor of being featured in an episode of Man vs. Food. To check it out, click on the link.

There is really no need to say much more. I consider this place to be one of those "obligatory" visits in southern California. Aside from the burritos, they have a good menu and I definitely recommend their breakfasts. Although you wont find Manuel Rojas at the front to greet you anymore, you will still feel his warm welcome permeating through the environment within the walls of the restaurant.