El Tepeyac Cafe & Olvera Street

I totally woke up yesterday morning without a clue as to what I'd be doing for the day. These are my favorite kinds of days. In fact, Jared and I literally decided to first grab lunch at El Tepeyac Cafe as I was starting my car! This LA favorite (and Jared's favorite, too!) is known not only for their authentic Mexican food, but also the cultural experience that comes along with it. It was my very first time eating at El Tepeyac Cafe, and I cannot even begin to express how wonderful the whole experience was. It was so refreshing to meet and talk with genuine LA natives over a delicious meal. We ended up sharing the Manuel's Special Chile Verde, which is meant to feed 2-4 people. They even give you a spatula for the monster. Here are the before and after shots that pretty much explain it all:

Before..

After..

El Tepeyac Cafe

812 N Evergreen Ave

Los Angeles, CA 90033

In efforts to properly digest our food babies, we continued our little adventure on Olvera Street. If you've never been to Olvera Street, go! There is so much to do, see, and learn about one of the oldest parts of Downtown Los Angeles. If you've already been, go again! It's one of the best places to grab a churro, throw a cascarón or two, and listen to mariachi music.

P.S. Be sure to check out Union Station if you decide to visit (or return to) Olvera Street. So beautiful!

(All fish eye lens shots are c/o of Jared, while the rest are by yours truly.)

P.P.S. Just for funsies, how many movies can you name that were filmed at Union Station? I can name one: Can't Hardly Wait (SPOILER ALERT: the last scene when Jennifer Love Hewitt tracks down Ethan Embry before he leaves for colegio is filmed at Union Station. You're welcome.)