Grub Time Story @ Loteria Grill / Farmers Market

Mexico City native Jimmy Shaw –
who admits that he has always loved
to cook – is the father of this little
gastronomic gem whose authentic
Mexican fare brims over with
traditional flavors and an abundance
of aromas emanating through the
maze resembling paths and alleys of
L.A.'s original Farmers Market – as
far as one's nose can discern.

Right in the heart of this little culinary
city with landmark status, sandwiched
between a Crêpe booth and a Beer &
Wine Bar, Loteria Grill is dishing up
distinctive fare to the swarming crowds,
feeding starving Grove shoppers,
catering to buzzing out-of-towners,
and pleasing Angelenos' taste buds with
freshly prepared, high-style street-side
grub that is based on family recipes that
generations have tested and perfected.

There is a mouth-watering reason why
this teeny weeny stand, equipped with a
unpretentious bar and those little iconic
Farmers Market green round tables and
chairs, has a seemingly never ending
waiting line to order: In the thick of an
ever-present hustle and bustle, Mexican
food devotees munch away on cult-
favorite tacos with succulent fillings
such as zucchini succotash or shrimps
bathed in Morita or Tomatillo salsa. All
Tacos come in freshly hand-made corn
tortillas. Burritos and enchiladas are
stuffed with black beans, while the
traditional brown rice is cooked with a
subtle mint flavor. Each dish includes
one choice of a meaty stuffing. Fresh-
made Guacamole comes sumptuously
enriched with cilantro, onion and
tomatoes which make for an elaborate
interplay of sweet and bitter flavors.
Home-made Guisos – traditional
Mexican stews that are served
throughout Mexico – turn every
dish into a traditional Mexican specialty. 

Diners order at the counter and will
receive a number which will be called
out by the Maitre d' as soon as the food
is prepared. Staff is friendly and
knowledgeable. Stop by at Loteria to
grab a snack or a whole meal at an
affordable price and soak up the lively,
laid-back vibe that engulfs this culinary
Mecca. 
While on the whole simply decorated,
the hut's side walls feature Loteria's
signature folk art: rustic drawings depict
magic suggesting (tarot) cards in which
next to every image the respective Spanish
term is written in caps. Diners chow down
and get a complimentary Spanish language
lesson alongside.