The Quesadilla Queen of Echo Park, Located on Echo Park Ave between Sunset Blvd and Montana Street (and my heart)- did not have to do much to get my attention. One look into her dancing hands and I knew she was taking my money.
Her hands held just-made, thick, Blue Corn (mais) tortillas – that soon plopped on the flattop, and transformed into one of her many flavorful Quesadillas…which were then consumed desperately by me. She “opens” at 2pm and is churning out delicious $2.50 snacks until the sky is black.
Oaxacan Quesadilla Cart
Neighborhood: Echo Park
1246 Echo Park Ave
Los Angeles, CA 90026
Options: Flor de Calabaza (Squash Blossoms), Hongo y Queso (Mushroom + Cheese), Huitlacoche (Corn + Fungus), Chicken, Chorizo y Papas (Chorizo + Potatoes).
What we ate:
Flor De Calabaza: Simple, with the main flavor coming from the cheese itself. The Squash blossoms pretty much just soak in the flavors of everything else – and since all the components are tasty – its a plus. SCORE: 7/10
Hongo Y Queso: Batter, Batter, SWING. Not a home-run…but definitely to 3rd base . Canned mushrooms + Cheese + salsa + blue corn tortilla = complete success. The texture of the canned mushrooms (though sounds strange) strangely works [chewy density w/ the semi-crispy tortilla]. SCORE: 8.3/10
Huitlacoche (Corn + Fungus): Huitlacoche was the one that put my tastebuds on high alert (in the best way possible) as there were so many competing but balanced textures and flavors (the sweetness of the corn; the earthiness of the mushroom; the saltiness of the cheese). Here’s your winner. SCORE: 8.7/10
Chorizo y Papas: Greasy, Mushy, Surprisingly flavorless. SCORE: 4/10
The Verdit: The Vegetarian options are the winners.. The only one I have not tried is the chicken – which I think I will continue to not try. Eat There….Eat The Veggie Options…And you can even tell people (try to believe it) that you’re being healthy.
