La Cocina

If you’re from this part of the hood then you know this place is legit! Now if you’re a tourist then let me tell you!
This is Inexpensive and authentic Mexican food. The gorditas are hand made and there is so many meats to choose from like asada, adovo, pork, and chicken. This place never fails always on point. I always get a gordita and a sope. The sope comes with beans, meat, rice, and lechuga. Besides the food they have like tacos, burritos, flautas, and quesadillas they have some really delicious aguas frescas, that is natural waters made of strawberry, Jamaica, and tamarindo. Best horchata u will have too it’s so tasteful I always get the large cup.
Service comes without the fluff it’s a toot it and boot it kinda spot so don’t expect table service you walk up, order, and pick up your food. Regardless it’s prenominal and the real deal.

This is one of those places that just serve real authentic Mexican food, and one of those places that remind me of growing up in California.
I finally revisited this place after years! I got my usual order: 1 gordita de chicharrón seco and 1 de tripas and an horchata. One word: AMAZING! They came out fast and fresh. They were still crispy, greasy, and HOT. That initial bite just melted in my mouth and brought back so many memories of my childhood. The chicharrón was a nice contrast between the softness of the gordita, and the tripas were just luscious goodness. Of course I HAD to order some to go. They weren’t as fresh once I got back to Vegas but a little warming up on the comal and they were just as yummy.
For those that haven’t been here: the eating space is cramped and always packed, so don’t be surprised when the long table has one person sitting on it and they tell you it’s being saved for a whole family.
Hispanic or not, this is one of those places you NEED to try in LA.

Best GORDITAS ever, hands down no other place comes close to this spot. Every time I introduce friends to this spot, they become addicted. I keep it simple with ordering your basic «Gordita de Asada» but I know that they have a whole array of different meats, have to pair with a cold Mexican coke to complete the meal. Seating is first come first serve, and weekends are super beyond packed (for a reason).

La comida aquí siempre esta buena pero hoy si se pasaron los frijoles estaban acedos ocea echados a perder y les reclamamos y sin embargo nos ignoraron y los siguieron sirviendo dijeron que no sabían de lo que estábamos ablando CHALES que decepción más cuidado la próxima vez.

Located in a very popular marketplace it is essentially the best go to spot for gorditas! I enjoy the salsa verde and chicharron ones! El mercadito is the best place for Mexican antojitos. You can find an array of things from raspados naturales, tostilocos, gelatinas, to panaderias! Most stores are cash only so be prepared! Also parking is a bit crazy so come early and avoid at all costs coming to my this place Sunday’s! Enjoy

I was in the area and recalled this place as a place my dad used to bring me to have real gorditas. In the past, this was one of the only places that would service gorditas (stuffed tortilla, Mexican pita, little fat girls, whatever you want to translate it too) with the real chicharron (pork rinds), not the chicharron with the guisado or salsa, if you are familiar with authentic Mexican food, then you know the crunchy stuff I am talking about.
On my most recent visit, I was sad, the chicarron was soggy. Boooo!
I also has a tripa (guts) taco along with a cabeza (head) taco, they were tasty, but the hot sauce should they used was actually a «salt sauce» I just about gagged it was so salty. Regardless, I think I would try again, in hopes that this was a fluke and that I will remember to ask for the sauce on the side.
This is in a Mercado style (open mini mall with many little shops) with several stores and food establishments. This place is on the parking entrance on the far left side. «A greasy spoon» sort of place.

Food is very tasty… can’t decide what I want every time I go. I highly recommend this place.
Must get there early!!! It gets crowded and it’s hard to find to a table to sit.

Love the chilaquiles here. red or green very delicious. we come every two weeks to have this.

Love eating here whenever I come to el mercadito. The Gorditas de carnitas are the best. I always leave this place very full and never regret eating here and this says a lot cuz I’m a very picky eater A+++

Coming here as a kid eating the Gorditas, freshly made… mmmm. I got a chance to relive that this past weekend. OMG, sooo good. Small place inside the Placita Olvera. Fresh food, not expensive, but lines do get long on the weekend.

Been coming here for years since I was a kid. One word BOMB! Gorditas. they are really good I usually like the chicharrón and tripas. Very good it gets super packed on weekends so I suggest going early or during the week. Small place so seating is limited but sometimes you can sit with another party some raza don’t mind.

Aqui para gorditas no se andan con pen… Its all good, carnitas, buche, tripas, chicharron, chile verde. You cant go wrong with their meats. Dont forget the zanaoria and jalapeño en vinagre and your agua fresca. Es todo, enjoy your meal.

Tacos tacos tacos :)) good place with a lot of antojitos Mexicanos. Try the fresh squeeze juice. 4 stars because the place tables and area looks messy/​long lines. Can be cleaner tables but it’s ela so… Yea. Try the corn on the cob with everything. Outside this place

If you want authentic mexican street style food from mexico, this is the place to go. This place is known for their gorditas and they make the masa there too. Make sure you try that first; everything else is good too. I always get a burrito de tripas with a gordita. Yes I am a fatass but it is so good. The food is greasy and very unhealthy but this is how real mexican food is. If you want legit mexican food than this is the place to go. You won’t regret it. I have been coming here since I was 3 years old!
Coming here to el mercadito gives you a feeling you are in mexico. Great place to bring friends and family.

Really like this place for some hand made gorditas!!! Really enjoyed it
I took my friends who are from up north and they also enjoyed the hand made gorditas.
Also their tacos and of course torta de carnitas.

I’ve been coming here for 25 yrs; their delicious meals have been consistent ever since. delicious beans, salsas and meats r on their gorditas and tacos. the rest of their dishes are the bomb try them ALL. don’t sleep on this Los Angeles hot spot!

Great gorditas the carnitas rock. The gorditas are made by hand and you can taste the corn. These are genuine Michoacán carnitas thus they are delicious. I like the mercado environment feels like you are in Mexico. If you go in at lunch time be prepared to wait as this place gets packed.

Chicharron, carnitas, asada. .no matter what u get its all good! After enjoying your meal make sure to pick up a corn tamale you will not regret it.

This is gordita heaven. All this time coming to El Mercadito I’ve been eating in the wrong place upstairs. So glad a friend stir me the right way. Their specialty is gorditas but they have other food too. My favorite meet there is the buche & chicharron, but they have many others. They have agua frescas which is always a plus. All I know is that I’ve been craving their gorditas ever since and I wouldn’t go any other place to get them.

My parents have been going to this place for many years since I was a little kid. I want to say that their highlight of it all is their gorditas, which are DELICIOUS! However, I must say that they used to be greasy back then, including their other menu items, but that has totally changed, which in reality now I give it the rating that is above.
Also, I do recommend their tacos and aguas frescas, which are freshly made.

This place is tasty, with a capital «T.» La Cocina sticks to the basics and makes it well, on top of being able to purchase pork products (e.g. chicharron/​pork rinds) by the pound. Friendly staff, great menu, and the addition of the juice/​smoothie bar, makes it a «must visit» when in the neighborhood.
A signature on their menu are the «gorditas.» You can have one made with chicharron, carne asada, carnitas, lengua, buche, and more. They come perfect made with lettuce, refried beans, chile, inside a fresh, warm, and tasty corn gordita (similar to a sope but it’s thick and opened half-​way to be filled).
On top of gorditas, La Cocina has your bases covered. Serving tacos, tortas, burritos, and cocidos. All dinner plates come with rice and beans. And don’t forget to grab some jalapenos and pickled carrots to go with your meals. Don’t miss out! This place is delicious. But get there at the right time, skip the sunday rush and lunch rush, so you can sit back and enjoy this traditional East LA landmark.