In case you didn’t already know, The Taste of Mexico will have its third annual festival on Oct. 11.

FRIDA Mexican Cuisine, La Casita Mexicana, Guelaguetza Restaurant and La Monarca Bakery are the founding restaurants that make up The Taste of Mexico Association with goals to promote authentic Mexican cuisine.

At this year’s event, you can experience what special dishes and surprises all four restaurants have to offer. But first, here’s a little background information and interesting facts you might not have known about each establishment.

FRIDA Mexican Cuisine: Vicente Del Rio was born and raised in Mexico City. He moved to Los Angeles and opened his first restaurant in Beverly Hills in 2002. Ever since, he has expanded to six different locations all over. The famous artist, Frida Khalo, who was known for her culinary skills, inspired the name of the restaurant. They offer a variety of dishes ranging from tacos to ceviche and mole dishes. They serve tequila the way Mexico does it: with a side of Sangrita, which is a mixture of Tabasco, tomato juice and spice.
Website: fridarestaurant.com

La Casita Mexicana: The chef duo Jaime Martin Del Campo and Ramiro Arvizu are the masterminds behind this restaurant. There aren’t any boring tacos or burritos on the menu, instead plenty of mole dishes. Their signature dish is Tres Moles, which has either chicken or pork covered in three different kinds of mole sauces. But the real treat is their dessert: cinnamon and sugar covered mini churros with caramel filling.
Website: casitamex.com

Guelaguetza Restaurant: The Lopez family owned the restaurant and wanted to bring Oaxacan flavors to Koreatown. There are several traditional Oaxacan dishes, and yet this restaurant is most well known for its mole sauces. To sample all sauces, the family-style Festival de Moles is the perfect dish. It includes four types of sauces, chicken, rice and tortilla. Another interesting dish that may not be on the menu is chapulines or fried grasshoppers if anyone is game.
Website: ilovemole.com

La Monarca Bakery: Ricardo Cervantes and Alfredo Livas grew up in Monterrey, Mexico and loved Mexican pastries. When they moved to L.A., they found none that reminded them of home, so they created La Monarca Bakery. The food choices range from pan dulces and Tres Leches cakes to savory sandwiches and coffees. All the pastries are fresh baked and made from scratch. The bakery offers seasonal items for holidays such as Pan de Muerto for the Day of the Dead.
Website: lamonarcabaker.com

Each restaurant offers various types of foods, but they all have same goals: promote authentic Mexican flavors and to teach Angelenos about the different Mexican cultures. Make sure you attend The Taste of Mexico event to see what these four (and other L.A. restaurants) have to offer.
 

*SPECIAL PRESALE OFFERS*
For $10 Off VIP Admission, use code CCVIP.
For $5 Off General Admission, use code CCGA.
Click here for more information on purchasing tickets.

The 3rd Annual The Taste of Mexico takes place on Friday, Oct. 11 from 5 p.m. to 11 p.m. at LA Plaza de Cultura y Artes (501 North Main Street, Los Angeles, Calif. 90012). For more information on the event, click here.