Andrew Lujan, his wife and two sisters opened Cacao Mexicatessen near the Eagle Rock Trader Joe’s on July 31. “The name was created in the attempt to brand the deli with a representation of a indigenous Mexican product such as cacao,” says Lujan. “Mexican food is often stereotyped to be comprised of chimichangas, nachos, etc. I felt as though our name represents a history of Mexican food that is rich in tradition.”
Lujan and his father own the building, a former mortgage company. His family runs Eufloria flower shop next door.
Lujan’s sister Christy is the chef and developed a more ambitious menu than Andrew initially anticipated, including Rellenos ($13.75) stuffed with mushrooms, cheese and jalapeño; sun-dried tomato, goat cheese and squash blossom; and cod with capers. You’ll find Camarones Echipotlados ($14.25) – shrimp with chipotle, garlic and citrus; El Puerco Borracho ($13.50) – pork belly cooked with pork belly, pintoc, tequila, Modelo beer, chilies and spices; and weekend-only menudo.
If you feel like tacos (pictured) or a torta, Christy Lujan also cooks those.
Cacao’s coffee program includes lattes flavored with cajeta, organic agave nectar and vanilla from Mexico’s Papantla region. You’ll find bottomless cups of drip coffee, ice blended frappes and specialty drinks flavored like the Azteca Mocha Latte seasoned with cinnamon, almonds, chile de arbol and chamomile. If coffee isn’t your thing, Cacao’s got you covered. Order a cool agua fresca, either jamaica or orange-pineapple, if it’s in season.
Cacao carries grab-and-go containers of salsa and Oaxacan mole: rojo, negro and Colorado.
Salsa fresca (8 oz. for $2, 16 oz. for $3) incorporates tomato, onion, jalapeño and lime. Salsa de Cruzita has more heat, with tomatillo, tomato, jalapeño, dried chile, garlic, lime, salt. Cacao also sells Mexican cheeses, including Grated Cotija (8 oz. for $1.50, 16 oz. from $4), Queso Fresco and Panela. 5 oz. bottles of Cacao hot sauce – habanero or chipotle – are on the tables and available for purchase.
Blog Comments
Lynell Baoloy
December 19, 2010 at 3:37 AM
Muchas Gracias for the hard “work” you put into your blog, Lynell Baoloy
Elizabeth Gaumer
September 2, 2010 at 9:03 PM
Good Write-up, Each and every Place is good Sufficient.Thanks for sharing with us your wisdom.
nowJannyDrura
August 24, 2010 at 5:05 PM
I just thought everyone should know they can get hatch green chile online now. I know I’m new, but I got all excited today when I found out. I’m new to the whole forum thing lol
hatch chile
Wakacje
June 20, 2010 at 9:59 AM
I find myself coming to your blog more and more often to the point where my visits are almost daily now!
Joshua Lurie
June 20, 2010 at 2:47 PM
Wakacje, daily visits to Food GPS are highly encouraged by the management.
free keno
November 12, 2009 at 3:05 AM
some very interesting points… but i think your research and bias leaves a lot to be desired… then of course, that’s just my opinion…
have a great day… definitely a thought-provoking post!
joe
October 30, 2009 at 11:41 PM
way over priced. portions were small-albondigas was good, taquitos ordinary(3 with rice and beans for$9.00+ ouch!) service was spotty & confused. food took forever to arrive. taco spot down the street much better. this isn’t nyc so why the outrageous prices, and they own the building! could be a winner if they get the service together and get real with the prices. when you have so many mexican restaurants so close you need to stay in the ballpark.
LaptopAces
October 30, 2009 at 12:44 PM
Thanks! Its realy cool. I think you make realy hard work.
partlyhere
October 1, 2009 at 5:45 AM
i just wanted to chime in and say nice design.
notsogood
September 15, 2009 at 11:05 AM
I was not impressed with the food or the service. First off, the place is nice, cozy and well decorated. It was nice to sit inside and check out all their stuff.
The service sucked. Figured I would try their skills out with the tacos. Ordered Carnitas, chorizo con papa and cochinita pibil. We sat down and waited and waited and waited, watching everyone else that ordered after us get their food. Turns out they forgot our order and tried to make it up to us with some guacamole (which was good) and an excuse that they had to make the chorizo.
The carnitas taco was good, but nothing stood out about it. The chorizo con papas had just a hint of chorizo and tasted more like an herb and potato taco. And the cochinita pibil got 2 thumbs down. It was bland in taste and the achiote did not stand out. However, I may be spoiled as I have had the ‘real’ cochinita and was probably looking forward to tasting something more authentic.
So will I be repeating? Not for the food, especially at their prices. I may go back to try their coffee as they did sound good…
Crorwarne
September 14, 2009 at 5:48 PM
Are you kidding me!!??? Swine FLU??? In sommer in heat? Is it even possible? I am from Cali and I disquieted! Stay in the pink!
poorfarm
September 5, 2009 at 3:24 AM
Looks like a good forum for whats going on.
Be back soon
poorfarm
timsilverworldtravels
August 29, 2009 at 1:09 AM
I am stoked to meet new people here. It appears to be a
good place!
I’m into playing sports.
Any fellow enthusiasts here?
Renee Dominique
August 7, 2009 at 10:15 PM
The food is amazing and the staff are all very friendly and service oriented.
The ambiance is colorful and pleasant. Soon it will join the legion of a few other local culinary delights in Eagle Rock to have people line up to wait for a table. It’s that good! Hurry before everyone knows about it!
Arsento
August 5, 2009 at 1:12 PM
Hmm… I read blogs on a similar topic, but i never visited your blog. I added it to favorites and i’ll be your constant reader.
brensesow
August 4, 2009 at 2:36 PM
Beautiful place
Cool domain http://www.foodgps.com
I like what you doing
To thanks you
I would like to give you this link
Online e-learning and pre-exam training – http://www.wwon.net
scizzbo
August 3, 2009 at 6:34 AM
Based on that last post I’m going to agree completely.
Got to go for now.
Cheers
Scizzbo
immeptifejinc
June 24, 2009 at 7:47 AM
I follow your posts for a long time and should tell that your articles always prove to be of a high value and quality for readers.
chielmibler
May 8, 2009 at 7:01 PM
Let me tell you about cooking, it’s not that hard how every body thing, some times it’s hard. This is my hobby and I know a lot about cook my grandma teach me how to do it right. Tell me if any body likes to cook? Can we share some recipe?
annextJat
April 15, 2009 at 1:39 AM
What’s included in my membership?
Joshua Lurie
April 15, 2009 at 2:45 PM
If you Subscribe to Food GPS, you’ll receive updates, newsletters and the L.A. BEER BLAST.
Vince Delmonte
April 14, 2009 at 6:38 PM
I can tell that this is not the first time you mention this topic. Why have you decided to write about it again?
Joshua Lurie
April 14, 2009 at 9:17 PM
Vince,
The goal is always to advance the story as new information becomes available.
mattatouille
April 8, 2009 at 10:40 AM
dang, looks like a nice spot, can’t believe i missed this release.