I Love Lucy’s
Three weeks ago I told Victor about this idea I had for a three-part review of the three taco shacks within walking distance of my apartment in the La Brea/Olympic area. Victor was thrilled. “Perhaps, we could include topographical maps of the neighborhood, with markers noting the various taco bazaars you frequent near your manse,” Victor said. “In fact, I am envisioning a sort of triptych, where readers will be able 
to learn about El Burrito Jr., Lucy’s Drive-In, and [redacted] Taco Truck with a combination of text and imagery,” I replied. Fast forward 21 days and I’ve not yet been to El Burrito Jr. (too busy, too challenging of a name) And the excellent taco truck disappeared into the mist (like a phantom) two weeks ago, only to reappear yesterday. Last night I spoke with the truck’s owners, who said an emergency in Guadalajara had kept them away from their spot in a car repair shop’s parking lot at the corner of La Brea and Olympic. The tacos and burritos from the truck, which serves Jalisco region fare, are superb. The owners of the truck were wary of me, what with my notepad, and little journalist’s visor. They don’t want me printing the name of the truck until they’ve talked it over. Once they have agreed to grant me access, I will write about their savory al pastor burritos, spiced with cumin and chiles. Until then, here are some thoughts about Lucy’s…
Lucy’s (1373 S. La Brea Ave., on the corner of La Brea and Pico) is an interesting deal – a drive-thru Mexican joint that isn’t a chain eatery. When I first moved to the neighborhood in September I stopped by the place and ordered a few crispy meat-based tacos. They were a little too cheesy. The tacos came covered in a white/melted/molten mass of foul-tasting cheese that disagreed with me. Then, my buddy told me his parents once saw someone get shot in the head while in line for some taquitos. Would I ever visit Lucy’s again? Of course, and I was awarded for my patience. Subsequent journeys there have indicated that the nasty cheese was an aberration; in fact, the crispy treats are pretty good. But, the thing to order is a burrito. I prefer the carne asada concoction with rice and beans. The meat is flavorful and the pinto beans are quite good. One thing I truly enjoy about Lucy’s is its breakfast menu. The Spanish omelet comes filled with (good, moderately applied) cheese and is smothered in a red sauce. It’s a heavy breakfast – perfect for a hungover Sunday morning. Oh, it turns out no one got shot in the head at Lucy’s – my friends’ parents merely saw a drunken patron pull out a gun and wave it around before stuffing the piece back in his pants. Soon to come: a review of [redacted] Taco Truck.
I am in full support of The Great Taco Project in which a taco-interactive map of the greater Los Angeles area is displayed on the internets and I would like to go ahead and cast my vote now for the Rincon Taurino on Van Nuys Blvd. In Pacoima. YUMMMMY. They soak the carne asada in beer overnight to tenderize. SO GOOD.
Although… for the sake of research and pure science… I would be willing to sample all the tacos in Los Angeles.
Such is my commitment to science.
There’s another Lucy’s down on Pico towards downtown. Basically looks exactly like the one on la brea. I haven’t been to either yet but you’ve got me jonesing to hit one or both now.
There’s also a Lucy’s on Washington, at either Vermont or Hoover. I considered hitting that last night when coming home late from USC but decided to stick with Chano’s.
The final Lucy’s is located at the intersection of Imperial Highway and Western. I have to say their Cheeseburger combo (burger, fries, salad, drink for 3 bucks and change) is the best deal in town, but the tacos are better.
High-quality burrito joint alert: Que Rico’s, at Melrose and Vermont (right across from LACC). A little pricey–you’re not going to walk out of there for under $6–but DAMNATION do they make a good burrito. Not too greasy, a perfect mixture of spices, and their meats are excellent.
You’ve shamed me. I’ve lived in the Olympic “Longwood Highlands” La Brea hood for five years, and I’ve never mustered the courage to visit Lucy’s. I’ve been eyeing that taco truck. I think I’ll have to visit today.
No way, that’s awesome you live in the L.Highlands. I’m thinking of investigating the origins of the name of the neighborhood anyways. Have any tips about other restaurants? I could tell you which dry cleaner I use. I live on [redacted], where the sweet smells of Kentucky Fried Chicken grease waft over my backyard fence and into my bedroom…
Man, I wish I could live in Longwood Highlands–I nearly signed a lease on a 3BR/2BA upper unit in an amazing 1928 duplex on Longwood, but the #4 guy bailed on me. Gorgeous nabe.
It’s Mid-City — get over yourselves.
i got chatted up by bishop don magic juan at lucy’s. they also have good tortas, fyi.
Geoff clearly speaks like a man who’s never walked those streets. I bet he lives in Brentwood–Brentwood adjacent, that is.
Oh man. Longwood Highlands is so beautiful. The sycamores, man. THE GIANT SYCAMORES. Also, the giant mansions that are actually cleverly concealed duplexes.
FYI I live in Beverly Hills adjacent (no joke, such is my reality). My initial comment was intended to razz Daniel, who beams with pride over the gentrification of his beloved Highlands. But if/when Joachim Splichal opens up “Pinot Mid-City” at La Brea and Edgewood…
I just wish there were a better 24-hour burrito joint within walking distance of Venice and Overland than Cinco de Mayo (Sepulveda/Washington Place), which is a greasy hellhole with crappy meat.
Alright, I think the jiving and joshing has gone on long enough. My next post for this site will detail the Longwood Highlands separatist movement of 1911 and the truth about mid-city, Beverly Hills-adjacent, and Miracle Mile neighborhood place names.
skip the investigation into mindless questions like “beverly hills adjacent”… a smoky backroom meeting at westside rentals corporate headquarters no doubt. but what the hell is the story behind “vinegar hill”? http://www.lacity.org/PLN/complan/othrplan/oparea/vinegarpage.htm
Excuse me, but I am offended. We Adjacentites have had a long and colorful history being sandwiched between Beverly Hills and Beverlywood long before Westside Rentals. And along the lines of “Vinegar Hill,” what is the deal with the “Byzantine-Latino Quarter?” Is Pico and Normandie in Constantinople?
Neighborhood name invention/revival has reached great heights in “South Los Angeles.” “Chesterfield Square?” “Canterbury Knolls?” “Athens-on-the-Hill?” WTF?
I got an al pastor burrito from the Olympic/La Brea taco truck, and DAMN that was good. I thought I should just kill myself after the first bite, because I knew that life wasn’t going to get any better.
[...] Yes, I’ve been gone for a bit. I went away to blogging school, did a few extension classes when money got tight, but passed the finals and got my degree. Since graduating, I’ve started my own blog, L.A. Smog Blog. There you will find my review of El Burrito Jr., which completes my reviewing of the Mid-City taco triumvirate, which began on this site with reviews of El Pecas #2 and Lucy’s. If you wanted to, you could easily walk to all three of these La Brea Ave. establishments for a full day of taco fun. I do it every other Sunday with a group of friends. Try it. Also, here’s a visual aid if you do decide to take the Mid-City taco walking tour. Print this map out and you are set: [...]
[...] Ten beef tacos, señor. Extra cheese. And the chips that you got at the store, lookie here Now I just passed Oki-Dog, I’m headed toward Lucy’s Past the Roscoe’s–they can keep them waffles [...]
I live down the street from Lucy’s and I LOVE LOVE LOVE it.
My favorite things to order:
Shrimp Diablo – spicy spicy spicy!
Carne Asada burrito – with rice! These are addicting!
Fresh squeezed carrot juice – healthy!
Any one of their breakfasts – very hearty! And true, GREAT hangover breakfasts!
btw, Longwood Highlands is THA BOMB. Best neighborhood I have ever lived in.