Exclusive Premiere: La Comida del Barrio with Aarón Sánchez Hits Boyle Heights
Chef Aarón Sánchez is back where it all started. Over twenty years after his first cookbook, he returns to explore the heart, flavor, and people of the barrios in “La Comida del Barrio con Aarón Sánchez”. This first episode premieres exclusively on wearecocina.com. For Aarón, el barrio isn’t just a neighborhood—it’s family, heritage, and pride. Boyle Heights, with its vibrant Latin community, is the perfect place to kick things off.
Boyle Heights: Flavor, History, and Community
Boyle Heights has long been a cultural hub in Los Angeles. From its early days as Paredón Blanco to becoming a vibrant center for the Latin community after World War II, the neighborhood reflects generations of migration, resilience, and creativity.
In La Comida del Barrio, Aarón Sánchez dives into that flavor and soul, showing how food carries history and identity.
Stop 1: El Tepeyac Café
Founded in 1956, El Tepeyac Café is a Boyle Heights institution. Known primarily as a breakfast spot, it’s famous for its Hollenbeck burrito, loaded with green peppers and more filling than your average burrito—proof that sometimes, size really does matter. For Aarón, a visit here is more than a meal; it’s a nod to the longstanding community roots and the classic flavors that have defined the neighborhood for decades.
Stop 2: Guisados
Since 2010, Guisados has brought homestyle braises on handmade corn tortillas to the heart of Boyle Heights. While the restaurant itself is relatively new, the family behind it has been part of the neighborhood since the late 1960s. Signature dishes like chicharrón in salsa verde and chuleta en chile verde showcase the depth of traditional Mexican flavors. Don’t miss the simple but perfectly refreshing pepino con limón, which Aarón cheekily notes outshines any “fancy juice from a Whole Paycheck”. And of course, the spot’s infamous beverages round out the authentic barrio experience.
Stop 3: Mariscos Jalisco
Mariscos Jalisco, a food truck born in 2002, brings the taste of Jalisco to Boyle Heights streets. From tacos de camarón to the creative Taco Tritón and Taco Poseidón, the truck proves that gourmet-quality seafood doesn’t need a white tablecloth. Aarón also savors the tostada de ceviche and fresh oysters, highlighting how street food can be both casual and beautifully plated.
A Journey Through Flavor and Community
As Aarón strolls along César Chávez Boulevard, it becomes clear that la comida del barrio is about more than recipes—it’s about people, history, and resilience. From the classic cafés to family-owned taquerías and inventive food trucks, each stop tells a story of the neighborhood’s identity and soul. Boyle Heights isn’t just a backdrop—it’s the protagonist.
With this exclusive premiere on wearecocina.com today, viewers can experience the sights, smells, and stories of Boyle Heights firsthand. This first episode sets the tone for a series that will explore Latin neighborhoods across the country, showing how la comida del barrio brings flavor, pride, and community to every table.