The ‘What We Do in the Shadows’ actor shows us his favorite Mexican-American joints and has our outfits judged by an actual cat.
Harvey Guillén likes the Los Angeles neighborhood Echo Park so much he ’s tempted to gatekeep it . " I almost do n’t want to tell everyone how great it is , " theWhat We Do in the Shadowsactor say in a recent consultation with Thrillist . " Because then it ’ll just get full ! "
Echo Park has everything Guillén could mayhap want from a neighborhood . Deep - rooted culture and account ? Check . A prominent Latinx community ? Check . homophile activism watershed ? Also check . And of trend , there is a Brobdingnagian selection of delicious Mexican restaurants and cafes that Guillén — a proud Mexican - American — swears by .
Guillén ’s Echo Park embody both Mexican custom and American transformation , and Guillén feels at home here . A straight born - and - raised Angeleno with Mexican root , he loves walk around the neighbourhood know it carries such a copious history . Plus , some of his go - to muscae volitantes include Americanized versions of reliable Mexican food — and he just have it off it when both his culture are combined together .
Thrillist/YouTube
In our serial " Ride With Me , " Guillén guides us through the finish and community of interests of Echo Park , spilling the afternoon tea on where to discover the absolute best hard - shell tacos and move over us tip on his pet thrifting computer memory . Juicy burritos , mango and sticky Timothy Miles Bindon Rice desserts , and gorgeous Downtown LA panorama are just some of what makes Guillén ’s Echo Park so special — and we ’re ready to experience every piece of it .
So carry your bags and fall with us — we’re blend to Echo Park .
Places to Eat & Drink
Los BurritosThe " green salsa versus red salsa " debate is n’t really one for Guillén . Green salsa just wins . At Los Burritos , a long - established Mexican eating place , he definitely always adds green salsa to his tacos .
His favorite ordering ? The tough - shell chicken taco . Do n’t get him haywire , he loves the authentic sonant - shell tacos , but he does like a crunch . " For me , it ’s a compounding of both traditional and Americanized , " he say . " Which is kind of like me ! "
Sticky RiceAt Sticky Rice , a Thai juncture featuring an open - airwave bar , it ’s imperative that you try out the curries . You ca n’t go wrong , fit in to Guillén .
At the same time , it ’s baffling for him to choose his favorite items because that always changes . Besides the curries , he extremely recommends the spring rolls and Tom Yum Su . " On a dusty Clarence Day , that ’s the unadulterated thing to have for dinner party , " he said .
But do n’t settle the visor before try the mango and sticky rice dessert . " That one ’s a great direction to eat up everything , " he said . " Like a button piece ! "
Tierra Mia CoffeeCafe Tierra Mia is a treasure treasure trove for caffein fans and abstainers alike . One of Guillén ’s absolute ducky is the Chocolate Mexicano Frappe — a stale , blended drink with the flavor of Mexican hot chocolate — because it reminds him of his abuelita ’s hot chocolate he used to pledge growing up .
Tierra Mia is a nostalgic and intimate spot for Guillén . It makes his thinker journey back to his puerility , and he make love to sit around down , sip on a drink , and do some writing by the window . " It has a really great actual kiosk by the window , " he tell . " And you may do [ some ] great people look on there . "
The Black CatThe Black Cat is a landmark in LA , and it pave the way for queer activism . " It was the first berth that in reality had LGBTQIA riots , " Guillén call back . " But it was n’t really publicise — so it was actually before Stonewall . "
Plus , they have great cocktail and tapas . His go - to wassail ? The Moscow mule , which is served in the traditional Cu cup and is super refreshful .
" Just being in that elbow room is just so invigorating , " said Guillén . " Just to love what has gone down and the the great unwashed who ’ve gone through those door and have paved the way for multitude like me . I ’m just happy that The Black Cat is still there and you may jaw it ! "
Things to Do
Sundays BestAt penny-pinching storage Sunday ’s well , the storage cat — named Sunday — will adjudicate your getup . " If you piece something and they do n’t like it , they ’ll give you a look , " Guillén warned .
Sunday ’s Best is his go - to salt away when he ’s looking for some estimable thrifting finds . One clip , he even found a vintage Dior cardigan from the sixties . have by his just friend Denisse and her partner Adriana , Sunday ’s Best is a major way destination for the Latinx community in Echo Park . " It ’s become a staple to those class who depend on it to clothe their whole crime syndicate for the year , " Guillén said .
Guillén shop at Sunday ’s in force for both himself and hisWhat We Do in the Shadowscharacter , Guillermo . " When I auditioned for the show , I go to Sunday ’s Best to pluck out something to help me land the role because I was trying to visualize what this eccentric would front like , " Guillén said . " finally , I did put pieces together that ended up being the palette for Guillermo . "
The Swan BoatsIf you ’re in the humor for some scenic physical exertion , pedaling off with the Swan Boats is what you need . And the scene of Downtown LA from the lake is just majestic .
It ’s the unadulterated date spot , but perhaps quash it on a first escort . To Guillén , it make best for a second or third day of the month , " where you ’re fine with sweating in front of the person ! "
