Who hasn’t struggled with fitting a nice traditional-ish piñata into their vehicle? Probably lots of people. But for those of us that have, the top of the car wouldn’t be an option because you don’t want to destroy the fine paper tassels that make all the difference in these gigantic super star party accessories. Those cones double as fancy candy baskets, nobody wants one without the flair: otherwise its just a rolled up piece of carton. In yet another technological coup for the piñata industry, and a bit of help from the oil barons, we can now protect the paper flourish of an item that will shortly be pummelled to death by the use of plastic bags over the fancy tips. Plastic bags, what can’t they do?

Next up: Piñata cones covered in reusable Trader Joe’s bags.

Next Next up: Very Green Pre-recycled piñata parties where they just squirt some locally sourced honey into your mouth after you violently turn a compost with a bat. Yay.

The last time we visited this place back in July of 2009 it was called Rodeo Express, they closed down some time after that to remodel and only re-opened a few months ago. If you don’t want to click on that link the review was underwhelming, and the place still had those uncomfortable cement benches from the Taco Bravo days.

Well they’ve definitely fixed it up with some nice outdoor tables.

And it ain’t too shabby inside either. Seems like this place is already popular with the locals.

They’ve also reduced the price of the HR’s by 2 bucks since last time, which is kinda crazy but okay! I’m sure they are trying to draw in the budget crowd and I guess it worked, but I bet it doesn’t last too much longer. Made me think of this song.

Although the plate looks similar to the last time, it was much better in this new incarnation. And no, not just cuz of the reduced price, although paying $4 for an HR breakfast is a real draw. They still go with the weird onion and bell pepper strips but it seemed less of a hindrance than last time. The sauce has some body in it, maybe New Mexico chiles or something similar, but it needs a touch of spicier chiles for my taste and possibly salt. Luckily they provide you with their quite decent king taco knock off salsas, a smoky, strong red, and a savory but slightly tart green one, so you can adjust to your proper needs. I did. The eggs were cooked quite nicely this time around, I asked for them over medium and they came out right. The tortillas underneath are not fried, I guess you can’t have it all. The beans and rice were very fresh. It came with my choice of tortillas de harina on the side (oh yeah!) to complete the eating experience. Another selling point: they are open from 10am-9pm, one of the few LH eateries to stay open later, and they serve breakfast all day!

Seriously, for 4 bucks you can’t go wrong. This isn’t a plate I’d drive across town to have but if I am running around LH doing my mandado and I need a quick bite to eat, you better believe this dish is going to be high on my list of options.

Little Rodeo  323.221.2801
3500 N. Broadway Bl
Lincoln Heights 90031
Little Rodeo Facebook Page

I didn’t see the OG zombie rising from the dead, but I did see a few street people playing the role. I also seen a few other things on this ignorable Sunday. Here are some pics.

Even though I am partial to the circle A, I thought the square one was a good sign.

Lots of work for a badly spelled sign. I plan to eat there soon.

The new South Los Angeles Wetland Park is kinda cool, lots of birds are already using this small green oasis within the concrete tundra of urbanity.

No walking on water for you Jesus!

Random nice building that I can imagine being put to some socially worthwhile purposes.

The Bagel Factory where all great Sara Lee bagels are born. Yup.

Nazi saluting muffler.

The shit to be smashed district.

Toilet Paper Obstacles. If I were a video game character these might be worthwhile jumping over.

Unlocked bike just asking to be stolen. If I was walking I would oblige.

Rabbit Bandini? What does that mean? I don’t care, has to make sense for Easter. Somehow.

Nearby, Jesus looms over LA.

On my way back home, a creepy bunny salutes my return to Lincoln Heights. Seems appropriate.

BONUS! BONUS! BONUS!

Since you’ve read this far I think you deserve some more torture with one of my crappy breakfast reviews. What will it be this time?

Huevos Rancheros: Pacific Dining Car

How we ended up in this pricey eatery shall not be discussed, but yes, I was here. And I didn’t ditch out on my bill!

They seemed to have many reservations this Easter morning, but they found a place for us in the back. It’s quite nice back there but it is unnervingly quiet. There were some muffled sounds of the futbol match the waiters were watching.

Silverware means fanciness all around. Look at how they curl the butter!

When I asked the Spanish speaking waiter if he had an opinion on the Huevos Rancheros he seemed hesitant, and then said they were good but noted they could add some serranos to make them more to my liking. I thought this was a strange but appropriate suggestion, he must know something. Custom HR’s it is.

They turned out to be an okay breakfast dish, I got what I expected. The tortillas were just heated, not fried. The eggs were a bit over cooked but not exceptionally so. They added some needless half of an avocado on top, inappropriate but whatever. I’m down with hash browns yo! The sauce is more of the marinara variety, kinda sweet and full of onions or veggies, but tasty enough. The addition of serranos certainly helped. Other than the look of the place and crazy attentive service that they provide, the actual HR’s were nothing memorable, though their other breakfast fare was quite rich and tasty. For the 20 bucks they cost, I could point you to many better tasting and better value options all around town.

But this is certainly the kind of place you want to show off to visitors. Just make sure they order something more appropriate.

Pacific Dining Car   213.483.6000
1310 West 6th Street
Los Angeles, CA 90017
www.pacificdiningcar.com

North East Los Angeles is definitely on the road to regrettable gentrification,  as richer people start to buy up the places poorer people didn’t even think were worth owning. Crappy homes bought by shitty people. What will become of the neighborhood? Take a guess. The most astounding part of this process of displacing the poor is the delusions of all parties involved. Those with money invest in “up and coming” areas (barf!) with the hopes that they can flip their investment and cash out. Mostly they do succeed. And the poor think that the arrival of fancy shops somehow means they will be miraculously included into that world and be able to enjoy some luxuries in their transformed neighborhood. They tend to get priced out of the hood before the conveniently located Starbucks or Yogurtland they so desperately want actually opens.

The delusions, expectations, and realities do not match up. I laugh the most when I hear that people want nice things locally, that the community is ready to support fancy shops in non-fancy neighborhoods. According to the internet, your “upscale” store concept will always be a success, and locals will flock to it because they want nice things in a community rampant with poverty. It rarely pans out.

I had been planning to write a long post at some point of all the failed local businesses that tried to cater to the fancy lads, but I keep pushing it further back. Maybe I will just start from now and mention the latest failures, the store closures most boosters try to ignore. Even though I did appreciate Figueroa Produce and bought stuff from there regularly, I knew it was going to come to an end eventually.

And it has. The promise of support that locals claimed would materialize for this grocery store seem to have been false. The internet lies again.

Everything means something. Nothing means anything. People like to ascribe significance to mundane happenings or to belittle significant acts as irrelevant. All the time. It is a human habit.

Having vanquished the ghosts of my Catholic upbringing I can now see signs as I want to see them and parse them as best suits my needs. It’s a better way to live.

But not all is good. Take this photo above, it was some sort of mini or model plane, drone-like, flying over El Centro. Shit freaked me out. Soon we will find out the sinister plans of these silent lil’ planes.

I saw more signs all week, click ahead if you’d like to see me read the tea leaves.

Everyone’s favorite Mini-Mall is now closed, waiting for some real estate jerk to do something stupid to the building. RIP LH MINI MALL!

Not that we didn’t see it coming.

Gentrification: it’s contagious!

We were at the Asshole Festival calling out the names that need to be dragged thru the mud! Seriously, TAP cards are the worst. I forgot to bring my copy of the LA Weekly to add to the wall though.

One politician covers up the next. A never ending cycle of mediocrity, disguised as a significant or necessary step in some sort of democratic process. People know better, power lies elsewhere. Let the babies cry about the lack of participation, it reveals more than they want to see.

The Saddest Mall In The World? Likely.

Too many have been lost this week. Our old pal Juh-Ahn’s is now a very American “Bill’s”. The owner is still the friendly Korean fellow though, last I checked.

They remodelled this glass business a few years ago, adding fancy glass doors but I guess La Crisis has hit them hard or the rent went up. Send your complaints or money to some landowner in the 310.

I think this is a sign I need to finally settle down and plan for that special day.

It’s going to look perfect on me!

On the other hand, some kids just like to have fun.

This restaurant is now closed and I never got to try it. Why? Cuz of that stupid backwards-cap-wearing-flag-waving-baby character on their sign! They make these for all nationalities and can be found as stickers on many cars. Blech.

Fading into oblivion. Bye bye Bi Rite.

Punk Colors and Mo/Fro Hawks. The look is no longer a threat but a selling point. Time to regroup.

The ugliest building in LH has been hosting a fairly crappy “swap meet” for some time, a developer dream gone wrong. Now the signs out front keep rotating and it makes for interesting reading of the changing times and stalls. I know lots of local busy bodies hate this kind of signage but I am partial to its homespun charms.

What I don’t like are these bullshit attempts at making us see gigantic digital advertisements all over the city and highways everywhere and all day long. Over at the CVS some paid signature collectors (with a terrible sign that read “Make more safe neighborhoods”) were trying to get me and others to join the cause of the rich fat cats at Clear Channel Outdoor to make it nice and easy for them to pollute our public visual space. They were pitching their intrusive advertisements and garbage business model as being good for public safety, faster Amber Alerts, and helpful to non-profit organizations. HAHA! Fuck You!

Look, even in “better” neighborhoods like Pasadena you can find similar signage.

And finally, under a headboard, two cans of beans. I think this means I will dream of wonderful foods tonight! Wish me luck.

Flaunting their wealth in front of their fancy new high school…

…mocking all those poor people in their neighboring communities…

… by muscling in on the Cholo Car Wash Industry, only to give it away for free.

That’s not right, aye!