The Find: Get in line at La Cocina del Camaguey

Now this is the kind of fast food I can get behind.

Our "find" of the week is La Cocina del Camaguey which is pretty much the definition of a hole-in-the wall. They are a cash only, takeout only kind of joint, located in the back of the El Camaguey Meat Market on Venice Boulevard in Los Angeles. Let Bill Esparza fill you in on the details:

"...regulars line up for affordable, soulful Caribbean dishes such as arroz con pollo (rice with chicken), rabo encendido (braised oxtail) or mofongo (mashed plantains and cracklings).

La Cocina del Camaguey has been building a loyal customer base with its specials of the day: a savory beef picadillo (ground beef in a stew of tomatoes and peppers) or camarones al ajillo (garlic shrimp) accompanied by smoky herbal rice and beans served separately, or mixed together in the theologically integrated moros y cristianos (Moors and Christians). At $5.99, it's one of the best deals in town."

Read the rest of Bill's review here. And if you check out La Cocina, report back and tell us what you thought of it.

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--Rene Lynch
Twitter / renelynch

Some of the appetizers on the menu at La Cocina del Camaguey. (Anne Cusack / Los Angeles Times)

Comments

[Roz and Steve]

On the Westside - Great food, very friendly and great to watch and learn some great cooking advice. Very funny and friendly chief and great prices too. The deserts are delicious too! Worth going.

[Madeline]

I love this food! So tasty! The prices are great and the chef is friendly and funny. Two thumbs up!