munchies: T.V. Cafe

The T.V. Cafe, open 24 hours, on the corner of Olympic Blvd. and Alameda has been a truck stop diner for many, many years. When I was a kid it was one of the last "Sambo's" restaurants before they went bankrupt. For the last twenty years as T.V. Cafe it has served all types of Pachucoville residents, but the majority is mostly working class Raza who during the day have lunch, or at night are stopping in on the way home from a club.

Growing up in So. Central, I would pass that corner on my way to my aunt's in Boyle Heights or my uncle's in El Sereno. I remember when I was like 6 or 7 seven years old asking my mom about it when I saw the little kid as the logo when it was part of the "Sambo's Restaurant" chain. She told me that people were mad because it made fun of black people by calling them "Sambo" and showing a little kid with pancakes and syrup, and something about Aunt Jemima. At that age I didn't get it completely, but I knew peeps could get upset about stuff that others thought was ok to make fun of. We never stopped to eat there, even when it briefly turned into a Denny's.

In my late teens my friend Manglor, a photographer, moved into some lofts on Molino off of 4th street. This was during the Al's Bar era of the area. After one night of partying at Manglor's he suggested we go try the best vegetarian burrito in the world. So we piled in to the Fox and rolled up on T.V. Cafe. I have not stopped going there for the #31 veggie burrito since then.

Manglor was also a fan of the "Works Burger." Over the years friends of mine like Johnny Blaze, love the breakfast that is served most of time at anytime. I have also tried their cocido and it's pretty damn good. What seals the deal with T.V Cafe is their hot sauce. It is hot and tasty. Not for the weak.

As the gentrification of downtown continues to ooze east, we'll see how T.V. Cafe handles the changes. During the day the corner is bustling with semi trucks and all sorts of commercial traffic. The Los Angeles Produce and Flower Marts are just two of the large industries orbiting Olympic and Alameda. There is also large swap meet/insta food court growing up down Olympic. In the last ten years, American Apparel opened their main factory and Farmer Boy's opened up down Alameda, and also open 24 hours, has given T.V. Cafe a higher profile.

I go there to get away from B.H. There is always a family there eating when I get there. I sit alone and watch TV or listen in on conversations. I was once there for a small earthquake that made the lights sway above our heads. We all looked around and after a few Chingaos! Agus! and an Aye Carey! we all went back to our food.

The Best BEAN Burritos

It is late, it has been a long day, the only thing that would be good for me at this time of the night/morning is a great bean burrito. A bean burrito is not that bad for you, unless of course they have lard, but then again we might be immune to that. Positive mindset, remember. Best of all most bean burritos are very inexpensive and don't really count as a full meal. They are more like a great snack. The following are some of my favorites, I won't say where they are at exactly because I don't want a big long line ahead of me when I get there. But if you really need to know I will tell you personally.

#1
AL & BEA's
Classic. Simple. Beans and cheese with either Red or Green Chile. The beans are thick, not paste like but they stick to the tortilla. I like to ask for the Bean and cheese with potatos and rice. That is making more like a meal but hey they make 'em by special request. At this spot potatos mean french fries! How Chicano is that! French fries in a burrito with beans and cheese, dang! Then add in the rice ay ay ay.

#2
J&S (open 24 hrs)
This is another classic spot with old school flavor in spades. This is just simply beans and cheese. The frijole consistency here is about the same as Al & Bea's, but be careful these might spill out of their tortilla a little easier. Their salsas and hot sauces are very good, thick and flavorful. Mouthwatering just to sniff them. This spot also has the ubber Chicano Chile Relleno Burrito and a kick ass breakfast burrito they sell at anytime.

#3
Poquito Mas (various locations)
These are bigger and cost a lil mas but they are grilled and very tasty. Want to be a little bad? Add the carnitas for a couple of bucks more. These burritos need to be handled with cari~o or they might make a mess. Maybe the workers think that since a lot of gringos eat here, and you know they use forks on their burritos, they might not roll them as good if they were serving a Chicano/a population whose cool level is measured by whether or not a burrito falls apart in their hands while eating.

#4 King Taco

(various locations)
Yes, ofcourse, why would anyone go to King Taco for just a bean burrito? Well, maybe it's lent? It is coming up right? Maybe you went vegetarian? Maybe you can't afford the rotisserie chicken or a meat burrito (which are overpriced IMO)? Whatever, these are very good simply because they use the ever loved King Taco Green sauce. Be real trucha with these burritos they will fall apart. The workers are so used to making them with meat and rice that the beans they use are very runny and will break out of their tortilla making you look stoooopid in front of all the Raza in the casa.

#5
T.V. Cafe (24 hrs)
If you have ever been out with me long enough, you know the drill. The #31, the Famous T.V. Cafe Vegetarian Burrito. I know it is not a bean burrito, but it is damn good burrito that is made damn good because of damn good beans. You owe it to yourself to try this burrito out. The mix of the beans with their sour cream, guacamole and great hot sauce, oh my. I need to control myself from gettin in the ride and getting one. This is very filling and can be considered a meal in itself. Usually they maintain their body because all the stuff that goes into it sticks together.

Ah, I feel better. I feel satisfied without the fear of being gassy. I guess writing about food is kinda like cooking it. After you are done you aren't hungry anymore.

Got any burritos I should try? Por favor let me in on your secrets...