Juanita’s Cafe

For $ 2.00, I just ate two delicious, authentic, taquitos complete with lettuce, sour cream, and salsa. I couldn’t get a side of sour cream for that at most DTLA eateries. This gem has the most delicious pupusas I have ever had. Everything looks delish! Venture out and support this hidden gem. The patrons are not the smart-​phone, «yelping» type because they are native salvadoreños and mexicanos that know a good spot, but may not be as up to date with their apps. Try it!

Ugh, I’m torn about this place, really. I’ve been here a couple of times in the past, and the food has been so bomb!!! But yesterday I came during lunchtime when I had to serve jury duty, and walked a long time to get my favorite meal here. I arrived and when I asked for my order, they told me their only food available was from the hot case. I was so disappointed because I had been craving their food for so long and walked about a mile or more to get there. Since I didn’t want to walk more, and was running out of time, I just got food from their hot case. Myah. I’m pretty sure I’ll come back again, because their cooked food is bomb. I love how their tortillas are freshly made by hand, and the food tastes authentic, like if I was in Mexico eating mexican food. try it

I eat here at least two times a week. And I’m always the only gringo in the place. This is definitely a place the locals know about and I feel like I’m in on the best kept secret downtown. I’ve taken some of my Hispanic coworkers and they all love the place too. They certify it as authentic and that’s good enough for me.
Every time I go I can try something new. The items of the day rotate and I’ve had everything from pupusas, to chicken in green mole sauce, delicious caldo on those cold cloudy days, steak cooked with fried onions and potatoes. It’s a little bit of an adventure every time I order since there is no menu written down, but I’ve enjoyed every dish I have tried. The best is when they have the fried bananas with the crema sauce. And did I mention they make their own tortillas in house all day? They are so fresh and piping hot it burns your fingers.
I can’t wait to go back and see if there is something new I haven’t tried yet.

Seems very authentic. I was the only non-​Mexican person in this busy place, long line for the freshly baked filled tortillas on the sidewalk. Great tacos for 1.25 each. Outdoor seating for watching Broadway while you wait.

This place is called Juanita’s Café.
On the weekends they have a pupusas stand outside. And they make that stuff fresh right in front of you. Go inside to pay $ 2/​pupusa, then take your receipt outside to claim your pupusas.
Tasty! Give it a try if you’re walking by sometime.

Sometimes known as Juanita’s Café, it’s down home authentic style short order plates. Super low prices for filling food. Definitely not on the healthy side. On the weekends they make pupusas fresh on their grill outside to order and are terrific.

I’m not quite sure if this place qualifies as an authentic Mexican food restaurant, but it is so so good. This place is far from fancy, you may even coming out smelling like their tiny kitchen but it is all worth it. Their tortas are especially to die for. The soft bread wrapped around carnitas, lettuce, tomatoes, jalapenos, gooey cheese, and avocado is a combination of heaven (you can choose your meat). The tacos are generously small but I get filled up by just eating two. Although the burritos are not ridiculously huge, I could only finish half. Café Jerez’s quesadillas are more than just tortilla and cheese, they also put veggies and a good amount of your choice of meat. Yummerrrs.
In conclusion, I guarantee that you will love their food. Any one who has been here as fallen in love with their quesadillas, tortas, and almost everything else. If you’re ever in the jewelry district, Café Jerez is a must if you plan on eating Mexican food.
FYI: Free parking will be hard to find in the jewelry district so you may need to pay for garage parking within that area.