Skip to Content
Echo Park

Bestia’s Former Chef de Cuisine Opening a Taquería with a Full Bar —Stumbling Distance to Dodger Stadium—In Echo Park

Tuna tostadas with an Urfa chile salsa negra, confit duck mole, micheladas with pickled mussel, and more await you at this new taquería on Sunset Boulevard. And yes, it’s within walking distance to Dodger Stadium.

Duck confit mole.

Duck confit mole.

“Bar A Tí is a mini-dream come true,” chef Andrew Ponce tells L.A. TACO while finalizing the small 7-10 dish menu at his new Echo Park taqueria, which is set to open Wednesday, September 25th.

The Mexican American chef, born and raised in Los Angeles, was the chef de cuisine at Bestia for years before launching A Tí, his pop-up that served creative cooking out of the backyard of a pasta restaurant in West Adams, earlier this year.

Ponce uses the term “mini-dream” because the opening of his modern Mexican concept in a brick-and-mortar space will be a five-week trial. 

“I’m excited, nervous, and confident all at the same time,” he says.

Vibe at A Tí Pop-Up dinner series in West Adams. Photo by Javier Cabral at L.A. TACO.
Vibe at A Tí Pop-Up dinner series in West Adams. Photo by Javier Cabral at L.A. TACO.

Ponce put his aspirations out in the universe back in April, telling us he hoped to open a brick-and-mortar model “like Taco Maria” one day. One that serves ceviches and tacos with an emphasis on accessibility. “

The last thing I want to do is make my abuelitas feel like they are not welcome or can’t afford my food,” he told L.A. TACO in April. 

Five months later, he’s getting a shot at precisely what he asked for. And more. Ponce will also have the bonus of opening with a full liquor license, all within stumbling distance of Dodger Stadium, just in time for the postseason. David Fernie, who made his name selling sandwiches at E Stretto, will be in charge of Bar A Tí’s cocktail menu. 

Akami (lean bluefin tuna) tostada with salsa macha. Photo by Javier Cabral for L.A. TACO.
Akami (lean bluefin tuna) tostada with salsa macha. Photo by Javier Cabral for L.A. TACO.
Scallop aguachile.
Scallop aguachile at A Tí. Photo by Javier Cabral for L.A. TACO.

The chef’s dinner menu will include hits from his pop-up: tostadas topped in akamai (lean bluefin tuna) with lemon aioli, salsa negra made with Turkish Urfa biber chiles, confit duck legs in a complex, date-based mole, and his customer favorite, Hokkaido scallop tostada, and koji-cured fish tacos. 

But he will also introduce new beverages like a Michelada garnished with house-pickled mussels, a dish of spicy grilled prawns, and a tamal for dessert. Ponce proudly calls his approach to modern antojitos, “L.A.-style.” 

“When people ask me, ‘What kind of Mexican food are my dishes?’ I tell them, ‘It’s L.A. Mexican food,’” Ponce declares. “I get all my inspiration from my city and want to represent that. I cook what I like to eat.”

He also supports Kernel of Truth Organic’s American-grown blue corn masa and tortillas, nixtamalized in Boyle Heights.

Bar A Tí joins a now-stacked intersection of Echo Park that also counts Quarter Sheets, Donna’s, and the forthcoming Echo Park location of Monkish Brewing Co. among its assets.  

Bar A Tí opens at 5 PM on Wednesday, September 25th, at 1498 W Sunset Blvd #2, Los Angeles, CA 90026. It will be open from 5 PM to “late” on Wednesdays to Sundays.

Stay in touch

Sign up for our free newsletter

More from L.A. TACO

Six Musical Legends You Forgot Are From South L.A.

While the world may be familiar with the South Los Angeles roots of Dr. Dre, Serena Williams, Kendrick, and Flo-Jo, numerous musical legends people forget come from the city's heart. That’s why L.A. TACO is here to remind you of some musical legends from South L.A. 

May 16, 2025

‘Deportation Set Me Free:’ Deported Influencer Is Building Community and Thriving In Mexico

"I view the U.S. as a golden cage with many of our immigrant brothers and sisters trapped inside a system out of fear of the unknown in their home countries," says Anni Garcia, an influencer who has been documenting herself thriving in Jalisco.  

May 16, 2025

This SELA Taquería Cooks Its Tacos Straight In The Fire…

This weekend, we're also pointing you, loyal L.A. TACO members, to pho brisket tacos, a secret Beirut sandwich spot, and a new noodle shop in Venice from a winner of The Great Food Truck Race.

May 16, 2025

The People of Los Angeles Can Finally Go Back to Therapy

If you are one of the 4.9 million Kaiser Permanente members in Southern California who have been unable to see your regular therapist since mental health workers began striking in October 2024, the good news is that the strike is finally over.

May 15, 2025

A Running List of Mom N’ Pop Businesses In Danger Of Closing That Need Community Support Right Now

It feels like almost every other month, we hear about a business closing its doors or attempting to stay open. To help these businesses stay open rather than report on them once they’ve closed, we created this ongoing list of restaurants and businesses in Los Angeles that need the most support. Did we miss any? Let us know which ones also need love in the comments.

May 15, 2025
See all posts