A while back, some of the most exciting food in Los Angeles was being made by the street vendors who set up shop on Breed Street in Boyle Heights. But then someone complained, cruisers rolled through, equipment was confiscated, food was thrown out and all in all the entire debacle laid bare how expensive street vending can be. Things have been pretty quiet there ever since … but for Caridad Vazquez, that is, who can often still be found in the area, assembling mulitas and tacos on fresh tortillas and drenching thick slabs of bread in red salsa and grilling them on the hot plancha to make her stellar chorizo and potato pambazos. As you wait for your food, you may realize you recognize her: She is one of the most prominent faces and voices of the street vending movement, on the frontlines of rallies and in front of the microphone, volunteering her name and comments for the record during city council meetings. It was her and vendors like her— in tandem with the Los Angeles Food Policy Council, the East L.A. Community Corporation, the Leadership for Urban Renewal Network and others involved in the L.A. Street Vendor Campaign — who pushed the campaign to its recent successes. Maybe, then, grab an extra taco or two in solidarity and gratitude.
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