2126 Cesar Chavez Ave. ~ Boyle Heights, CA 90033 ~ 323-262-3434 ~ TACO Map
We hold on tightly to our crystal meth, super glue, tequila, and crizz-onic addictions, while some people cannot control their consumption of Mariachi music. La Parilla is a true classic reaching back 27 years in East LA, as well as a damn good place to satisfy your accordion fix. Mariachis roll a million deep in this 'hood and always pack reps at this family restaurant. The happy woman seated next to our table kept the songs coming for her kid's birthday, abuela at the boy's side, merrily clapping along for nearly two hours.
Our friend foreshadowed an unpredictable conclusion with the consultation, "You better be prepared to pay about $10-20 a song. White people are always trying to give them like $2 a song..."
A festive, three-roomed arcade between hand-painted walls dripping in tri-colored streamers intermingled with Christmas lights, plus tables full of hot-to-go couples and families out to blow cash on a good time, La Parilla is a neighborhood instituiton and definitely on the higher end of Cesar Chavez' restaurants. The sweet older waitresses rock folklorico dresses but nothing comes off as a gimmick. Some people say the decorations are a little naco, but it really feels homey and celebratory. Not necessarily the cheapest eats though, especially when you throw the liquor in, but we survived.