Slideshow

First Look Into La Casita Mexicana’s Expanded Space and Menu

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Taquitos del mercado at Casita Mexicana

La Casita Mexicana, which emerged over fourteen years ago in Bell as one of the Southland’s strongest Mexican restaurants for its beautifully appointed regional dishes, authentic chef-driven creations, fresh ingredients, and expansive sauces, has vastly expanded both its space and menu. Over a single week, without disturbing operations, chefs Jamie Martin del Campo and Ramiro Arvizu watched the wall of the neighboring beauty shop get breached so their James Beard-nominated casita could reach dimensions more fitting of a hacienda in their native Jalisco, with room for approximately 100 seats and a coming beer bar strapped with happy hour specials. The refreshed restaurant plans to explore the wines of Baja’s Valle de Guadalupe and a bigger menu, featuring new dishes like bone marrow in adobo, blackberry mole, and taquitos inspired by del Campo’s college years. Come with us as we take a look at the newly expanded space and eating options at Casita Mexicana in Bell.

Casita Mexicana, 4030 Gage Ave. Bell; 323-773-1898.

The restaurant’s signage cleverly incorporates images of its two chefs, Jamie Martin del Campo and Ramiro Arvizu.
Bone marrow in adobo.
These market taquitos, with their changing selection of fillings, were inspired by Del Campo’s college years.
Casita Mexicana now connects with this little store, giving the place a bit of a mercado feel.
This Valle de Guadalupe label is currently the restaurant’s exclusive distributor of Baja wines.
From right: Green pumpkin seed pipian mole, traditional poblano mole, pinenut mole “rosa,” and blackberry mole.
A traditional olive-oil based salsa from Veracruz.
Is spread throughout the restaurant.
Wrapped in a corn husk.
From right: Capirotada bread pudding, flan de cacao, and tamal de cacao.
The chefs are toasting and grinding their own cacao for dishes like this one and a mighty-fine flan de cacao.
The chefs are excited to soon introduce happy horu specials at a new bar area once completed.
First Look Into La Casita Mexicana’s Expanded Space and Menu