Love Sandwiches - El Monte, CA

If you ever happen to fall asleep on the Silver Line and end up in El Monte for some reason, walk over to this Vietnamese sandwich joint called Love Sandwiches. The owners are always there and they are so nice and friendly. This place has only been open for about 2 months, but they already have a slew of regulars. I always get the spicy beef sandwich.

The beef is very tender and full of flavor, and it is accompanied by onions, bamboo shoots and carrots all on a french roll. The bread is always fresh there (don't know if they bake it there, probably not) but for $3.50 each, you cannot go wrong. Whenever I go in there, she always gives me lots of freebies. The spring rolls are great, and they have a lovely beef stew for those few and far between cold days. The sweet potato fries are also amazing. They are hand cut and made to order. They also have fresh juices and smoothies. I went with a friend and he got the passion fruit juice, and I got the watermelon smoothie. A combination meal with a sandwich, fries (sweet potato or regular) and a drink comes out to a little under $6 and the quality is just unreal for that price. 

Love Sandwiches

10053 Valley Boulevard

El Monte, CA 91731

(626) 455-0930

Exit Metro Local Bus 76 at Valley/Gibson

Metro Silver Line - El Monte Station

Metro Eastside Dining Guide

Ever get the hungry growls on the Gold Line? Check this handy guide the folks at Metro put together to help you satiate your empty stomach.

Restaurant Santa Cecilia - Mariachi Plaza

A short trek from Downtown LA, Santa Cecilia sits on Mariachi Plaza on 1st St and Boyle Ave. This small shack boasts big things all day long, from chilaquiles to tasty tacos. Open 7 days a week, you should be able to make any excuse to come nosh on some very delicious (and authentic) Mexican Fare. "¿Que quieres mija?" she asks as I walk in the metal gate. I feel as if I am home when I see the giant refrigerator full of glass bottled soda. I order my usual, two al pastor tacos and one tripas taco. The tortillas are not from a bag, they are from her hands. She makes them every morning and the love you taste in each of them really makes the taco better. I sit at the metal counter on the side of the eatery and take in the atmosphere. You can hear people chatting and playing cards on their back patio. Then suddenly my tacos are presented before me. A beautiful pile of meat, onions, cilantro and salsa.

I chose salsa roja for the al pastor tacos. The al pastor was so tender, juicy and flavorful. It all tasted very fresh and the spice was just perfect. I will almost always save the tripas for last, and this meal is no exception. The tripas were so perfectly prepared, crispy, chewy goodness slathered in salsa verde. If you aren't as adventurous as I am, and you don't think you can stomach tripas, they have a wide array of other meats that are just as delicious.

If you buy three tacos, and show them your metro pass, they'll give you one for free. No foolin'.

Restaurant Santa Cecilia

1707 Mariachi Plaza

Los Angeles, CA 90033

(323) 980-0716

Exit Metro Gold Line at Mariachi Plaza