Comments (0) Best Mobile Spanish Gourmet Grocery - 2011
Cristina's From Spain
1326 E. 1st St.
Los Angeles, CA 90033
323-719-1974
Try finding authentic Spanish sausage for paella. Just try it. The arrival of Cristina's From Spain — a venture invisibly tucked inside of Purgatory Pizza — just made your search easier. Owners Cristina Rodriguez and Tony Testa import olives, almonds and cheese from Spain (check out the Iberico), make their own gazpacho (all gluten-free, no less) and tortilla Española, both classic and with herbs. Add to this menu their homemade chorizos and you have a truly spectacular find: a purveyor and maker of fine Spanish food located right in front of a Gold Line station. Los Angeles has long benefited from La Española, the wonderful Spanish food emporium in Harbor City. But while that temple of hispanophagy has a full-blown deli as well as goods ranging from saffron to Valenciana rice, Cristina's From Spain sells at various farmers markets in addition to its home in Boyle Heights. In a neighborhood full of ethnic stowaways, Boyle Heights' hidden Spanish kitchen more than justifies the $1.50 Metro fare, and is one more reminder why the Gold Line is L.A.'s culinary mother lode. 1326 E. 1st St., Boyle Heights. (323) 719-1974, cristinasfromspain.com.
—Colleen Jaurretche
