La Oaxaqaena

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Patrick Heig

Joined 5 years ago

Tortas, pastries and Oaxacan delicacies in the Mission.. This bakery and torteria specializes in Oaxacan cuisine, which is as hard to find around here as it is to pronounce. Nestled as it is amongst the junk shops, storefront churches and doorway-lurking dope dealers on this stretch of Mission, this place is easy to miss, but once inside, you'll be disarmed by the welcoming vibe and clean space, festooned with Mexican folk art, Winnie the Pooh paraphernalia and a few small tables. Colossal tortas, stuffed with marinated meats (think tequila- and habanera-soaked chicken), are a solid bet here, but Oaxacan specialties like tlayudas, moles and sopes, not to mention the goat, rabbit, ostrich and venison dishes, are what set this spot apart from nearby taquerias. To wash it all down, try a blended licuado of strawberry, banana, pineapple or mamey (a tropical, melon-like fruit), or go health nut with a fresh beet or carrot juice. Popular with Oaxaca natives, and increasingly with hole-in-the-wall-hunting foodies, this hard to pronounce but easy to love spot is another Mission gem waiting to be mined.