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Working in downtown Los Angeles is a great experience. Eating there, however, is mostly hit or miss. We have our usual lunch place which suffices if you’re interested in over paying for, what could be argued as, “so-so” quality food. So when the opportunity knocks to have lunch away from your usual spot you jump at it. This was the case on Thursday when a friend of mine whisked me away for my lunch hour for a truly interesting meal.

Nestled just outside of Old China Town is a sparkly building surrounded by aging warehouses and a school bus yard. This building is home to Homeboy Industries, a group dedicated to helping gang members and troubled youth turn their lives around by providing them with jobs and opportunities. One of those opportunities is called Homegirl Cafe.

Being waited on by someone sporting gang tats is a bit unusual, but all in all an interesting experience. I ordered the roast beef and spicy apple sandwich along with a salmon and jalapeno pesto taco. The sandwich was an interesting combination one doesn’t usually experience as apple is not a usual pairing for roast beef but the two played well and I found myself really enjoying the meal. The salmon was a little dry but the jalapeno pesto helped with that.

In terms of price I must say that the actual meal end up costing far less than a single lunch at my regular place for far better food. Two sandwiches and a taco totaled up to around $15. The service was, well let’s just say it was trying. Food was slow to come, even though you could see your plate languishing on the counter. The waitress, you know the one sporting gang tats, couldn’t seem to be bothered or interested in being there. It seems the place is more about the food, the experience, and the idea that visiting this place helps troubled youth and people trying to turn their lives around.

With lunch at an end we make our way past Homeboy Bakery with their collection of desserts and admire for a bit this jewel in a really crappy area. I throw my tie back on and head back to the office. Would I come back here? Most definitely. The food was enough to make the experience worthwhile even if the service was wanting.

Homegirl Cafe
Located at:
130 W. Bruno St. (at Alameda St.)
Los Angeles, CA 90012