Plant Food For Eagle Rock People From Highland Park

Every Tuesday at 11 a.m. on the eastern edge of the mini mall on Colorado Boulevard adjacent to Tommy’s Hamburgers, a couple from Highland Park sets up a small stall in the corner of the parking lot facing Organix, Eagle Rock’s first and only full-fledged organic foods and groceries store that opened on Aug. 31, 2012.

For the past 10 months, starting with Organix’s official opening last September, the stall has been selling mouthwatering vegan carnitas-style tacos under a name that’s as catchy as it’s straightforward: Plant Food For People. And the slow but steady stream of customers is proof—if proof were needed—that these are tacos to kill for.

Mind you—the tacos are neither fancy nor diverse. In fact, there’s only one variety—jackfruit tacos, with a choice of five toppings that includes chipotle mayo, NELA cole slow, tomatillo salsa, pico do gallo, and hot New Mexican chile salsa—served with an optional side of slow-cooked pinto beans.

At just $2 each, the tacos are a bargain—as they’re intended to be. “We like to give smaller portions so that we can charge less,” explained Plant Food For People chef and co-owner Genise Castaneda this past Tuesday as her husband Jeremy served paper plates of hot tacos to four regular customers from Eagle Rock seated on a folding table outside Organix. (The tacos appeared to going well with Pellegrino sparkling water.)

What’s the Castadenda’s recipe? “It’s secret,” Genise quipped, but then quickly disclosed some spices: “Oregano, salt and pepper.” Her eyes and smile subtly suggested that she’s not about to tell all the ingredients.

And where do they get the deliciously "meaty" jackfruit from? 

Sometimes, said Genise, they get it straight from Organix, where it’s sold in cans. (Talk about a symbiotic relationship—Organix sold out its jackfruit on Tuesday, even though the Castanedas didn’t get theirs from the organic store that day.)

Plant Food For People started out by supplying vegan tacos and tamales and holding vegan barbecues at the landmark but now-defunct Figueroa Produce store on Figueroa Street in Highland Park.

The Castanedas also sell their vegan fare from 6 p.m. to 1 a.m. at Johnny’s Bar on 5006 York Blvd. on Friday nights. And so well-loved is their plant-based food that they want to set up a drive-thru on York, on the edge of what's fast becoming known as the boulevard's "village," between Avenue 50 and 49.

It’s been a dream of theirs for several years—and it might be finally coming true.

“We’re hoping to open in about a month,” said Jeremy, adding that he has been in talks with a landlord on the boulevard.

The Plant Food For People stall is open in the parking lot outside Organix on 1731 Colorado Blvd. Tuesdays from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. and 5 p.m. to 8 p.m.