When you’ve had a rough Friday or Saturday night, Mas Malo is there for you in the morning. Mas Malo’s brunch has over 20 items on the menu, fresh coffee and cocktails. If you are anything like us, you will have a hard time picking one dish and will order a few to share. Our table had so many plates, our server called it a “Mexican Thanksgiving.”

East L.A. in Downtown L.A.

Mas Malo opened in January and is Malo’s (located in Silver Lake) sister restaurant. The Downtown L.A. space was once a jewelry store in the 1920s. It eventually became Clifton’s Cafe, a cafeteria that was used in the film “Fight Club.” There’s also a cantina downstairs with a comfortable, homey vibe that’s open on Thursday, Friday and Saturday nights. The cantina feels like the living room inside a New Mexico home complete with hanging basket chairs and there’s still a full-bar and food from Mas Malo’s kitchen.

Chef Robert Luna modeled the restaurant’s menu after his mother’s cuisine, which he described as “second generation cooking.” He added, “It goes back to me growing up in East L.A.” Chef Luna told us his mother often whipped up meals with what she had in the kitchen. The recipe for Malo and Mas Malo’s Ground Beef and Pickle taco came straight from Chef Luna’s mom. When he was growing up, Mama Luna was making a hamburger but she didn’t have any hamburger buns. Instead, she put the ingredients in a tortilla and the rest is history. The Ground Beef and Pickle taco is one of the most popular items on the menu along with the Spicy Cucumber Margarita and the Burnt Habanero and Creme salsa.

Sweet, Savory and Everything in Between

The brunch menu offers authentic Mexican dishes like Huevos Rancheros and Chilaquiles (fried corn chips and two eggs with rice and black beans) and classic items like oatmeal and french toast. Chef Luna makes his french toast with horchata (cinnamon rice milk)! There are also unique dishes like the Buttermilk Corn & Spinach Pancakes. The corn adds a little crunch and the spinach is very subtle so you’ll almost forget you are eating your veggies. The pancakes and french toast are topped with homemade Piloncillo Honey Syrup. Just when you thought Vermont maple syrup was one of the best things to smother on your breakfast, think again. The Piloncillo Honey Syrup is thicker than maple syrup and made with Mexican sugar cane — and a little goes a long way.

Bebidas Por Favor

The drinks are also something special. Beverage Director Fred Warner came up with the cocktails and incredible selection of tequila and mezcal. During brunch, Mas Malo offers a number of drinks including the Bloody Maria, La Paloma Fizz and instead of a Mimosa they feature a Red Eye (tequila, lemon juice with red wine on top). Sometimes you will even find a Mexican chamoy on the menu (chili, salt, sugar and Modelo) — it’s rumored this is an East L.A. original hangover cure. In the back of the restaurant is the tequila tasting room. It’s actually inside the original safe from the former jewelry store and the vault is still intact. The room can sit 10-12 people for tequila and mezcal tastings. Mas Malo is currently working on a flight program as well.

Mas Malo’s Jonathan Kakacek Shows Us the Tequila Tasting Room







Where?
515 W. 7th Street
Los Angeles, CA 90014

When?
Monday – Thursday: Lunch 11 AM – 5 PM, Dinner 5 PM- 11 PM
Friday: Lunch 11 AM – 5 PM, Dinner 5 PM- 12 AM
Saturday: Brunch 9 AM – 5 PM, Dinner 5 PM- 12 AM
Sunday: Brunch 9 AM – 5 PM, Dinner 5 PM- 11 PM

Additional Links
http://masmalorestaurant.com/home/