Small Bites of the Big Orange: Olvera Street

        Los Angeles may be known for its film industry, miles of beaches, sports franchises, and shopping destinations, but just about as vibrant as these is its cultural diversity. It is a true “Melting Pot” city, the most ethnically diverse city in the United States. 

I was fortunate enough to venture out into Los Angeles with my university’s Honors Program to explore a particular neighborhood to observe its cultural uniqueness. My group went to Olvera Street, a narrow, pedestrian side street packed with just about every element of Latino culture varying from food to music to historic landmarks. It honestly felt like I was visiting a destination in Latin America, even though the huge city of Los Angeles engulfed this tiny neighborhood.

 I could not believe that this tiny but bustling marketplace is in the middle of one of the world's largest cities.

As my university friends and I stepped over the barrier dividing the busy city and Olvera Street, we were immediately greeted by shopkeepers who stood in front of brightly colored tents that displayed what they had to sell: handmade Mexican dresses; authentic leather bags, shoes, belts, hats, and gun holsters; Lucha Libre (free wrestling) masks with many types of patterns and colors; hand-painted religious figurines; and sweets made from scratch. All around us, not a lick of English was spoken, just Spanish. A mariachi band’s music filled the air, as well as the smells of tortilla chips and tacos.

An old adobe building also greets visitors in the middle of the marketplace. It is called Avila Adobe and is the oldest standing residence in Los Angeles. Built in 1818, this structure was the residence of a wealthy cattle rancher but was eventually abandoned during a hostile invasion in the Mexican-American War. Some original furniture items are set up inside of the house, and visitors can walk in and out of it as they please. 

Outside of Olvera Street’s marketplace also stands Los Angeles’s oldest church: Our Lady Queen of Angels- La Placita. It has a bright yellow facade and statues of religious figures, and the interior walls are ornate with swirly designs and beautiful paintings of the Stations of the Cross. 

What made Olvera Street particularly special for me, however, was the cultural pride and passion that the shop and restaurant owners had for their Latino heritage. I talked to one shop owner whose mother opened their family’s store in the 1940s, just nearly after Christine Sterling opened Olvera Street to showcase Latino culture that was in danger of disappearing. This woman continues to run the market, selling the same handmade dresses that her mother did, and she was very proud to be the legacy of this store. Similarly, there is a father and son duo who own and operate a restaurant on Olvera Street, and they still use the stove that was used to make quality Mexican food since its opening in the mid 1900s. Everything was made from scratch and from fresh ingredients; it was probably the best taco and horchata I’ve ever had.       

If you’re looking for an education in Spanish-American history, a Latino cultural experience without leaving the U.S., or even a killer burrito, Olvera Street is the place for you. Also, it’s always a great education to travel abroad to learn about a different culture, but sometimes it’s also nice to pay attention to the diversity in our own backyard.

A caramel infused churro from Mr. Churro. Infused churros are a local specialty.