Lolas   

3292 Roosevelt St
Carlsbad, CA 92008
760-434-2191
www.fiestacarlsbad.com

Directions   Email   Send to Cell  

Lola's Market and Deli is practically Barrio Carlsbad royalty. The market was established in 1943 (Lola was the founding matriarch and the business is still kept in the family) and continues to this day as a community landmark and point of pride. Run by sisters Connie Trejo and Ofelia Escobedo, Lola's has changed with the times to be not just a neighborhood market, not just an authentic Mexican mercado, but a "deli" that turns out the best (really) tamales and carne asada burritos in North County. There's no Taco Bell kitsch here -- Lola's is the real deal. Recipes are based on those of the sisters' grandmother, who learned how to craft simple but wonderful food growing up in Jalisco. Lola's has just a few tables to accommodate diners, which is part of the charm. Breakfast (served all day long, bless these folks!) hosts a steady stream of ravenous early birds lining up for their daily huevos rancheros fix. At lunchtime (after 11AM), it's not unusual to see engineers from the Carlsbad Business Park curbside, leaned up against their shiny Lexuses with ties tossed over their shoulders, chowing down on tacos or shoveling chile rellenos while enjoying the sunshine. Dinner offers more of the same great food. On Saturdays, carnitas and menudo are featured; both can be had for under $5, which is some kind of urban dining miracle. Lola's serves as a neighborhood gathering place for the Barrio Carlsbad community as well as the Carlsbad Village in general. This is the perfect place to check the pulse of local politics, cultural happenings and Latino resources... and, of course, eat.