Watts: LocoL Opens Monday, January 18

 

LocoL opens in Watts on Martin Luther King, Jr. Day on Monday, January 18. I attended a soft opening for friends and family today. And as the bold sign says, “We are here!” LocoL is chefs Roy Choi and Daniel Patterson (Coi, Plum in Northern California) answer to healthy “fast food.” They want to feed the community and it’s entirely appropriate they are serving the community of Watts first. Located across the street from Florence Griffith Joyner Elementary School, I spotted a couple of food options in the area including fried chicken and a Chinese restaurant that probably does good take-out business. The chefs want to bring wholesome and tasty food to the area and they did it with a menu that’s still very creative and reflective of their styles.

 

I heard I should try either the fried chicken sandwich or the chicken nugs (nuggets). I got the nuggets and a friend got the sandwich. I really loved the sandwich. Great texture and welcomed the toppings of veggies.

 

The nuggets had a fantastic tangy dressing that is probably way better for you than ketchup.

 

LocoL has these awesome things called foldies that everyone secretly called tacos. They were more like mini quesadillas for me (though of course not all had cheese). I tried the carnitas. There’s also BBQ turkey, machacha (beef) and beans and cheese. At $2 a pop, these are extremely filling and won’t break the bank.

You can’t have the next McDonald’s without a dollar menu, right? Under “Yotchays,” try the beef and onion gravy and don’t forget to order the flatbread to dip. Some also add the messy greens to this new trio of goodness.

 

I love greens of any kind and these messy greens were some of the best I ever had. I started eating this with the chili but more on that later.

 

 

There are a few hip bowl options including the crushed tofu and veggie stew. I was also eying the Noodleman but they were out of it today. The bowls are $6 and the most expensive thing on the menu. It’s really amazing how much quality food you’re getting for such a fair price.

 

Under the “Burgs” the most instagramable item would be the BBQ turkey that looked like amazing pulled pork but was so soft and tender. Really great sauce, too.

 

Roy is best known for having a burger on all his menus and this cheeseburg was no slouch. With bits of veggie and a really good melt-y cheese, it’s a good solid patty. I love that all the sandwiches are only $4.

My new favorite thing ever is the messy beef chili bowl. With the crushed up crackers on top, beans, beef all on a bed of rice, this will keep you satiated for a long while.

Hit up LocoL on Monday when they open. Breakfast also looks really good with green juice and filling egg dishes.

LocoL

1950 E 103rd St., Los Angeles, CA 90002  

© The Minty  2016