Antojitos Carmen, Los Angeles

East LA has been gradually becoming more attractive and accessible to the West Side populace, with more enticing boutiques opening their doors and a recent addition of a subway line running across the river. Without a doubt, Antojitos Carmen may rate high as one of the reasons to pay East LA a visit. A cheap and cheerful hole in the wall, it offers a tantalizing roster of tortilla-wrapped delicacies and more. The variety is impressive and can take a few minutes to sort through, and the helpings are reliably generous. Friendly staff will happily put together a sampler for those befuddled by the menu. Among the best loved concoctions are potato dorado tacos and huaraches (a kind of Mexican corn pizza). - Kate Sobol