Armenian Mexican Fusion Feels Good in a Place Like MidEast Tacos

"Martirosyan pulls on the threads of his family's Armenian and Egyptian heritage and Los Angeles's deeply rooted Mexican cooking, then weaves the influences into something wholly his own. At MidEast Tacos, coriander-tinged falafel feels right at home in a taco; beef kebab finds its way into blistered quesadillas. It's somewhere between a neighborhood taqueria and a bustling kebab shop that comes to life as a reflection of Los Angeles itself."

"Steak quesadillas layer stretchy, melted mozzarella with tender steak kebab, Thai basil, and garlicky toum arbol in a 12-inch flour tortilla from Tortillas Mejorado. This could be a full meal for one or easily shared as a group side - the quesadilla arrives cut into thirds. Still-hot-from-the-fryer falafel get laced with cooling avocado salsa, red onion, cilantro, Thai basil, and toum arbol in the falafel tacos. It's a vegetarian option that stands up to the rest of the menu."

"The shrimp burrito piles flame-kissed shrimp, rice that would feel at home in an Armenian restaurant, Thai basil, avocado salsa, red onion, guajillo-heavy salsa roja, and toum into a tightly wrapped tortilla. A casual sidewalk lunch on a nice day (the restaurant does not have indoor seating) or dinner to go. Peel open the quesadilla and layer in a handful of crispy papas for a potato chip in sandwich-esque moment."

MidEast Tacos launched as a 2017 pop-up and now occupies a busy Silver Lake corner as a permanent walk-up spot. The menu fuses Armenian and Egyptian family traditions with Los Angeles Mexican cooking, producing items like coriander-tinged falafel tacos, beef kebab quesadillas, and kebab or shrimp burritos. Steak quesadillas with mozzarella, Thai basil, and garlicky toum arbol arrive on 12-inch Tortillas Mejorado flour tortillas and are served cut into thirds for sharing. Falafel comes hot from the fryer with avocado salsa and herbs. The restaurant offers sidewalk dining only and neighbors Pine & Crane, Bacari, and Millie's Cafe.

Read at Eater LA