The heat is not only seen in the flames at East LA BBQ, it’s also felt in the food.

Mexican flavors are blended seamlessly with BBQ cooking at this Boyle Heights restaurant. 

Owner David Marin started East LA BBQ in his home as an underground restaurant with his wife. They also sold dishes at pop-up events, at different breweries, and even catered.

This is how they landed at XELAS, a craft beer bar that needed a food option for their guests.

"It’s a lot of fun. We have good music, good food, good craft beers, and good cocktails," says Marin's wife, Carla.

At XELAS, customers can grab a cocktail or a beer to go with their Mexican BBQ bites. 

David combines what he grew up eating with the tastes and cooking techniques of BBQ.

"It came naturally to me. We starting infusing flavors with BBQ and it was a hit. People seemed to like it and we just ran with it," he says.

His parents are immigrants from Mexico and he grew up in East Los Angeles. He feels fortunate to be able to serve up his culture to his community.

"We do the whole pico de gallo along with also the shredded cabbage to give you the BBQ, coleslaw feeling, but at the same time you are eating a Mexican torta," says.

David and Carla hope to soon serve these tortas and other dishes in their own restaurant or even a food truck.

For now, you can find East LA BBQ at XELAS in Boyle Heights.

East LA BBQ

1846 E. 1st Street

Los Angeles, California 90033