Komal

This masa-centric stall inside South L.A.’s Mercado La Paloma comes from former Holbox employees Fátima Juárez and Conrado Rivera. While the couple have plans to eventually debut a tasting menu focusing on pre-Hispanic cuisine, Komal’s current offerings consist of tasty quesadillas, a selection of homestyle antojitos (literally, “little cravings”) and dessert. Standouts include the tlacoyos (bean-stuffed thick tortillas) topped with cactus, queso fresco and salsa verde and the taco Sonia, named for Juarez’s favorite childhood taquera in Mexico City. The size of a salad plate, the hefty handheld consists of seared beef shoulder, housemade pork sausage and your choice of mashed potatoes or cactus. None of the menu items are over $11—and while I eagerly await Komal’s tasting menu, the affordable lunch items are worth a visit all on their own.