Lake Avenue Market

We just spent a day in Los Angeles, and by chance ran across some REALLY great meat… unfortunately with equally impressive prices. But I was in the mood to grill some Hanger, Flatiron, or thick skirt steak, which can be hard to find around L.A.
My wonder-​wifey found this Unilocal review, we went in, and they had FOUR DIFFERENT THICKNESSES. And it all looked well cut, VERY fresh, and ready to go (onto my Weber).
I hit it with some kosher salt/​course ground pepper/​white pepper/​onion and garlic powder for an hour, then added a marinade of olive and coconut oils, balsamic, Worcestershire, and fresh minced garlic for an hour.
That being said, this is a pre-​review; I’ll be back in a bit after the grill does a reverse sear on it…
tick-​tick-​tock…
… and their ¾″ thick skirt steak was the most tender I can remember! Pulled it off the grill at 135 degrees after a quick sear (reverse searing does this after indirect grilling) allowed it to set up 10 minutes, carved across the grain, and it was GREAT. I’ll have to visit them again…
Great meat folks; thanks!

The market is indeed tucked in a group of retail outlets in North Pasadena. The carne asada is prepared freshly cut and marinated on the spot. After coming home to grill it with some bundles of nopales, it was fully marinated. I am quite impressed with the meat prepared on order. The customer service was in Spanish, but what do you expect it’s a Latino Mercado. 5 stars!

The market itself is on the small side. Nice friendly service and butcher. We ordered premade masa for our tamales and it was really great.

Go here if you want some tasty seasoned carne asada. It’s the best i’ve had in a long time. This has turned into my #1 go to spot. They also have some amazing chicharon. This is the number 1 spot!

if you want good carne asada, this is the place! once i got wind of this place, no other mexican meat market tops it! the carneceria person asks if you would like it preparada which means prepared, this is a must! the carne asada is bland without it! I love this market, I have tried new places other people have recommended, as an open eye, but this one is key!

This place. OH MAN. I used to live on Merrett and Lake (the cross streets for this place). From ages 11 through 15, I’m pretty sure I was here at least 5 times a week. My mom would send me to pick up some queso fresco, cocas, 1.5 de chorizo, chetos — anything and everything.
This place has not changed much. I remember we used to call it «Los Cubanos» cause back in the day (think mid 90s), it was owned by a Cuban couple. Then the store changed owner (s?), and now we call it Los Koreanos. Well, whoever owns it, this place is still great.
Whenever we’re having carne asada, this is where we get our meat. Their marinade is SO GOOD. I need their recipe. Their cuts are always great. The meat is fresh. The butchers are super friendly. Buy your meat here. Seriously.
Making some tamales? They have everything here. The steamer, the banana leaves, the masa, the meat, the chiles. Everything.
I will definitely be recommending this place.

Great little hidden gem just north if Orange Grove! I went here to get a beef brisket to roast for Easter lunch. They didn’t have any pieces ready and cut that were quite right, so the young butcher went back to the best freezer, brought out a huge chunk of meat and asked me which part of it I would like! I pointed out which looked best to me, and he cut a piece off that was the perfect size and cut for what I wanted. Great service. Great prices. Highly recommended.

Here’s where I get 90% of my meat from. They have the best selection and prices in the city and most people don’t realize it. Then again, most probably don’t even know it’s there. It sits in a strip mall in between a Radio Shack and a pet shop. It’s right across the street from the CVS on North lake and Mountain, where that Popeyes on the corner is at.
You know it’s all about tamales on Christmas Eve (and food for the rest of the week) in a Mexican household, so you need some masa pronto! With a mere 24hrs advance notice I was able to procure over 10lbs of it ready to be picked up this morning. No waiting, no lines (can’t say the same about the other people who didn’t call ahead), just pay and pick up.
I ended up paying about a $ 1 a pound for all that I got. Not bad at all.

Lake Avenue Market is a like a mini Vallarta. But though it’s «mini,» their selection and quality of products are outstanding!
I always come here when I’m in the area to pick up fresh veggies and meats. Their meat selection is HUGE. You walk in thinking it’s a small market until you head to the back and see the selection. Also, the prices can’t be beat for the quality of meat that they offer.
And the workers here are awesome! The butchers are knowledgable and skilled and the cashiers are super friendly. Couldn’t ask for better customer service.
Parking: Never a problem finding a space when I go. The spaces are shared with a small restaurant, nail salon and Radio Shack. If you get lost, look for Roscoe’s Chicken as it’s across the street from this place. Mmmmm Roscoe’s…