Alex Garcia is the mastermind behind the popular pop-up taqueria Evil Cooks , which he runs with his wife, Elvia. They are known for their playful, innovative approach to Mexican food with a heavy metal edge, and taking big swings. At last year’s Taco Madness celebration, for example, they trotted out a trompo — the vertical rotating spit that al-pastor meat cooks on — for dessert .
Instead of marinated roasted pork, it was ice cream. It was a huge hit . But for his latest venture, he’s teamed up with some of the most revered Mexican chefs in the United States for a memorable evening on Saturday, June 22: Lucky ticket holders will eat their way across Mexico without ever getting on a plane.
At $200 a person, it's pricey. But it’s also an only-in-L.A.
dining experience featuring a 32-course feast that goes far beyond taco combo plates and quesadillas. Why 32 courses? Each course will represent a signature dish "from Mexico’s 32 states." ( Technically , it's 31 states and a single federal district, but that doesn't quite roll off the tongue as nicely.
) The setting? El Barrio Cantina , a contemporary Mexican restaurant in the Retro Row neighborhood in East Long Beach, known for its inventive menu and world-class mezcal selection. “I wanted to do something mind-blowing, something that would stand out,” Garcia said. Attendees can sample unique dishes and drinks rarely found outside Mexico, featuring a superstar lineup of chefs including his wife — Elvia Garcia, a.
