Los Angeles just welcomed back one of its most beloved modern Mexican restaurants, and the city couldn’t be more excited. 🌮
Broken Spanish Comedor has opened its doors in Culver City’s iconic A-frame building, bringing award-winning Chef Ray Garcia’s celebrated Alta California cuisine back to Los Angeles after a five-year absence.
The restaurant occupies the historic space that once housed an IHOP and later Best Bet Pizzeria, partnering with Sprout Hospitality to create a neighborhood destination that’s both approachable and exceptional.
Garcia, named Esquire’s Chef of the Year in 2015 and praised by the legendary Jonathan Gold, has crafted a menu that honors his Mexican-American heritage while showcasing California’s incredible seasonal produce.
This isn’t just a restaurant reopening—it’s the return of a culinary movement that helped define modern Mexican cuisine in Los Angeles.
How This New Spot Won Locals Hearts So Fast
The buzz surrounding Broken Spanish Comedor began months before its late October opening, with eager Angelenos counting down the days until Garcia’s return. 🎉
The original Broken Spanish closed in 2020 during the pandemic, leaving a massive void in LA’s dining scene that nobody could quite fill.
When Garcia announced the Comedor residency starting in October 2025, food lovers immediately rallied around the chef who had helped pioneer Alta California cuisine alongside fellow innovators like Carlos Salgado.
The restaurant’s appeal extends beyond nostalgia—Garcia has reimagined his flagship concept as a more relaxed, community-focused experience that makes his elevated Mexican-American cooking accessible to neighborhood diners.
“It is a neighborhood offshoot of Broken Spanish with the same quality, same passion, but focusing on community in terms of food and beverage,” Garcia explained.
The chef’s successful 2021 pop-up at NeueHouse Hollywood, which extended its run twice due to overwhelming demand, proved that LA desperately wanted Garcia’s cooking back in their lives.
Now, with Comedor, they’ve got a permanent place to experience his “authentically inauthentic” approach to Mexican cuisine.
Garcia’s dedication to quality ingredients shines through every element, from his heirloom cónico azul corn tortillas made through a nixtamal program using corn from Masienda, to his modern takes on traditional Mexican dishes.
The restaurant has quickly become a destination where locals return not just for special occasions, but for fideos on a Tuesday.
Food Highlights
Chicharrón: This signature dish features porchetta-style crispy pork belly seasoned with salt, garlic, and chile de arbol, cooked sous vide for 36 hours, then fried until magnificently crispy.
Served with cónico azul corn tortillas and elephant garlic mojo, it’s Garcia’s most famous creation and the dish he’s proudest of. 🔥
Refried Lentils: These aren’t your average beans—Garcia’s version features lentils seasoned with epazote and enriched with creamy quesillo cheese.
Diners have called them revelatory, transforming a simple side into something you’ll want to lick the bowl clean.
Ceviche: Fresh kampachi gets bathed in a vibrant carrot-habanero clamato that brings fruity heat and acidity.
Served with crispy tostadas, it’s a refreshing starter that highlights California’s incredible seafood.
Flautas: These flour tortilla rolls come stuffed with smoked tuna and queso Chihuahua, then topped with avocado yuzu crema.
The unexpected combination of smoked fish and citrus creates a sophisticated twist on a classic Mexican snack. 🌊
Atmosphere
Broken Spanish Comedor embraces a relaxed, community-centric vibe that makes everyone feel welcome.
The iconic A-frame building along Washington Boulevard creates an instantly recognizable landmark that’s been part of Culver City’s landscape for decades.
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Inside, the space balances modern Mexican aesthetics with California casual comfort. ✨
The restaurant features dog-friendly patio seating, perfect for LA’s year-round outdoor dining weather.
The atmosphere hits that sweet spot between elevated and approachable—you can dress up for a special occasion or show up in jeans after work.
Garcia designed Comedor as a place where neighbors gather regularly, not just a destination restaurant for special events.
Bottom Line
Experience award-winning Chef Ray Garcia’s celebrated Alta California cuisine in a welcoming neighborhood setting.
Taste the legendary 36-hour chicharrón and handmade heirloom corn tortillas that food critics rave about.
Enjoy dog-friendly outdoor dining in Culver City’s iconic A-frame building.
Address: 12565 Washington Blvd, Los Angeles, CA 90066
📞 (424) 277-8694
🕔 Hours: Tue–Sat, 5:00 PM–10:00 PM