Watts Up?

I am a very big fan of farmers markets, and living in Southern California means that you can go to one everyday of the week if you so desired. I've scoured many a market hoping to catch a glimpse of a certain food network chef. I've heard of sightings every now and then, either at the Santa Monica farmers market or the Pacific Palisades. I know you're out there Giada.

If you're not into celebrity chef sighting and/or (shudder to think) don't want to get that involved with the food buying process there are also CSA's (Community Supported Agriculture) Where you can purchase a subscription to a farm that you can pick up at a designated time and location. These are a really great deal, as the price is set and you can get amazing fresh produce (that hasn't been frozen and shipped from who knows where) You can find one near you at http://www.localharvest.org/csa/

The one I found that was most practical for me, location and cost wise is in Watts at their local farmers market that they hold on Saturdays from 10am-2pm. It is located at S Central Ave & E 103rd Pl Los Angeles, CA 90002 I can pick up a box of 20-30lbs of fruits and veggies for a mere $15.00 from the South Central Farmers' Cooperative. DEAL!! (you must purchase on website before you pick up)

Watts Farmers Market :)

While I was in Watts I thought I would take advantage and see the Watts towers. If you happen to look up in Watts you will see the famed art/community/state landmark that is the Watts towers. The towers are a spectacle of one's man relentless desire to do something big and something great.

When I planned on going, I thought we would check out the towers, take a few pictures and be on our way. What we got was a treat that I so seldom get at other historical places I have visited before. While we mulled around outside of the art center taking pictures we were met by a nice gentleman who then proceeded to give the most eloquent and entertaining tour I have had the pleasure of being on in a long time. He introduced himself as being an artist himself and began to "paint a picture" of what a man named Simon Rodia, who wanted to leave his mark, and did. Did I mention that this tour was completely free!!

The Watts Towers Art Center (located next to the towers)

The scaffolding you see wasn't used in the original construction, the state is currently inspecting/making repairs. So there is a fence around the towers and surrounding walls right now, and no one is allowed to enter.

After visiting the towers we were famished and decided to get some local fare. So we asked our tour guide for a recommendation for good grub. He pointed us in the direction of the Watts community coffee shop which is an establishment that is part soul food part coffee shop. We headed on our way only to find that it was only open for breakfast, devastated we headed for another soul food restaurant and landed upon Bertha's. Bertha's is located at 1714 W. Century Bl. Los Angeles CA. 90047

Bertha's was good soul food. Good for the soul and definitely good for the tummy. They have a terrific lunch special which features different dishes each day of the week. For Saturday the lunch special consisted of fried chicken or Meatloaf. Gabe and I decided to get one of each and share. :)

Our lunch came with cornbread, moist and sweet, I swooned.

Fried Chicken and the sides it came with: rice with gravy, greens, and macaroni and cheese.

Did I mention that this was only $7.50

Meatloaf

Gabe picked his sides of: mashed potatoes and gravy, pinto beans with yams and macaroni and cheese.

Our lovely server Danielle

When I asked to take her picture she struck a pose and quickly stated "You want me to look fierce?" I'm still smiling from that.


Gabe and I decided that we should get our chores done....ugh. But while at the laundry mat I got another delightful surprise. A man walked by and said something in Spanish that I couldn't make out. He said it to everyone in the laundromat. I asked Gabe what was going on. "Do you want some corn?" Gabe asked. After some consideration (not a lot, actually more like a few seconds) we were out the door and into the parking lot .....

...where this guy was selling elote out of the trunk of his car!

Elote is a popular street food in Mexico. Its made up of roasted corn on the cob and various toppings most commonly and on the ones that we had: Mayo, cotijo cheese (Mexican Parmesan) and cayenne pepper.

Although I usually associate buying something out of the trunk of a car as something one ought not to do....this was really delicious!