The welcoming entrance to Cherokee Street
The Cherokee Street heyday came with the convergence of the electric streetcar lines in South City early in the last century. Since the trolley’s demise, the business district has had its ups and downs. But today the 12-block historic area has been revitalized with a number of restaurants, cafes, galleries, antique shops, art studies, and funky specialty shops.
La Vallesana at the corner of Cherokee and California. The area is a virtual Little Mexico of taquerias, bakeries, and groceries.
My friend, Cyndy, and I wandered over to Cherokee to lunch at the fairly new Asian restaurant, Vista Ramen. We did so without checking to see if it’s open during the lunch hour. It is not. So we ate at an old reliable, long considered one of the best taquerias and neverias in town: La Vallesana on the corner of Cherokee and California. (A neveria is an ice cream shop.)
The bilingual menu at La Vallesana features tacos, tortas, burritos, enchiladas. quesadillas, gyros, and homemade ice cream.
The gazebo
Our server gladly photographed us enjoying our lunch on the patio.
The mainstay of Mexican food for more than a dozen years has been transformed over time with expanded dining, that includes two patios and a gazebo. Today it’s a large, inviting space to chow down on a chunky burrito or their signature marinated pork taco al pastor with grilled pineapple, onion and cilantro. Whichever you chose, their house Mexican ice cream is a must and comes in many tempting, exotic flavors.
Burrito packed with goodness
La Vallesana’s Chicken Enchiladas with Green Sauce
The pleasant patio
Service comes with a pleasant smile at La Vallesana
The funky decor is good for a laugh or a photo.
It takes about 25 minutes to get to Cherokee Street from where I live. Having come that distance, I usually peruse the antique shops or, at least, the bakeries, but it was mid-afternoon and I needed to make a Home Depot stop. No fear, I shall return and soon. Vista Ramen is still on must-try list.
Cherokee Street art
La Vallesana, 2801 Cherokee Street. Open: Mon-Sun 10a-10p.
