Modeled after Chinatown, Koreatown, and Little Tokyo, Historic Filipinotown is now home to a mix of older Filipino-run small businesses, critically acclaimed bars, and new-school eateries.
Enjoy Filipino cuisine from classic and new-school spots alike
The neighborhood’s most recognizable eatery just might be Dollar Hits—a no-frills skewer joint that’s been featured on Netflix’s Street Food. In the same strip mall, however, Foronda enjoys ordering pandesal, or Filipino dinner rolls, from My Mom’s BakeShop. Freshly made daily, the rolls are perfect for breakfast sandwiches at home. “No joke, they’re so good,” he says.
You also can’t really leave HiFi, he says, without sampling the cornbread bibingka from The Park’s Finest, which serves Filipino American barbecue with all manner of delicious (and creative) sides.
Take in the art in and around Gabba Gallery
Head to this local art gallery on HiFi’s western edge for a bit of inspiration, then walk up and down Beverly Boulevard for additional murals and street art. In the area, Foronda also enjoys picking up a patty melt from Jim’s Burgers. It’s also worth checking out the public works of Eliseo Art Silva, which you can find in Unidad Park and along the stretch of Beverly Boulevard flanking Historic Filipinotown’s Eastern Gateway arch.
Visit the local church for potato tacos
Foronda spent his childhood Sundays attending Mass at Our Lady of Loretto Catholic Church, where he still can be found picking up the church’s after-service potato tacos on Sundays. Also known as La Iglesia Católica de Nuestra Señora de Loretto, the church sells the simple, crunchy taquitos as part of their overall fundraising efforts.