One of the more underutilized meals in Southern California is breakfast at Mexican restaurants. We all love a breakfast burrito, and quite right too. But all too often, people from outside of the culture stop right there. That said, La Flama does a great breakfast burrito, as we have discovered on past visits.
Sure, the authenticity of breakfast burritos is questionable. But a quick online search reveals that they first appeared in the ‘70s in New Mexico and caught on fast. Burritos are such a neat and tidy, fully enclosed method of eating anything that it only makes sense to put breakfast, and just about every other meal, into one.
At La Flama, there are a few wonderfully tempting breakfast burritos to choose from. There’s the Classic Ham Burrito (eggs scrambled with ham, cheddar cheese, avocado, and hash brown), or the Bacon Burrito (scrambled eggs and bacon, with cheddar cheese, hash brown, and sour cream). All are delicious.
But on this occasion, we went another route. We opted for the Huevos A La Mexicana, or Mexican eggs, and we regretted nothing. The dish is described on the menu as, “Scrambled eggs with chopped tomato, onion and jalapeño served with black beans and rice.”
It’s tough to criticize the presentation of a dish that is essentially scrambled egg, yet La Flama did their very best. The eggs appear fluffy and full of life, while the peppers and tomato add vibrancy and vivid color. The rusty red of the rice is appealing, as is the deep darkness of the black beans. Before you even take a bite, the food creates a palette of colorful joy.
Of course, that would all mean very little if the taste didn’t meet the expectations created by the appearance. That would feel like a broken promise. Fortunately, there are no such worries here. The rice is fluffy and seasoned beautifully. The texture is magnificent–not at all soggy or stodgy. The grain actually serves to compliment the other elements of the dish.
The beans are rich and mildly spicy, which helps to tie the dish together. There are four tortillas, included, so you can make your own little breakfast tacos, and they too taste fresh. There’s a red and green salsa included, for your own taste and pleasure. They’ve thought of everything.
But naturally, the eggs are the star. Bursting with flavor and enhanced by the onion, peppers and tomato, these are very special scrambled eggs indeed. No bland diner eggs – this is a dish that has been prepared with love.
La Flama is located at 10717 Venice Blvd., Los Angeles 90034. Call 310-876-1211 or visit carnicerialaflama.getbento.com.