South LA · Mexican · Yucatecan
James Beard–recognized Yucatecan cooking inside Mercado La Paloma — a South LA treasure
Gilberto Cetina opened Chichen Itza inside Mercado La Paloma in 2000 and spent the next two decades building one of the most important regional Mexican kitchens in Los Angeles. The cooking is Yucatecan — a cuisine distinct from the Oaxacan and central Mexican traditions that dominate LA's Mexican restaurant landscape — anchored by cochinita pibil, the slow-cooked achiote pork that arrives on soft tortillas with pickled red onion and habanero. The James Beard recognition arrived because the food and its specific cultural specificity merit it: this is Mérida brought to South LA, and it hasn't compromised.
Chichen Itza is james Beard–recognized Yucatecan cooking inside Mercado La Paloma — a South LA treasure. Regulars order cochinita pibil taco and poc chuc.
Chichen Itza is priced at $ — approx. under $20 per person.
Chichen Itza takes reservations by phone — call (213) 741-1075 to book.
Chichen Itza is at 3655 S Grand Ave Ste C6, Los Angeles, CA 90007 (Mercado La Paloma), in South LA. Free lot at Mercado La Paloma
Chichen Itza is open Tue–Sat 11 AM–4 PM · Sun 10 AM–4 PM · Mon closed. Hours can change on holidays — confirm on Google Maps before a long drive.