Alejandra's Quesadilla Cart

Tucked along Echo Park Avenue, Alejandra’s Quesadilla Cart stands as a beloved neighborhood institution. For nearly twenty years, Alejandra herself has been working her griddle, stretching fresh masa into long, oval-shaped blue corn tortillas with the kind of practiced ease that only comes from decades of repetition. The cart operates Friday through Monday, drawing regulars who know that some of LA’s best street food requires no frills—just skill, tradition, and quality ingredients.

The quesadillas here are a world apart from anything you’d throw together at home. Each one starts with that signature blue corn tortilla, pressed fresh to order and achieving a satisfying chew that packaged versions simply cannot match. Beyond the essential Oaxacan cheese that stretches with every bite, you’ll find fillings rooted in tradition: chicharron that’s been slowly stewed in salsa roja until tender, huitlacoche cooked with aromatic epazote, and fresh squash blossoms that bring a subtle floral note to the proceedings.

The chicharron and squash blossom combination is particularly memorable—the rendered fat from the pork rinds mingles with pools of melted cheese while the wilted blossoms add an unexpected sweetness. For something more adventurous, the huitlacoche quesadilla delivers earthy, smoky depth courtesy of the corn fungus, brightened by sweet onion and grassy herbs. Don’t skip the house-made salsas for an extra kick of heat.

This is casual dining at its purest: no reservations, no pretense, just exceptional food at prices that won’t break the bank. Whether you’re grabbing a quick lunch or seeking out authentic Oaxacan flavors without the sit-down restaurant markup, Alejandra’s cart delivers the goods with warmth and consistency that’s kept Echo Park coming back for two decades.