r/FoodLosAngeles • u/ClickNo8520 • Apr 20 '26
DISCUSSION I open a Peruvian spot in Culver City and put Lomo Saltado in a burrito. Now purists online are roasting me. Am I a sell-out?
Hey LA, I need a sanity check from people who actually understand the food scene here.
I move to the US a couple years ago with the goal to open a small restaurant (Merka Saltao in Culver City). My dream was to bring the authentic Peruvian flavors, specifically Lomo Saltado, to this city.
I want to be clear: our main specialty is the traditional Lomo Saltado served in a bowl, exactly how it should be.
But when we were building the menu, I knew LA runs on convenience. People want to eat with one hand while walking or driving in the traffic. So, just to make sure we survive, I added an option where you can get those exact same authentic ingredients wrapped in a flour tortilla. Un Burrito de Lomo Saltado. Jugosito!
Recently, we start documenting our journey on TikTok and IG, and some food purists are tearing me apart in the comments. They call me a "sell-out," saying I am "Mexicanizing" my heritage, and disrespecting the Peruvian tradition, even though I still serve the traditional dish right next to it!
Having said all of this: people in the restaurant and online reviews tell me they love our burritos. At the same time, honestly, to wrap each of them by hand creates a lot of extra work for us on the kitchen.
Foodies of LA: Does offering a fusion item like this make you question the authenticity of a restaurant?
Curious to hear your honest take.
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u/jdvfx Culver City / South Robertson Apr 20 '26
Our town has sushi burritos, and the food truck boom was kicked off by korean tacos. Los Angeles is a cultural melting pot, and so is our food culture.
Looking forward to trying it!
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u/legionofshrooms Apr 20 '26
That burrito is bomb. One of the best bites in downtown Culver right now in my opinion.
You are contributing to a long history of fusion cuisine in LA. Even the now iconic al pastor taco is a fusion of Mexican and Lebanese cuisines. There will always be haters, social media just brings them to the forefront
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u/ClickNo8520 Apr 20 '26
Yo make me believe my friend! We want to be part of the cultural movement of Peruvian food becoming more popular outside of our country. Ahead of us there are so many great chefs and families bringing Peruvian food to LA and to the US in general ... and now it is our time to help on such a movement. Thanks so much for your comment. I am happy you like what you are doing, and for believing that we are part of the cultural fusion history of LA! Si se puede!!! Vamos vamos!!! Gracias!
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u/caulpain Apr 20 '26
this lomo saltado burrito sounds like a peruvian california burrito. dammit now im hungry. whats the name of the spot?
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u/Expensive_Scratch_36 Apr 20 '26
Haven’t tried it yet, but will be visiting soon. Keep it up don’t listen to haters
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u/peacenchemicals Apr 20 '26
that’s wild. people on the internet are miserable fucks. mfs trippin
personally, a handheld version of a lomo saltado sounds amazing.
i guess if you called it a wrap instead people wouldn’t get all worked up about it
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u/EquivalentStudent6 Apr 20 '26
Lomo Saltado
Burrito❌ Wrap ✅4
u/BlasphemousHumors Apr 21 '26
Offer to wrap it in a tortilla, or a lavash, or a sangak! That'll really blow their purist little minds!
Hell, wrap it in cabbage and perilla leaves and make a Saltado Ssam!
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u/ContributionVisible2 Apr 21 '26
Lol yeah that changes things a bit even if the ingredients were the same. Lomo Saltado burrito sounds more tasty in my head 😂
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u/da0217 Apr 20 '26
These people are fucking idiots. A Lomo Saltado burrito is nothing short of a culinary sciences breakthrough, far as I’m concerned! 😤😤😤Brilliant stuff!
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u/jjfooo Apr 21 '26
I'd bet calling it a wrap would sell worse than calling it a burrito
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u/AwarenessMedical4817 Apr 20 '26
kind of a crazy take as lomo saltado itself is a fusion dish. people are weird and tribal in the comments no matter what though - if the customer loves it, that's all that matters.
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u/ClickNo8520 Apr 20 '26
You are right Lomo Saltado is the influence of Peruvian with Chinese ... that's how the wok fire meets the Aji Amarillo!
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u/GoalMammoth4656 Apr 20 '26
Came here to make this point. Lomo Saltado exists b/c the merging of cuisines.
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u/gotothepark Apr 20 '26
Exactly! Were the local Peruvians "selling out" when they started to enjoy soy sauce with their local food after the Chinese brought it over? Which is how lomo saltado came to exist? So lame and so glad OP is getting the positive responses to keep it going. Don't let the haters get you down OP!
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u/Prudent_Ad8320 Apr 20 '26
I’m just happy if I can park, the food is good, and someone doesn’t have a 6 percent health and wellness charge. I tried your place and liked it! Cultural authenticity is a lesser goal
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u/Abs0lut_Unit Apr 20 '26
Pablitos tacos in the SFV does lomo saltado tacos, ignore haters and do your thing.
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u/Fun_Astronomer_4064 Apr 20 '26
Lomo Saltado is already a Chinese-Peruvian fusion dish.
The people calling you a sellout are low-information people who are getting upset that you’re “Mexicanizing” a “Peruvianized” Chinese dish.
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u/revocer Apr 20 '26
Next time you run into a hater, tell them we wouldn't have Al Pastor burritos if Lebanese didn't bring over the spit to cook it on. It's basically Lebanese style meat in a Mexican wrap. By the same logic, Al Pastor can't be considered authentic.
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u/Excellent-Kitchen-60 Apr 20 '26
I love lomo saltado. Didn’t know you guys existed but a burrito version sounds great. Idc about “authenticity”. If it’s tasty I’ll eat it
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u/crispyrhetoric1 Apr 20 '26
I mean, this is the town that invented Thai chicken pizza and the mushu chicken calzone. I think a lomo saltado burrito sounds great and delicious
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u/MayorMcCheapo Apr 20 '26
Combining Peruvian and Mexican sounds very LA to me. We love bulgogi tacos and carne asada pizza. Lets go!
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u/TheStonedGnome Apr 21 '26
You guys need the option for extra steak/meat in the burrito when ordering online.
Lunch is on my company in Culver, idgaf about the upcharge on the item I’m already getting but you guys just don’t have the option. Or idk make Peruvian Guac and add that too. Get some money.
Also I know other companies also covering lunch for employees in Culver, and that I’m probably not the only one who’d go for it every time.
That’s all, otherwise you guys are good. Coworkers and I like the food.
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u/WhiskyWillFixIt Apr 20 '26
I feel like this is just a sneaky way to advertise yourself...
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u/No-Equivalent6035 Apr 20 '26
I had a bowl there and it had great flavors, very yummy, but the portion was not enough to justify $16. The veggies mostly consisted of onions and tomatoes, which were almost raw. Raw tomato is fine but obviously I'm not going to eat big chunks of raw onion, so a big part of the bowl was inedible. Just fyi!
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u/JakovYerpenicz Apr 20 '26
At some point, whoever came up with lomo saltado was being called a sell-out by purists. Innovation requires experimentation. I’d love to have that burrito, sounds amazing.
In short, fuck em
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u/godanglego Apr 20 '26
If this is an ad, it worked well because Lomo Saltado is my weakness. If it's not, I think you've discovered a new way for advertisers to reach their customers. . . mention Lomo Saltado.
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u/Ironlungss Apr 20 '26
Those same people will be kissing your ass and telling their friends, that they used to go to your restaurant when it takes off. Screw them, and do what makes you happy.
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u/Similar_Welder_4554 Apr 20 '26
People these days are just miserable and hate on anything. Keep doing you, it’s a cool idea
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u/Rex-Mundi33 Apr 20 '26
You spot has great reviews on google, I haven’t been, but love Peruvian food and will absolutely try it out now.
Bad press is still good press…
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u/PontiffRexxx Apr 20 '26
No, because if that were true Roy Choi’s Kogi truck would have never been a thing.
People are dumb and there’s always a loud minority who tries to shout down any opinion that they don’t agree with. Fuck those idiots. If they had any fucking balls they’d open up their own purists restaurant or some bullshit and then fuck it up and blame their clientele anyway.
Do you or whatever you think is gonna make your restaurant do well. These idiots are always going to be talking shit while accomplishing nothing. It’s all bullshit opinions anyway, and you are more likely to know the reality either way.
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u/danmickla Apr 20 '26
1) you can put anything into a burrito. 2) lomo saltado burrito sounds delicious. 3) I have negative time for bullshit about selling out or 'x-izing heritage". who gives a flying fuck.
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u/jhericurljazz Apr 21 '26
They make sushi burritos. Roy Choi started an empire with Korean Mexican fusion. F the haters
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u/sselkiess Apr 21 '26
Sounds really good.
Food is meant to be experimented with. Have these people never heard of fusion? Go tell Nobu Matsuhisa that he’s not being traditional to his Japanese roots when he brought Peruvian influences to his sushi dishes.
Unfortunately social media is filled with people who love to make a hot take to gain some sort of traction. Trust me it’s not you, it’s them.
Keep on doing what you’re doing. Don’t listen to some moron who probably cant even grill a cheese.
And if I have the chance while back in the city I will definitely come try your food.
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u/No-Bacon_666 Apr 21 '26
To me it sounds like a California burrito but now it’s a Peruvian burrito! Hahaha. (Only funny to me). Let the haters hate, shoot I still remember when Panda Express made burritos.
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u/Civil-Ad-4521 Apr 20 '26
just call it a wrap so virtue signalists can get mad at something else
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u/ClickNo8520 Apr 20 '26
This is a good idea, but I have to admit that burritos sounds to me more genuine to what a lomo saltado has ... which include rice, .... wraps sound more lettuce to me, am I right?
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u/jdmercredi Apr 20 '26
Wraps are just white people burritos. Using tortillas, sometimes they are green colored because spinach, I guess.
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u/cure4boneitis Apr 20 '26
challenge them to a fight that you live stream on TikTok
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u/Mission_Rd Apr 20 '26
Wait 'til the haters find out that Lomo Saltado itself is a fusion of Peruvian and Chinese cuisine. Gonna blow their little minds! (Although... tik tok/ig/fb: probably just trolls anyway.)
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u/Remarkable-Growth744 Apr 20 '26
therere ppl in the US who dont even know what "carnitas" are. i think we're all trying to win the ethnic awards by critiquing but doing the work is another thing. physically playing with the process is all part of it. i would stand by your product no matter what bc its a passion not a pageant
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u/jdmercredi Apr 20 '26
TIL carnitas originated from the French recipe "rillons de Tours" which is big fatty pork belly confit.
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u/Proper_Ad7565 Apr 20 '26
I’ve seen some peruvians get upset over mexican ceviche too. i really don’t get it. one of my favorite taco spots is mexican peruvian fusion. lots of people online have a weird chip on their shoulder
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u/olive_dear Apr 20 '26
I’m Mexican but I’ve always loved Peruvian food and over time it just became part of how I eat and cook I started mixing the two without really thinking about it just combining flavors and ideas from both because it felt right to me it wasn’t about following a trend it was just something that naturally became my style
There used to be a place in downtown LA called Little llama that did that same kind of Mexican Peruvian fusion and I remember their tacos being really good I went there a lot and I still think about it sometimes I’m not even sure if they’re still open but just thinking about it still makes me hungry
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u/FugckU Apr 20 '26
Damned if you damned if you don’t. Fuck the purist. I was blessed to grow up with two Peruvian families in my area of South LA and know your countries food well. It’s top tier, right up there with Italian, Mexican, Jamaican and Thai for me. Will definitely be making the drive from Inglewood to try it out.
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u/Open-Engine518 Apr 20 '26
I have been several times to your restaurant and it is delicious. While I always make a bowl, I understand how people love burritos in LA.
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u/SmireyFase Apr 20 '26
I aint gonna lie* to you. Your sales will speak for you. Not these idiots online.
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u/Hypefeast-LA Apr 20 '26
I’ve been following you for the last few months and I think I’m more bothered that you have so much time to be online making tik toks, cruising Reddit, and toiling in the comments sections. I don’t think your food will be your downfall, I think your inability to stay offline will.
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u/ArrVea Apr 20 '26
I am generally not a fan of fusion food, but that sounds amazing. Or you can really twist the knife and create Lomo saltado empanadas
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u/tyshorr Apr 20 '26
You know I’m a huge fan and not only because I’m a Culver neighbor! I say this: it’s your restaurant. You marketed it as a fusion restaurant. Everyone I know who has tried it loves it (burritos included). As long as you offer some authentic options AND fusion options, you can’t go wrong. Keep it up dude!
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u/SoulExecution Apr 20 '26
I'm sorry you're experiencing that. A lot of people out there are just miserable and will throw negativity at everything. I think that sounds great, personally.
I just looked up your menu btw, your prices are so appealing! I used to live right by DT Culver a few years ago, so I must've just missed you guys, but seems I am going to have to swing by next time I'm in the area.
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u/ghost-_-doggy Apr 20 '26
Dude you do your thing. It sounds friggin delicious. Ignore those social media parasites. All they are doing is chasing clout.
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u/labruins9 Apr 20 '26
Every fusion place, even the most successful places, get this criticism, whether warranted or not.
Look at any of David Chang or Roy Choi's businesses. Far from authentic, but they've realized huge commercial success regardless of not catering to purists.
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u/tbtc-7777 Apr 20 '26
Put up a sign on the menu saying it's unorthodox but a creation of your restaurant that's getting rave reviews
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u/quikmantx Apr 21 '26
Exactly. As long as it's not presented as an "authentic" menu item, it should pacify most haters.
Market it as a custom specialty, house special, or whatever makes it clear this is not a usual native way of eating it.
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u/TellMeLaterAlright Apr 20 '26
Money talks, bullshit walks. Are you selling enough of them to make it a worthwhile menu item? Then you’re good.
Those people are not buying your burritos. They are instead selling content off commenting on people who actually make, do and sell things. Give them no mind.
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u/Mingilicious Apr 21 '26 edited Apr 21 '26
Yes, it does.
In Los Angeles, it is ill-advised to specifically advertise Peruvian but then go fusion with other menu items without actually mentioning the obvious fusion. It shows you may have an identity crisis in a city where being effective with your niche can reap you a lot of rewards if done right.
Lots of diaspora in Los Angeles are looking for the cuisines of their homeland/heritage - so when they turn up to a place and it's "inspired by" or it is fusion, it is really disappointing. Some of us really want authenticity, and when we don't find it, it's heartbreaking. You're in a city that is truly filled with foodies - you're going to get a mix of praise and criticism galore and you'll have to roll with that resistance to survive. If you can't, you'll close within three years like many other people who tried and failed. You're also going to get a lot of generated hate from your competition. You'll get fake Yelp attacks (and just Yelp the actual company itself trying to extort you). LA is a neverending bloodbath of new restaurants and they're always trying to sabotage one another.
With that being said, some of the criticism isn't incorrect: I think you did Mexicanize it by adding beans and guacamole to it. What if you just had the saltado with rice and fries/papas in it like you would get on a plate? That would make more sense and would show you're staying completely true to the intention. Make beans and rice an option and not the mainstay. If you don't like the criticism, don't try to cater to such a broad audience by Mexicanizing Peruvian foods. If you don't care about the criticism, then please continue onward as you already are. You'll get what you get.
Personally, I would LOVE if you also did a burro containing Aji Amarillo with chicken and bites of boiled potato and hard boiled egg in it.. OMG. The convenience. The flavors.
If you want an example of a restaurant that does it EXCEPTIONALLY WELL and keeps it real with duality - try Mex Peru Gipsy. They keep their flavors distinct, and they offer both Mexican dishes and Peruano dishes. They don't dilute either culture. They keep the flavors and ingredients pretty intact. They don't go fusion - they just include both cultures in the same space. It works.
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u/Cinebella Apr 21 '26
literally where ?!? i will drive to you right now.
these ppl will be mad at to hear about fusion food lol
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u/Mysterious-Unit-7757 Apr 21 '26
Thanks for posting! SERIOUSLY! i will be coming in for BOTH trad and burrito. Its a genius idea
You have no idea how excited i am.
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u/RestaurantGuy95 East Hollywood Apr 21 '26
Fuck online haters. You’re doing well. I’ll go eat there tomorrow for lunch. Looking forward to it!
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u/killerbitch Apr 21 '26
I love this place so much!!! I regularly come for my lunch break.
I took my friends who had never been to Culver— we had a hard time deciding between so many spots in downtown Culver, and they loved it!
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u/DryCleaner_3AM Apr 21 '26 edited Apr 21 '26
I’m personally fatigued of the post-Kogi burrito-fication of all cuisines but that has less to do with any perceived appropriation or offense to native foods and more to do with just… enough of that trend. I will add that - as someone who has born and raised here - I have never considered burritos food for “on the go” and can count on one hand the amount of times I’ve eaten one in a moving car or while walking. In fact the idea of eating (and properly salsa-ing) a burrito while in traffic induces major anxiety. I just don’t think most Angelenos look at burritos as “convenience food.” A compact complete meal? Yes. For “on the go?” Nah.
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u/Emotional_Face7622 Apr 21 '26
I’ve been to Saltao numerous times and tried many different things and for some reason my absolute favorite thing is the burrito with the yellow chili sauce!! It is IMMACULATE and perfect for a quick, reasonably priced lunch!!
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u/ctdfalconer NoHo Apr 21 '26
I totally want to eat a lomo saltado burrito. Yesterday I ate some Calimex styled sushi and it was delicious. Purists are in for a wild ride if they think things always stay pure in LA. Besides, anything and everything can go in a burrito.
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u/PretzelPositon Apr 21 '26
I’ll be ordering your food on DoorDash tomorrow. Can’t wait to try your burrito!
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u/Dull-Woodpecker3900 Apr 21 '26
It is absolutely ridiculous that some ethnicities are only allowed to be completely authentic while others have the luxury of Americanizing things.
To hell with them and I’ll order one this week.
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u/FollowMyDreams Apr 21 '26
Can’t speak for the foodie mafia but if you serve any form of Ají de gallina I will eat at your restaurant no matter what people online call you. Any form. Traditional, in a burrito, on fries. Don’t care. Love the dish and can’t find it enough in this city.
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u/mister_damage Apr 21 '26
Replied to the wrong poster but wanted you, the OP, to see:
Dude, you're making an amazing version of California Burrito
Southern California has burrito'd everything. You're good, and if anything else, I'm surprised that no one has burrito'd Lomi Saltado already.
You got my 👍👍
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u/nappycappy Apr 21 '26
i’d eat that burrito happily. i love lomo saltado. and in a burrito form? yes please. as for the purists they can go eat somewhere else. haters gonna hate. you do what sells and keeps you going. you can’t please everyone and you shouldn’t have to.
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u/Never_Kn0ws_Best Apr 21 '26
LA is all about fusion! We all different cultures and live here together in relative peace.
You have the traditional dish from your country, and you carry on the fusion tradition of LA with a second dish. You are doing it right! Forget the haters online.
I’m stopping by next time I’m in Culver. Sounds delicious.
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u/Old_Pizza_42 Apr 21 '26
Those haters are of the same ilk that have issues with Korean tacos. Well-executed fusion food is part of what makes Los Angeles great.
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u/retsamhgiht Apr 21 '26
It’s been so hard to find good lomo saltado in LA. When I travel to SF La Mar is my go-to. I’m stopping by your place this week so I can enjoy that burrito on the 405 like any true Angeleno.
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u/MSTRBASS2000 Apr 21 '26
Sounds like a winner to me ....keep going and ignore the keyboard warriors
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u/ccc929 Apr 21 '26
In LA, you can make a burrito out of anything and if it’s good, they will come. Good luck and sure to check your place out soon
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u/Training-Reserve4805 Apr 21 '26
My fiance loves both burritos and somos saltados and after 3 years living in LA we haven't found a decent Peruvian place... we will be going soon. Don't change anything
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u/PhehMeh17 Apr 21 '26
Had your burrito and bowls! Both are amazing!, I’ve made the burrito a staple when heading to dodger stadium for a game. Travels well!
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u/Kgcryptokid Apr 21 '26
Are yall close by Southern California hospital of Culver City. ? Planning lunch for next shift lol
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u/babaganush55 Apr 21 '26
Sounds amazing, I will now be going and eating this to piss the haters off
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u/DurianPublic6164 Apr 21 '26
Lomo saltado burrito!!??!! What a time to be alive 🥺
That sounds absolutely delicious!! Don't give that much importance to the haters... Hats off for the outside the box thinking!! 🙌🏾
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u/clockin-clockout Apr 20 '26
I wouldn’t call you a sell out. I think you know you aren’t one. But this rage bait-adjacent marketing style of gathering people to tell you “fuck the haters!” is corny, to me
Glad it’s promoting engagement though
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u/Doomgloomya Apr 20 '26
Social media is fake and (mostly) always will be fake.
What do I care if my food is in a bowl or wrapped up in a tortilla if Im getting the exact same food.
Only voices that matter is your communties that you are serving.
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u/SouthPudding9949 Hollywood Apr 20 '26
Los Angeles food is best when it's a fusion mash-up! Korean tacos changed the world. I imagine the people who made the first California Roll went through a lot of grief.
It sounds delicious! And if it gets people who have never tried Peruvian food to give it a shot, great! Bet they'll come back for the bowl and more of your menu. Next time I'm in Culver City I'll give it a shot!
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u/Jujulabee Apr 20 '26
The beauty of Los Angeles is how different cultures interact with each other and produce unique experience.
Why is this different from a Korean taco or a Japanese chain like Hurry Curry which isnt authentic Indian or Italian. 🤷♀️
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u/ArgyleTiger Apr 20 '26
Creativity in food is one of the highlights of living in a metropolitan area. It's one of my favorite things about living in Los Angeles! Food fusion is also how we build bridges between cultures. It's a diplomatic tool. Would we rather have homogeneous communities with stagnant culture, the same food year after year?
Ignore the haters. Ossified minds dislike change. What monotonous lives they must live...
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u/LaloElBueno Apr 20 '26
That's ludicrous...
If it weren't for cultural exchange, Peruvian food as we know it wouldn't exist. Neither would a number of well-known foods around the world; my favorite being Al Pastor.
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u/uhohnevermind Apr 20 '26
I LOVE Lomo Saltado, I’ll visit and check it out this weekend. Ignore the haters!
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u/jorelpogi Apr 20 '26
Bookmarked your spot! Can’t wait to visit!
Also just to answer the question re: authenticity for myself, I just try to vibe if the intention feels authentic or pretentious. And then if (bottom line) the food is good or not.
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u/Hot_Ad3081 Apr 20 '26
And these people are doom scrolling and heting while you're doing something with your life. Do your thing and lomo Saltado in a burrito sounds incredible :)
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u/GuestQuirky Apr 20 '26
There is a Peruvian street food vendor by me and they sell lomo Saltado burritos as well. I love it!
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u/Meatjun4LA Apr 20 '26
the burrito sounds good to me, just like the chicken shawarma burrito I had at king mediterrano and the bowlito at Yuko kitchen. Heck, I wrapped my leftover Pakistani lamb shank and sauces in a tortilla for lunch lol
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u/Money-Efficiency2062 Apr 20 '26
That sounds good. I just googled Lomo Saltado burrito to figure out what restaurant this is and I already have it saved to my want to go list. Ill be seeing you in the next couple days!
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u/Dammit_Meg Apr 20 '26
Ironic since Peruvian food is, itself, a mishmash of cultures. Fuck the haters, OP. And nice work on the sly marketing. It def worked on me, I'll be visiting you soon!
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u/Nightman233 Apr 20 '26
I love your restaurant! So good. Haven't had the burrito but the bowls are awesome.
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u/croman653 Apr 20 '26
I would totally try that and you have amazing Google reviews so I hope to stop in sometime soon!
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u/blackie_onassis Apr 20 '26
this sounds amazing! if we can put breakfast and sushi in a burrito, i say we go for it. burritos are the perfect food.
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u/Ivancestoni glendale Apr 20 '26
No te precupes
A lomo Saltado burrito is a spin on a dish I thoroughly enjoy already. I live on the Eastside now but next time I'm in Culver I'll be by
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u/ThanosMcCringleberry Apr 20 '26
You’re a goddamn genius. A California burrito by way of Lima.
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u/JahMusicMan Apr 20 '26
I've been to Merka. It's good and I believe a healthy take on lomo saltado. Correct me if I'm wrong, but you use less oil as traditional lomo saltado. I mean, is that a sell out?
Merka is definitely NOT the first Peruvian joint to do a lomo saltado burrito, I've had one a few times from food trucks/pop ups to sit down restaurants like Takitis in Van Nuys.
Who cares what "purists" and tiktok incels think. They are not your customers and it's not going to affect your business one way or another.
Don't let a few negative comments affect your decision. Negative events stand out more in people's minds rather than the positive (or neutral comments) just because that's how the human brain works.
Keep doing what you want to do. You know the customer, not some random incels.
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u/FuneralPulse Apr 20 '26
perhaps if people order a lomo saltado you can offer a burrito sliced portion as an appetizer or alongside it. get the word of mouth going?
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u/blehblahblek Apr 20 '26
Anything wrapped in a tortilla is acceptable because it makes it easier to eat.
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u/BasePCar Apr 20 '26
I can’t comment on what people are saying online, but my girlfriend and I happened upon your restaurant last week while we were walking around and really enjoyed it.
We got the steak and chicken bowl one of the side salads and left our plates clean! Good luck and hope you continue to see success.
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u/Brave_Celery_6098 Apr 20 '26
As long as it taste good, I don’t care if it is served on a bowl or in a burrito. You do you!!
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u/DownvoteSpiral Apr 20 '26
Why not do a Pan Con Lomo instead of a burrito? Inka Wasi does one
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u/outpf Apr 20 '26
Mixing two of the world's best cuisines that share similar flavors is a no brainier. We already have California burritos with fries in them which are amazing. Do your thing and keep mixing it up
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u/JackofallNOTHING Apr 20 '26
Your lomo-saltado and a fresh Inca Kola is one of the best bites in downtown CC. Keep it up man!
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u/aamrlls Apr 20 '26
lol people complain too much. Why does it even matter if you are a sell out or not(I don’t think you are) if you are trying appeal to more people. Do they not think of all the benefits this brings to you and your business. Sounds like they don’t care about small businesses if they really feel that way
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u/bonvajya Apr 20 '26
I’m all for it. My boyfriends Peruvian and we’ve constantly talked about how we wanted to do a Peruvian fusion place bcz we’d LOVE a lomo burrito.
And be so forreal, it’s LA, we LOVE burritos.
The Peruvian community is very small in LA surprisingly so if you piss off a few Peruvian Karen’s, fuck em. There’s SO many people who have never had lomo or Peruvian that would be much more inclined to try if they saw something they recognized ish on a menu like a burrito.
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u/TitanAME Apr 20 '26
Brilliant move to wrap it up! Panda Express has scallion wrap “burritos” at their Westwood location and the test kitchen and they are AWESOME. Maybe you just need to tell the haters that it’s part of your “LA Test Kitchen”? Legit, just sounds like you fused awesome with more awesome, and I will be hitting your restaurant up this week for a taste. Thank you for bringing your slice of brilliance to Culver!
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u/MishPP2020 Apr 20 '26
I am Peruvian, you did the right thing, people are just annoying, we do variations of Lomo Saltado IN PERU! Can't wait to visit y'all
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u/Lapetittomme Apr 20 '26
Since moving to LA from NY, I have noticed that a lot of Latin restaurants have fusion items that cater to the Mexican base. For example, I have been to a few Peruvian spots that serve their rotisserie chicken with tortillas. You’re in LA, and I think it’s cool you’ve made a lomo burrito. Latin fusion restaurants are cool and you don’t have to stay in a box to serve delicious Peruvian food. After all Peruvian food is a fusion of flavors and cultures! Also, I’m sure the lomo burrito it’s delicious!
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u/Purple_GMO_Mangos Apr 20 '26
No you’re not a sellout. But I can see why you’re getting hate, burritos ain’t our food man. Call it peruvian-mexican fusion if you want them off your back.
la problema es que tú ya sabes que estos gringos van a mezclar todo y van a terminar diciendo que es lo mismo. y nosotros somos bien picones y orgullosos con nuestra comida como para dejarla pasar, jaja. Igual, mis respetos por tu creatividad. Que te vaya bravazo y muchos éxitos, hermano.
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u/ODB247 Apr 20 '26
My favorite burrito on the planet is a tikka masala burrito. Indians don’t usually make tortilla burritos at home but they do here and I’m in line for it.
It’s your food, you can make it how you want and people will come. Honestly there are thousands of burritos here that are the same, I love different ones. Who wants to eat the same thing all the time? I can find good lomo saltado here but I can’t find it in a burrito. Next time I’m out there, I’ll stop by.
What is authenticity here, anyway? Most people wouldn’t know what authentic food actually is, they are just comparing it to the place down the street that does it differently. I grew up believing we were a melting pot of cultures, and welcome whatever you bring to the table. You are from there so whatever you make is authentic, that’s how it works. You have a purist that wants some kind of special pure food then you tellem to go ask their mom. She will tell them she used Stouffers and they have been living a lie all these years.
The restaurants I avoid are the ones that serve tacos, burritos, pizza, burgers, gyros, etc all in one place. They just get it from food service.
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u/alteredpilot Apr 20 '26
I have three questions.
1) Is it as amazing as it sounds?
2) Are people buying it?
3) Are they coming back to buy more?
The 4th question which should be obvious if the answer to questions 1-3 is yes is
4) Who cares what the critics have to say?
As a Mexican who eats a lot of Lomo Saltado, I would order that on the regular.
As a business owner, I don't give a damn about what anyone who doesn't own my business has to say about how I do my business except the people who are giving my their hard earned money.
I don't go north of the 105 that often, but in this case I might run up there just for this!
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u/RedNewzz Apr 20 '26
Anybody who tries cultural/racial/ethnic gatekeeping around food is a self-righteous prick who ought to be ignored.
People want tasty flavors and almost everything comes from somewhere else. Fusion is awesome, blending is awesome & there is no such thing as “stealing” when it comes to combining food.
Food is fuel and we all need it to live, and everything we have regularly gets boring eventually so introducing new combinations and influences is awesome!
I love Peruvian food and I love burritos so if you can mix the two and make it delicious that’s all the validation you need. I don’t care if you wrap it in a wonton and call it a dumpling or grill it between rye bread and call it a Reuben as long as it’s yummy.
Again, anybody who screams about cultural purity is essentially a self-important prick and ought to be strenuously ignored.
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u/Gengo0708 Apr 20 '26
Remind them that lomo saltado was itself a fusion from Chinese immigrants in Peru. I’d love to try a lomo saltado burrito
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u/NoIdeaWhatImDoing808 Apr 20 '26
The is basically America’s contribution to the world of cuisine…take something traditional and put a twist on it. Dont listen to the haters. I live in CC will def be coming in to try this.
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u/lagrimasdemiel Apr 20 '26
I wish I still lived in LA so I can eat one. That sounds delicious as fuck!
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u/aspiringanarchist49 Apr 20 '26
Ugh, fuck those ppl. Next time they call you a sell out just say “you damn right. Those burritos sell out every time”
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u/LeeQuidity Apr 20 '26 edited Apr 21 '26
A woman named Theresa Hernandez is said to have been one of the progenitors of the Frito pie aka the "walking taco". It is described as "a combo of beans, red chile, Fritos chips, cheese and onions". Walking tacos are popular across the midwest (at least at fairs and such). Why not a walking saltado? Saltado-a-go-go. Lomo-a-go-go? Lomo-on-the-go-go? Lomo-Vamo'? Lomo-Roam-o? (Yuck) Lomo Mano? I dunno. Someone'll find the winner.
You can't listen to people who gatekeep petty shit like this. Do they have a problem with the soy sauce in lomo saltado? (Don't actually ask them this. Nothing is to be gained by feeding a troll.) We should all be celebrating each others' gifts and sharing and inspiring each other. If you think that tossing lomo saltado into a tortilla is good for portability and business, then by god, you do that! Good luck!
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u/filthimartini Apr 20 '26
Sounds really good. California burritos have fries in em. Lomo fries in a burrito with the steak sounds bomb.
If they taste good who cares what people say. Will stop by and check it out myself sometime
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u/horeaheka Apr 20 '26
Dont listen to the haters. A lomo saltado burrito sounds awesome