TJ Falls

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Archive for the ‘Food’ Category

El Tepeyac Cafe – Manuel’s Special

Posted by TJ Falls On November - 6 - 2009

IMG_0788Line at El Tepeyac

After attempting our own Orochon Ramen challenge, Cecy and I wanted to continue in Adam Richman’s footsteps and explore one of his other stops during his Los Angeles Man vs. Food episode.  El Tepeyac Cafe in East L.A. is known as much for it’s charismatic owner Manuel as it is for it’s food.  We arrived in the early afternoon for lunch and already there was a well sized line outside.

Man Juice

After a brief 45 minute wait, we were finally able to get seats at the counter.  The owner, Manuel, promptly greeted us by bringing us with some complimentary "Man Juice."  A shot of Tequila for Cecy and a shot of Brandy for myself.  They don’t mess around here.  We knew what we wanted to eat, so we ordered ourselves a "Steak Picado Manuel’s Special" to split.

Manuel's Special

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

This 12+ inch, 5 pound burrito is the size of a small child.

Manuel's Special - Conquered

 

While Adam Richman may be a glutton for punishment and could probably finish this thing in one sitting, we decided to play it more casually and split the beast with the intention of taking some home.  Our strategy paid off.  We still finished a surprising 2/3 of it before calling it a day.

Orochon Ramen

Posted by TJ Falls On August - 9 - 2009

Adam Richman of Travel Channel’s Man vs. Food went to Orochon Ramen in Downtown LA to try their Special #2 challenge.  Cecy and I took a trip one afternoon to try out the food for ourselves.

Orochon Levels

Their menu has 7 levels (+2 Special levels) – from spiciest to non-spicy:

  • Special #2
  • Special #1
  1. Extreme Orochon
  2. Hyper Orochon
  3. Impact Orochon
  4. Orochon
  5. Osae Orochon
  6. Osae-Osae Orochon
  7. Non-Spicy Orochon

Adam Richman may have tackled the Special #2 on his first visit, we decided to be a bit more conservative, while still being bold.  I took on Level 3 (Impact Orochon) while Cecy ordered Level 2 (Hyper Orochon).

Level 3 for TJ, Level 2 for Cecy

The food was very spicy.  I don’t think I’d want to get anything more spicy.  In the end, I finished most of my soup with only some broth left (below).  Cecy finished less of her’s.  Trying both versions, it’s amazing how much spicier Level 2 was from Level 3.  I hate to image what a Special #2 tastes like!