Food & Drink

Latin Flavors Food & Culture Tour

Los Angeles, CA

From: $135.00 4 Options Available
Based on For 1 Person
Option & Pricing:
Please select an option above.
Location
Los Angeles, CA
SKU
FDK-LOS-0089
Overview

Discover the city's Latin flavor by exploring the culture and traditions of the East Side on one of the most unique food tours in Los Angeles.

  • Your friendly and knowledgeable guides have been featured in the Los Angeles Times and Westwaysmagazine
  • This tour is consistently top-rated on TripAdvisor
  • Explore Los Angeles' culture rich Eastside while sampling traditional Latin foods and riding between stops on the Metro Gold Line
  • Stops on this tour include: L.A.'s first tortilla factory, a nationally renowned tamale shop, a bustling 3-story mercado, an authentic birrieria, a bakery knows for their tres leches cake and more
When Do I Choose A Date?
Either yourself or the lucky recipient can make a booking and select dates once you are in receipt of the voucher. You'll register the voucher, follow the booking instructions and your experience with us begins!

Year-Round:
Monday & Friday 10:00 AM

Essential Information
  • Tickets and reservations are required for all guests ages 5 and older. Guests under 5 are free provided they do not participate in the tastings.
  • Please inform Virgin Experience Gifts of any children attending at the time of booking
  • Gratuity for your tour guide is not included but is customary
  • It is strongly recommended that you bring a bottle of water with you
Duration
3.5 hours
Experience Provider Info
Complete information for your Experience Provider, including contact information, will be included on your booking confirmation email once you or your gift recipient have scheduled the experience. Our Product Management team handpicks top-rated experience providers, removing the guesswork for you and ensuring your peace of mind.
Maximum Participants
Up to 12 participants
Spectators
This experience is only for those on the tour.
Weather Dependent
This experience is not weather dependent and is held rain or shine regardless of weather conditions. Always contact your experience provider with any questions about weather conditions.
What To Wear
Wear comfortable clothing and shoes appropriate for walking and weather conditions.
Is it safe to ride LA's public transportation system?
Absolutely. You will be safely and confidently led by a guide who is well-versed in riding our local trains and how to navigate around the train stations. It is strongly recommended that you stay with the guide at all times. The provider is confident that you will very much enjoy this special journey, especially if it's your first time riding the Metro trains!
Do I buy my own train ticket before the tour starts?
No, your ticket for the tour includes your train transportation.
This seems like a long tour. Do people get bored?
The guides do their best to keep all guests thoroughly entertained for the duration of the tour, and most feel that the time goes by very quickly. This amount of time is needed to transport guests between tasting stops via the train, so the tour is subject to the train schedules and even minor delays on occasion. An important part of the tour is the train experience, so travel time must be included for the distance that is covered. Rather than becoming bored, most guests are stimulated by an exciting sense of adventure!
If I am bringing an infant or very young child, do I need a ticket for them?
Children are most certainly welcome on the tour, and infants or young children under the age of 5 do not need tickets if they will not be participating in the tastings. Please let us know if you will be attending with an infant or young child at the time of booking.
Are there restrooms on the tour?
Yes - at most tour stops a restroom is available. There are no restrooms at the Metro Stations. Be advised that there is no restroom available immediately before the tour begins. The first stop with a restroom is visited about 20 minutes after the tour begins.
How much food is served on the tour?
There are 8 stops for food tastings and servings are fairly substantial. For most people, the tastings provide enough food so that lunch afterward is not necessary.
What types of food are served on the tour?
You'll taste foods from Latin eateries exclusively, many of which are prepared from traditional recipes that include animal product ingredients. Fresh salsas, tamales, roasted meats, fresh tortillas, Mexican chocolate, and pupusas are the signatures of this neighborhood, and those which are sampled on this tour.
What if I have dietary restrictions?
Please let us know if anyone in your group has a dietary restriction (i.e., vegetarian, nut allergy, gluten free, etc.) at the time of booking. With enough advance notice, we can arrange for substitutions in some instances (i.e., vegetarians, nut allergies). This tour has limited options for other dietary restrictions. Please be advised that for those with dairy or gluten allergies, no substitutes are available at 2 or 3 of the 8 tasting stops. For vegans, there are no substitutions available at 4 of the 8 tasting stops.
Are there any beverages served on the tour?
Three tasting stops include a traditional beverage. It is recommended that you bring along a bottle of water or other non-alcoholic beverage; especially in warm weather, we recommend staying hydrated. Food and beverages are not allowed on Metrorail trains or platforms.
Is there any alcohol served on the tour?
There are no wine tastings or other alcoholic beverages served on this tour. It is recommended that guests return to visit certain merchants after the tour, to leisurely enjoy an alcoholic beverage if they'd like.
Is the tour wheelchair and/or stroller accessible?
The Metro Gold Line trains are wheelchair and stroller accessible, as are all of the stations (elevators), and all tour stops. Please let us know in advance if you are in a wheelchair or have any mobility issues, and we will do everything possible to ensure you remain with the group at all times.
Should I give the guide a tip?
Tipping tour guides is customary in the industry, especially if you had a great time and wish to recognize the guide for a job well done. A $9 tip per guest is appreciated.
Why would an L.A. local take this tour?
Unless you live in the immediate neighborhood of this tour, chances are good that you are unfamiliar with what is unique and special and you may have never explored these off-the-beaten-track tour stops! Trying something new and different keeps the LA local spirit alive and our guides think locals will find a food tasting tour to be a fun and novel alternative to the usual leisurely lunch, a great way to spend time with a group of friends, or even celebrate a special occasion. It's also entirely possible that one just might find a few new favorite dining or shopping haunts along the way. Finally, if you haven't experienced riding the Metro Gold Line, you are in for a treat.
How far do we walk? Is it a fast-paced tour?
You will walk approximately one mile, between tour stops and within Metro stations. Most of the walking is on flat, easy terrain, with escalators/elevators in the metro stations. Walking is mostly at a leisurely pace, but please do be advised that it is necessary to arrive at train stations on time so that the tour maintains its schedule for everyone's benefit.
Do we just walk around and sample food?
Not at all! Aside from sampling delicious food from a variety of eateries along the way, you will also get an insider's look at what life is like in this particular neighborhood of Los Angeles. The tour is fully narrated by your guide who will offer you colorful insight about the neighborhood, from its history to architecture to surprising local legends and more. The tour guide will also point out and discuss additional, noteworthy restaurants and other interesting places in the neighborhood which guests may choose to explore on their own at a later time.
What happens if it rains?
The tours are held rain or shine. While rain is a rare occurrence in southern California, it does rain occasionally. In instances of heavy rain or local flooding, you may be notified that the tour for that date and time is canceled, and you would be able to reschedule your tickets, receive credit for a future tour or receive Virgin Experience Gifts credit for another experience.
How should I dress?
Casual and comfortable is key. If you are sun sensitive, it is strongly recommend to bring a hat or a parasol and sunscreen, as depending on the time of year, some of the walking you'll do will be in bright sunshine. You will be on your feet for a significant portion of the tour walking between tour stops and within Metro stations, so please wear comfortable walking shoes.
Is there time to shop on the tour?
A limited amount of time is allowed for shopping at several stops. Some wonderful souvenir items, Latin groceries, and prepared foods are available for great prices, and guests are encouraged to shop. You are welcome to bring your own lightweight canvas or insulated bag for carrying purchases.

Returns
Experience Vouchers that have not been redeemed can be returned hassle-free within 30 days. All refunds will be made to the original purchaser.
Exchanges
Experience Vouchers that have not been redeemed can be exchanged for anything else in our marketplace at any time.  If you choose to exchange for an experience that costs more, you'll simply have to pay the difference. If you choose to exchange for an experience that costs less, you'll have a credit towards your next booking with Virgin Experience Gifts.

Cancellation Policy

Once you have scheduled a date and have received a booking confirmation, all bookings are final and no cancellations will be allowed. You may reschedule up to 7 days prior to your scheduled date. This may be subject to a 25% rescheduling fee and the rescheduled date must be to a date within 60 days of the original tour date.

Location
East Los Angeles - Los Angeles, CA

Customer reviews

4.5 out of 5 stars

Based on 3 reviews

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