We are the faces behind TLALLI
As the children of immigrants, we are proud of our cultural heritage and the ancestral food knowledge passed down by our relatives.
TLALLI is an Indigenous Nahuatl word that means Earth; a living force, sustenance and spirit.
Our menu invites you into the living traditions of Mexico, Guatemala, El Salvador y Belize—guided by the ingredients, techniques, and stories that continue to shape the table, with a fresh point of view.
Across Mexico, we prepare dishes rooted in place: Mole Poblano from Puebla, Morisqueta and tacos de carnitas from Michoacán, and tamales from Nayarit—each reflecting the character and history of its region. From the Caribbean coast of Guatemala, our Tapado de Coco brings together seafood, coconut, yucca, and green plantains in a dish that speaks to Afro-Caribbean heritage and the rhythm of the sea.
These foods carry deep cultural meaning. Many are prepared using pre-Hispanic methods—wrapped in banana leaves or corn husks, cooked slowly and intentionally—and feature ingredients that have sustained these regions for generations: heirloom corn, cacao, insects, wild vegetables, and a wide range of fresh and dried chilies. Our tortillas are made from 100% organic masa and hand-pressed to order.
At the same time, we bring a modern, playful touch shaped by our own journey—drawing from world travels, the energy of LA street culture, and a willingness to reimagine the familiar. You might find that spirit in something as simple as a hot pink tortilla, or in unexpected expressions that sit comfortably alongside tradition.
We also honor the African influence woven through Latin cuisine, expressed in ingredients like plantains, hibiscus, yucca, tamarind, and coconut milk—flavors that continue to shape the identity of these dishes.
At the bar, this same spirit carries through. We feature small-batch whiskey and gin from Mexico alongside a selection of Latin spirits, with cocktails built around maíz, cacao, tamarind, hoja santa, and housemade bitters.
Come experience a menu grounded in origin, shaped by tradition, and brought forward with care—and just enough edge to make it our own.
Al Air Libre
Enjoy year-round outdoor dining in a private walled garden with a cozy heated patio.
Freddie
Freddie Herrera, owner and award-winning mixologist brings his ancestors, rooted in Guatemala and El Salvador, as well as his contemporary LA swag into his unique bar program. Freddie has over twenty years of experience starting and managing restaurants with a clear mission rooted in health and cultural preservation.
Manya
Manya Orescan Campos, cultural curator and creative director, is a celebrated poet, educator and culture bearer who weaves art and storytelling into every corner of the space. Manya brings twenty years of front of house restaurant experience and learned how to make tortillas, round like the full moon, from her Mexican mother.
