My whole family has been fighting the flu or just bad colds all winter. The cool, damp weather just runs us down. We’ve been downing gallons of tea and Emergen-C. We’ve also been getting bowls of matzoh ball soup at a few different places around town, though none worth writing about. My mom makes it way better – this is just for medicinal purposes.
This morning we decided to change it up and went to El Jacalito Oaxaqueño (12618 W Washington Blvd Culver City, CA 90066) for a hot bowl of higadito. It was perfect for what we wanted.
When the steaming bowls arrive at your table, there’s a vague sense that you’re suddenly in a pizza show. It’s the oregano. The higadito at EJO is thick with scrambled egg (which sort of has a matzoh ball quality) and plenty of chunks of stewed chicken and tomatoes. The broth is rich, spicer than the broth in a deli’s chicken soup. Add a few drops of the salsa on the table to give it a bit more kick.
EJO has been rec’d before on this site so I won’t take you through the menu. It’s one of many family-run Mexican places in my neighborhood and a darn good one. A drive-across-town destination? No. You probably have a place like it where you live. But it is a real, solid homemade meal if you live near the 90066 and the higadito is perfect when you’re a bit under the weather. We felt so much better after having some. (It’s 8.99 for a nice, big bowl)
Feel free to pass along your spot for soup when you’ve got a cold or the flu.