Three Food and Drink Veterans Are Taking Over El Chavo in Los Feliz

If you’ve been wondering what’s to come of the El Chavo space in Los Feliz, you’re not alone. The neighborhood has mostly been out of the loop on the future of the longtime casual Mexican eat and drink spot on Sunset, but now comes news that some mighty big names are moving in — at least for the short term.

Octavio Olivas of long-running pop-up Ceviche Project is teaming up with Freddy Vargas from Scarpetta and Brandyn Tepper of Cocktail Academy (and previously Hinoki & The Bird) to craft a sort of three-headed dinnertime hybrid.

Olivas will run a slew of raw bar components — oysters, big eye tuna tostadas — while Vargas works the rest of the evening-only menu, turning out dishes like fried pig ears, tacos, tortas, and more. Tepper handles cocktails, many done with tequila and mezcal to keep with the theme of the place.

While this ongoing pop-up doesn’t have an ending date of yet, it’s likely that with all three guys very busy with other projects there will come a time soon enough when it disbands. Until then, the owners behind El Chavo will be focused on revamping and upgrading the space in anticipation of their permanent new concept, whatever that will happen to be.

The first night of this new service at El Chavo kicks off on Saturday, January 16, and will run indefinitely from then on. Hours are Tuesday through Sunday from 5 p.m. to 11 p.m.