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El Granjero Is the Original Farmers Market’s Colorful New Cantina

An impressive lineup of culinary talent has descended on one of LA’s crown culinary jewels

A blistery quesadilla with a small side salad and bowl of salsa and sour cream.
Quesadilla at El Granjero Cantina
Michael Brown for El Granjero Cantina
Farley Elliott is the Senior Editor at Eater LA and the author of Los Angeles Street Food: A History From Tamaleros to Taco Trucks. He covers restaurants in every form, from breaking news to the culture, people, and history that surrounds LA's dining landscape.

Foot traffic is back at the Original Farmers Market in Los Angeles, and that’s a very good thing for the brand new El Granjero Cantina. The casual Mexican restaurant opened June 29 in the former Ulysses Village space, which closed back in 2018 after 16 good years in business, and is already drawing in customers. So what to expect from the laid-back spot with the colorful interior?

First, a lot of culinary talent. El Granjero is a collaboration between a bunch of busy names, including chef Jenni Sklar, who previously worked everywhere from Lucques and Son of a Gun to the celebrated Sierra Nevada haunt the Whoa Nellie Deli. Grace Whaley, formerly of Redbird and Pizzeria Mozza, is the restaurant’s new general manager, and the whole place is owned and operated by John Moshay, who also runs Fritzi Coop elsewhere in the market. Neal Fraser is on as a partner in El Granjero Cantina, and Amy Knoll Fraser even designed the dining room.

From above, a plate of fish tacos with lots of yellow sauce drizzle.
Fish tacos
An overhead shot of a plate of salad with fresh vegetables and lots of colorful flowers.
Market salad

As for the food, El Granjero pulls from the classic American Mexican cantina playbook with options like nachos, fried tacos, quesadillas, and lots of antojitos. There are of course salads, protein bowls over herbed rice, and kids menu items as well, considering the family-friendly and dietarily diverse crowds at the market and nearby Grove outdoor mall. Tobin Shea of Redbird consulted on the opening cocktail menu, offering drinks like agave-based old fashioneds, frozen strawberry margaritas, sangria, and more. The opening menu can be found here.

El Granjero Cantina opened for service yesterday at 6333 West Third Street, and is keeping daily hours from 11:30 a.m. to 8 p.m. for now, with an extension to 9 p.m. on Friday and Saturday nights. Reservations can be made via Resy.

A colorful dining room with bulb lights overhead and a teal bar at the end of the room.
Inside El Granjero
Matt Kroger / The Right Now

The Original Farmers Market

6333 West 3rd Street, , CA 90036 (323) 933-9211 Visit Website