Restaurant Guide for the Gold Line Eastside Extension Stops (Los Angeles)

Metro's Gold Line eastside extension spans approximately 7 miles, connecting East Los Angeles to the existing light rail's path from Union Station to Pasadena.

The extension, the newest link of the Gold Line has been hailed by some as a bridge opening East L.A. to the rest of Los Angeles County. At the same time, some say there is greater opportunity to be had for new development to occur along the latest extension of this transit corridor.

For those unfamiliar with what's around the newest stops, here's a guide to the food and entertainment that can be found along the Gold Line eastside extension. While not all of the stops have as much to do as others, each offers its own character and experience.

Little Tokyo
200 N. Alameda St., Los Angeles
12 bike racks, 4 bike lockers

Diagonal from the Metro stop is Senor Fish at First and Alameda, known for its Ensenada-style tacos. If you're looking for a heartier dish, try one of their combination plates, and if you're in the mood for something healthy, their salads are loaded with flavor.

Walking up 1st Street, you'll bump into the Japanese American National Museum where you can learn about the history of Japanese Americans, or share a cup of tea with someone in the Chado Tea Room. Museum admission is $9 for adults. Across from the Museum is the Japanese Village Plaza with several Japanese fast food-type restaurants. Make sure to visit Mikawaya for fresh pastries.

If you don't want to go up 1st Street, from the Senor Fish starting point, walk down Alameda. This will take you to another shopping center called Honda Plaza where you can find a Japanese grocery store, Sushi Gen (good sushi), shabu-shabu (fancy restaurant) or the Aloha Cafe (serving traditional Hawaiian dishes).

Pico/Aliso
1311 E. 1st St., Los Angeles
12 bike racks, 4 bike lockers

While there is not as much in the vicinity of this stop, what is here is Purgatory Pizza on 1st Street. If you like New York-style pizza as opposed to the chain stuff most are used to out here, try Purgatory. With its fresh ingredients and vegan pizzas, you're bound to get hooked on this quick.

Mariachi Plaza
1831 E. 1st St., Los Angeles
12 bike racks, 8 bike lockers

Mariachi Plaza is a great place to hear free live music. For fantastic burritos, stop in at Al & Bea's and then walk back to the Plaza to enjoy the music, or walk down 1st Street.

For seafood fare, try La Serenata de Garibaldi's fish enchiladas. Or, walk across the street from the Metro stop to La Placita del D.F. for all kinds of food - from quesadillas to tacos to fried flatbreads.

Soto
2330 E. 1st St., Los Angeles
12 bike racks, 4 bike lockers

If you can, get off at this stop at night to catch some of the street vendors serving fresh quesadillas and tacos. The only problem is that they don't set up shop for very long and their hours can be inconsistent. If you're in the mood for more sandwich-type fare, go to Cemitas Poblanas Elvirita on 1st Street. They serve up huge sandwiches filled with different kinds of meet cheeses, salsas and chiles.

Indiana
210 S. Indiana St., Los Angeles
43 free parking spaces, 12 bike racks, 4 bike lockers

For some of the best tamales, get off at the Indiana stop to visit Tamales Lilianas. They fill their tamales with all kinds of ingredients, from pork to pineapples. And for a shopping experience, walk across the street to El Mercado for all kinds of food, clothing, jewelry and more. It's a great place to find unique gifts.

Maravilla
4520 E. 3rd St., Los Angeles
12 bike racks, 8 lockers

The last three stops of the Gold Line may not offer as much as some of the other stops, but what you can find is just as good and worth taking the ride to. If you get off at Maravilla, make sure to visit King Taco. Or, if you missed Tamales Lilianas at the previous stop, just get off at Maravilla and walk back toward the Indiana stop.

East LA Civic Center
4780 E. 3rd St., Los Angeles
20 bike racks

Don't let the serious-looking office buildings fool you. Across from the courthouse, you can find Taco Real for good Mexican food made with fresh ingredients. They don't have really late hours and they are pretty small, which means you may want to order to go. But, it's definitely worth it to order something for takeout and bring it with you for the ride back home on the Gold Line.

Atlantic
5150 E. Pomona Blvd., Los Angeles
12 bike racks, 16 lockers

This is the end of the line, and across from the stop, you'll find Manny's El Loco for Mexican food. Visit Los Molcajetes for Salvadoran fare on Beverly Boulevard. Their claim to fame is the pupusa (which is a kind of flat bread stuffed with cheese or meats).