La Comida in the Bishop Arts Restaurant serves Yucatan favorites and Tex-Mex

If you’ve driven to the Bishops Arts District in Oak Cliff recently, you may have noticed significant changes in the area. The view of the majestic Dallas skyline once visible from Beckley Street is now obstructed by new apartment buildings. With the onslaught of new housing invading the once-quiet gateway to Oak Cliff, come waves of traffic pouring into the beaches of Bishop Arts. But among the somber concrete edifices blocking the natural light is a gleaming beacon that glows a glowing hot pink. This light from one of the newer restaurants to bless Oak Cliff.

La Comida is located just across the street from the Flatiron Building in a building that once housed the popular Spiral Diner. It is located on the corner of Zang Boulevard and Beckley Avenue near neighboring establishments Restaurant Beatrice and Beckley’s 1115.

Hotel La Comida is owned and operated by brothers Ivan and Mario Orticho. If all of this sounds familiar, you probably remember the original La Comida location in Addison, which closed in 2019.

In this new place, which opened earlier this year, the brothers kept the rustic exposed-brick exterior, but the interior now has a chic, modern feel that pops with bright, vibrant colors. This place has beach type feng shui that can kill any bad mood. Pink flamingos dot the place and out, recalling the brothers’ roots in Yucatan, Mexico.

Tex-Mex is prevalent in North Texas, but since the restaurant was inspired by the owners’ Yucatan upbringing, we wanted to try something more in line with their experiences. Like the United States, Mexico has regional food culture differences that are exclusive to different regions of the country. Oaxaca is known for its cheeses, and Monterrey for its Cabrito. Yucatan is known for its tropical rainforests and jungles, and since it is surrounded by water and seafood.

The list here has over a dozen sections, so having a corner to start with is a good idea.

We were intent on having a tropical seafood feast, but when we asked our server for the notoriously legit Yucatan dish, we were directed toward the Cochinita Pebble Taco and two sides ($13.99). Traditionally spiced pork (cochinita) is covered with banana leaves and then slowly roasted underground in an oven called a “pebe”, a dish and technique derived from the Maya people. We also got the Tropical Ceviche ($15.99) and an order of Mexican Caviar.

For the tacos, the corn tortillas come stuffed with cochinita topped with marinated onions, and they did not disappoint. We thought we needed the standard onion-cilantro mixture sprinkled on top, but after the first bite, we decided to keep our opinions to ourselves. It’s easy to see why this is a regional favorite.

The “caviar” is made with black beans, corn, and lime juice and is a great dish for a quick palate cleanse.

Tropical Ceviche was a favorite at the table. This Mayan-style ceviche comes with mahi and shrimp with mango, pineapple and cucumber, all marinated in house sauce and topped with avocado.

La Comida also makes traditional Tex-Mex classics, such as fajitas of every variety, tacos, and chicken dishes. Enchilada Wednesday gets you two enchiladas (cheese, chicken, or beef) with rice and beans for $9.99 during lunch and dinner. The Fajita Thursday Special is $14.99 for the chicken, or $15.99 for the beef or combo.

The restaurant does not yet have a liquor license and is BYOB.

It’s a great place to have dinner or lunch with friends and family, without the overcrowding and over-stimulation of the Bishop Arts heart. The La Comida family is very warm and welcoming, and the food is a great addition to the influx of new eating places in the area. There is no doubt that the Urtecho brothers and their flamingos will be here for years to come.

La Comida, 1101 N. Beckley Ave. , Monday through Tuesday, 11 a.m. to 8 p.m.; Wed-Thurs, 11am-9pm; Fri-Sat, 11am-10pm; Sunday, 10am – 7pm