WHY Warmth, a strong sense of neighborhood and a serious approach to food—and, more importantly, to Mexican chocolate in all its forms.

WHAT The name was a poor choice—everyone stumbles over it—but everything else about this richly colorful café/deli/market succeeds. You order at the counter to eat in the café or out on the patio, or to take out; there’s also a fine coffee bar that adds Mexican chocolate drinks to the usual mix. Try the cochinita pibil tacos, Tijuana-style Caesar salad, tortilla soup, cubano torta and the cheese plate. Some balk at the $2.75 tacos, but this is not a truck, this is a nice café with table service and flowers on the table, and you can bring your own wine.

WHO Eagle Rock people flocked from day one, including vegetarians grateful for the good choices.