Highland Park World Cup Fever

The morning soccer crowd at The York.

Like seeing a movie in a theater, there is something about watching an event with people. So during the past 13 days of the MOST WATCHED EVENT IN THE WORLD, I tried to find a reliable place in 90042 to watch the daily games that started at 4:30 AM and ended at 1:30PM. (Really looking forward to World Cup 2014 in Brazil. -Just 4 hours ahead of Highland Park time.) After some not so intensive research, I have discovered when it comes to World Cup Fever, 90042 doesn’t have so much of a fever, than maybe a head cold.

The main problem is that most of the places in 90042 that are good to watch the deportes, are not the places that are open this early morning. (Oh, the days when Mr. T’s Bowl opened at 6AM and the drinks were correctly priced.) That being said, there are a couple of good places to catch the games with people here.

"Yes, there will be coffee. And beer."

There is the only gastropub in town, The York, opening at the god-awful hour of 6:30 AM for us Association Football fanatics. A good place to start the day, with food and drinks that are always exceptional. And a bloody marry really hits the spot with their breakfast. But so far the crowd has been underwhelming. We shall see who turns out as we get closer to the final game on July 11.

El Chapin, letting us know who's playing via flag signals in the window.

Just two doors down is the most spirited spot in Highland Park for Copa Mundial, El Chapin at 5010 York Blvd. The family experience here is great. If you grew up watching the World Cup with your family every four years, this place certainly will make you feel at home. Every match has its given county flag displayed in the window. Inside, you will find two big TVs playing the game, and THE BEST Huevos Rancheros in Highland Park.

Huevos Rancheros, Guatemaltecos style: black beans, queso fresco, platanos, bread, huevos con tortilla.

Outside 90042 in Eagle Rock is the Foodie Crack House named The Oinkster. A totally chill slow fast-food restaurant in the former Tastee Freez building, with beer, food, and cupcakes. (Serving up the best iced-tea in NELA the world, by Intelligentsia.) Their two large plasma screens provide ample viewage. The drawbacks are that they don’t serve breakfast, only show the 11:30 Game, and the place is packed with people who are there because they saw Oinkster on Diners, Drive-Ins, and Dives, and not there to watch 22 people on a field in South Africa kicking a ball around for an hour and a half.

Just down Figueroa Street in Cypress Park is the always reliable Antigua Coffee House. They open at 7AM and have a TV set up for your enjoyment. There also tends to be local soccer hooligans there to route with you. Besides, they have free wifi so you can write posts like this one.

Señor Fish just across from Little Tokyo's Metro Gold Line Station.

Heading south on the Metro Gold Line out of Highland Park station, just across 1st street from the Little Tokyo station is the sprawling Señor Fish. The restaurant and bar exist mostly to feed downtown government workers, but they have gone out of their way to equip every corner of the place with TVs and reminders that they have the World Cup spirit. Food and drinks are well priced, and Señor Fish has some of the best potato tacos around. They open at 6:30am.

Senor Fish is decorated with art by local artist, Leo Limon.

The bar at Senor Fish.

Official posters makes it official.

As fun and affordable as Senor Fish may be, the perfect place along the Gold Line to watch the World Cup has to be Lucky Baldwins on Raymond at Colorado in Pasadena. Their sign says it all: “SHOWING ALL GAMES LIVE 4:30AM, 7AM, 11AM.” The long-time beer mecca of Pasadena has the feel of a typical UK Football pub. It is a place where you can feel the excitement for the game. The beer is quality, the food is grubby, the TVs are a plenty. It was a popular place when the World Cup was played at the nearby Rose Bowl, and it is a popular place still.

Today, the United States qualified for the second round of 16 teams. When they play on Saturday at 11:30AM against the Ghana Black Stars, I hope to see you at one of these fine local World Cup-quality gathering places.