About This Spot

Stepping into Gish Bac, located just off the bustle of Washington Boulevard in the heart of Los Angeles, feels like a gentle invitation to slow down and savor the rhythms of Oaxacan tradition. This is a place where time stretches comfortably—where conversations hum beneath the warm glow of simple lighting and the faint aroma of rich, earthy spices wraps around you like a familiar shawl.

The pace here is unhurried, balanced between the soft clatter of kitchen activity and the subdued murmur of diners sharing moments that feel both personal and unforced. The space itself strikes a humble note, modest yet welcoming, with a small back patio quietly tucked away for those who appreciate the blend of fresh air and close company.

More than just a restaurant, Gish Bac is a tactile connection to a deeper slice of Mexican culture where recipes hold stories and every bite carries a sense of place. The dishes come with a comforting generosity, revealing layers of craftsmanship—whether in the delicate, almost pillowy warmth of freshly made tortillas or the smoky echoes of slow-cooked barbacoa. There’s a thoughtful richness here, never rushed, that invites you to explore familiar flavors anew and discover specialties that unfold with each mouthful.

The people behind Gish Bac add another dimension to this experience. Their genuine warmth breathes life into the space, making visitors feel more like guests than customers—a place you want to come back to, not simply for the food, but for the connection. Even when the spot hums with anticipation during busier moments, there’s an earnestness in the way the team moves through their tasks that anchors the atmosphere in authenticity rather than pretense.

Parking might require a small walk and a bit of patience, but that slight effort mirrors the kind of meaningful investment one makes when seeking something truly worthwhile. At Gish Bac, the culinary journey feels like a shared discovery, a quiet celebration of flavors and human moments that linger long after the last bite.

What’s Available Here

  • IconHas wheelchair-accessible car park
  • IconHas wheelchair-accessible entrance
  • IconHas wheelchair-accessible seating
  • IconHas no-contact delivery
  • IconOffers delivery
  • IconOffers takeaway
  • IconServes dine-in
  • IconHas fast service
  • IconServes great coffee
  • IconPopular for breakfast
  • IconPopular for lunch
  • IconPopular for dinner
  • IconGood for solo dining
  • IconServes coffee
  • IconServes comfort food
  • IconServes food
  • IconServes healthy options
  • IconServes organic dishes
  • IconQuick bite
  • IconServes small plates
  • IconServes vegetarian dishes
  • IconServes breakfast
  • IconServes brunch
  • IconServes lunch
  • IconServes dinner
  • IconHas catering
  • IconServes dessert
  • IconHas seating
  • IconHas toilet
  • IconCasual
  • IconCosy
  • IconFamily friendly
  • IconGood for groups
  • IconLGBTQ+ friendly
  • IconPopular with tourists
  • IconTransgender safe space
  • IconAccepts reservations
  • IconAccepts credit cards
  • IconAccepts debit cards
  • IconAccepts NFC mobile payments
  • IconCredit cards
  • IconGood for kids
  • IconHigh chairs available
  • IconHas kids' menu
  • IconFree of charge street parking
  • IconFree parking lot
  • IconSomewhat difficult to find a space

Location & Hours

Guest Reviews

Alina Lopez 13 Dec 2025

Yes food is Pricey but it tastes amazing . The owners of this restaurant are really nice and they always great us with respect . The Best Oaxacan food I've ever had . I totally recommend this spot . I personally love the Enfrijoladas. And about the parking there's always parking around the library when you really want food from this restaurant you don't care about parking a block away .

Pilar Johnson 23 Oct 2025

Wow. Run to this barbacoa. We ordered both the white and red Barbacoa. The red Barbacoa was similar to a consommé soup and delicious. The white Barbacoa is just flavored with a dry rub rather than the red soup the very similar, I would order the white if you just want more of a meat taste, but order the red is you want a more robust spicy flavor? We also ordered an appetizer - pizza-type thing, which was a base lay of beans topped with meat and cactus. Eh, I could have done without but it was a nice presentation.

Joshua Perez 12 Oct 2025

One word.. ADDICTIVE! The service, atmosphere, and food were excellent! We had mole, barbacoa, and empanadas, but the star of the show was the mole. I’m usually indifferent about mole, but this is the best I’ve had thus far! I definitely want to return in the future!

M Ch 01 Oct 2025

We tried this place for the first time during Cilavia because it was featured on the website. Maybe because of this, it was chaotic to get a table since there was no clear signage for a wait-list and we got passed up by parties that came after us.The food was good and the portion is pretty big for the price though. Their tortilla was really soft n good, possibly handmade??? Will give it another go on a regular business day if we are around.

Candy Martinez 24 Sep 2025

The food is good We went for dinner last night and the place is decent clean. They have a patio on the back For appetizers we ordered a side of molotes witch consists of a dough made from corn,that is filled with a mix of mashed potatoes and chorizo and then fried in lard or oil. Plus the barbacoa bowl was boom! There was only one waitress and she did her best to offer great service to everyone

Jared Cohee 17 Sep 2025

???????? MÉXICO (Oaxaca) Excerpt from Eat the World Los Angeles: It seems like much longer than just over a decade since this Arlington Heights institution opened and immediately starting attracting Oaxacan communities and general food lovers alike. While it may be slipping off listicles and year-end round-ups that need to infuse freshness and fad, it consistently makes some of the best Oaxacan food in the city and that will probably never change.

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