The Barbacoa Queen of Los Angeles | Street Food Icons

Petra Zavaleta is the chef behind Barbakush, a street food operation that serves traditional lamb barbacoa in Los Angeles, by way of Puebla, Mexico. Petra, her husband, and her sons work together to create their lamb barbacoa, which is a true labor of love. They break down an entire lamb and build a traditional underground barbecue oven in their backyard. They serve their barbacoa on hand-made tortillas, and use every part of the lamb to create more dishes like consommé and lamb menudo. Petra, who learned this ancient method of butchering and barbecuing from her childhood in Puebla, is driven to succeed by doing things her own way. The goal of Barbakush is to bring this Poblano method of cooking to new horizons in LA.



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[BrandonTLuong]

You know she’s OG when she’s chopping up heads, flipping tortillas with her hands, and raised 8 kids. Mad respect. La verdadera reina de barbacoa ⚜️

[mayte_j]

"We dont kill an animal and just use some parts of it, its a waste of life".
This is wisdom, my respect to you and your family.

[dumdumdumbest]

This family deserves everything and then some very wholesome and extremely humble hope this video gives them a lot more business

[originalpersiankitty]

I love this so much. My mother grew up in Iran and to this day can slaughter a lamb faster than anyone I have ever met. She always stressed the importance of respecting the animals sacrifice to feed us. We didn’t waste anything. This wonderful woman reminds me of her when she talks. Many blessings to you and your family.

[Thebigmilkfish]

As a Chinese/ Filipino man in my 50s I have a deep love, appreciation and respect for what this family is doing. Learning the tradition of their family and passing it on. Lots of hard work and passion is in their food. You really can’t put a price on it. It’s priceless. I wish them much success 🙏🏽🙏🏽🙏🏽🙏🏽

[swayc]

Damn, it doesn’t really get more authentic than this! 💯

[squeedum]

If there's a pit in the ground with meat cooking inside of it, you know it's gonna be f**king delicious.

[nbn]

“It was a waste of life” glad they use the whole animal and respect it too! Good luck! Hope you guys keep succeeding

[AlgoCurioso.]

I wasn’t expecting that ending. “We would smoke weed and make barabacoa, one time i was so faded that i said, when you put it together it makes Barbakush”

[jayhu]

"Its like soul, you cant leave it alone" That touched me. This the kind of food i travel for. Much love

[mayrar]

“We’re not rich but we have a great life” 🙌🏽💜 Hard working Latinos . Proud to be Mexican !

[maxkill]

No wonder they say Mexican Food is some of the best in the world. This looks absolutely delicious! I wish to try it one day. Greeting from Italy 🇮🇹

[yashvardhansinghsolanki]

This belongs on the Michelin ngl. The sheer dedication and the love with which the family prepares it makes it worth it.

[KingDennisJensen]

Mexican people know how to do it, man. Respect from Canada <3

[sgtleobella]

'Barbacoa + Kush = barbakush and put them together and it's the bomb.'

Truer words were never spoken.

[KidTrappBeats]

“Barbakush” 😂😂🔥 It doesnt get more LA then that name

[Mrbuu]

Damn these guys put in HOURS on HOURS for this food its kind of crazy how much work and time goes into such a simple dish. Street tacos in LA are no joke

[jennifermorales]

Gente como esta da ORGULLO de ser MEXICANO ! Dios los bendiga siempre 🤎

[bgarcia]

I’m not even Mexican
Pero arriba Mexico 🇲🇽✌️✌️🔥🔥

[highflya]

Props to the neighbours who aren't Karens about people having in ground BBQs in the middle of the night.