Mona Holmes is an editor at Eater Southern California/Southwest, a regular contributor at KCRW radio, and a 2022 James Beard Award nominee.
Less than a few miles east of Montebello’s popular BLVD MRKT is a new food hall home to 15 food vendors plus a full bar. With similar concepts in San Juan Capistrano (Rodeo River Street) and a second one that’s Disneyland-adjacent (Rodeo 39), Rodeo 72 Public Market debuted on Saturday, May 3, in an expansive and stunningly redesigned space that was formerly a juvenile correctional facility in Whittier.
The 20,000-square-foot Rodeo 72 comes from Almquist, the developer behind San Juan Capistrano’s Heritage Barbecue property and Whittier’s retail complex, the Groves. Consulting development partner Jasmin Gonzalez filled the food hall with bright murals by local artists and the Grailed Gallery tattoo studio, along with an expansive lineup of notable dining options. The full list can be found on Rodeo 72’s website, but here is a taste to start:
- Smorgasburg veteran serving tacos de canasta, the Basket Taco.
- Known for hulking breakfast sandwiches, the fourth location for the Brea-based chain, EggBred.
- Creative aguas frescas by newcomer Las Chelaguas.
- The second location for Karai Handroll Bar.
- The Inka Spot debuts at Rodeo 72 and serves traditional Peruvian including lomo saltado, chaufas, and rotisserie chicken.
- Primal Cuts is a butcher shop and restaurant that serves smash burgers, picanha or ribeye steaks, with sides like tallow fries and heirloom carrots.
- Shootz takes inspiration from Hawaii with Kimchi katsu chicken platter, macaroni salads with shredded tuna and boiled eggs, and a spam brulee musubi.
Once diners order their food, they can find a wine selection solely from California, craft beer, and cocktails with televisions that will be programmed for Southern California sports teams at Rodeo 72’s Capo Public House…