Chef Andrew Ponce's A Tí Emerges as Iconic Modern Mexican Restaurant in Los Angeles

A Tí, a restaurant in Echo Park, Los Angeles, was founded by chef‑owner Andrew Ponce after a 2021 pop‑up bar experiment. The venue opened for a trial run in September 2024, originally under the name Bar A Tí, and quickly became noted for its modern take on Mexican cuisine.

Signature dishes include crispy beef tacos fried in thin corn tortillas, topped with Tillamook cheddar and sweet tomato salsa. Ponce draws on his experience at Bestia, Jon & Vinny’s, Cento Pasta Bar and the short‑lived Onda, blending Mexican‑American heritage with techniques learned in Italian kitchens. His partner, Anna Kawanishi, helped secure the space after her work at the former Kushiba restaurant.

The menu reflects Ponce’s culinary background and personal history, offering a contemporary reinterpretation of Southern‑California Mexican food while honoring family influences and the city’s food culture.