When Lebanese immigrants began arriving in Mexico in the late 1800s, they brought with them a great gift—shawarma. In Mexico, pork supplanted lamb, tortillas replaced pitas, and the popular dish eventually became known as al pastor.
![Ignacio and Felipe Santiago](/content/dam/ace/publications/food-and-drink/restaurants/boyle-heights-xtiosu-kitchen/xtiosu-kitchen-ignacio-felipe-santiago-520.jpg)
Brothers Ignacio and Felipe Santiago opened X’Tiosu Kitchen in 2017.
Since 2017, brothers Ignacio and Felipe Santiago have been offering their twist on this cultural exchange at Lebanese/Oaxacan restaurant X’Tiosu Kitchen. Raised in a small Oaxaca town, the brothers spoke only Zapotec when they came to the U.S., but they went on to work as cooks at a popular Lebanese restaurant.
![Hummus](/content/dam/ace/publications/food-and-drink/restaurants/boyle-heights-xtiosu-kitchen/xtiosu-kitchen-hummus-520.jpg)
Oaxacan hummus with whipped black beans and Oaxacan spices.
At X’Tiosu (SH-tee-oh-soo), they show off their chops with creamy hummus, mouth-puckeringly tart baba ghanoush, and perfect falafel balls. The culinary synthesis reaches its peak in their tabbouli, which replaces the bulgur with nopales, and their chorizo, which is grilled kebab-style.
![Chicken Shawarma Tacos](/content/dam/ace/publications/food-and-drink/restaurants/boyle-heights-xtiosu-kitchen/xtiosu-kitchen-chicken-shawarma-taco-680.jpg)
Cauliflower taco and chicken shawarma taco.
The unremarkable storefront hides a vertical spit stacked with juicy, spiced chicken shawarma. It makes an excellent taco heaped with house-made “arabesque salsa,” a combo of salsa verde and tahini finished with pickled turnip.
![Tabbuli](/content/dam/ace/publications/food-and-drink/restaurants/boyle-heights-xtiosu-kitchen/xtiosu-kitchen-oaxaca-tabbouli-680.jpg)
Tabbouli Oaxaca with nopales, tomatoes, cilantro, onions, parsley, and citrus dressing.
X’Tiosu Kitchen
Dinner prices
Sides, $5.25–$9.25; entrées, $12–18; desserts, $2.50.
Information
Closed Mondays. 923 Forest Ave, Los Angeles, CA 90033. (323) 526-8844.
AAA discounts
![Seared scallops arranged on a plate Seared scallops arranged on a plate](/content/dam/ace/discounts/partners/chart-house-scallops-735X275.jpg)
![Woman pumping gas Woman pumping gas](/content/dam/ace/discounts/partners/853962856-woman-at-gas-station-735x308.jpg)