Downtown Downey’s dining strip is getting a fresh face this summer, as local operator Erika De La Teja prepares to open Aria's Table at 11045 Downey Ave in a storefront previously occupied by a neighborhood bar. The compact all-day restaurant is set to serve breakfast, lunch, and dinner, combining Mexican American plates in the morning with Mediterranean-leaning dishes later in the day. Named for De La Teja’s daughter, the project is one of several new concepts targeting the city’s downtown corridor. No firm opening date has been set.
Menu and concept
De La Teja told What Now Los Angeles that Aria's Table will operate across all three dayparts. Breakfast will focus on Mexican American dishes, while lunch and dinner are expected to lean into Mediterranean-inspired offerings. She also confirmed that the restaurant takes its name from her daughter and said a follow-up interview with additional details is on the way.
Space and history
The address at 11045 Downey Ave previously housed Bastards Canteen. Recent listings show the venue as closed, clearing the way for a new operator to move in. MapQuest still ties Bastards to the location but flags it as “Permanently closed.” The vacancy, paired with steady foot traffic along the block, positions the space as a natural fit for an all-day concept looking to catch both early and late crowds.
Owner and local track record
De La Teja is no stranger to the local hospitality scene or the city’s development conversations. Coverage by What Now Los Angeles has noted her work on other neighborhood restaurant concepts. Separate reporting in The Downey Patriot has outlined her involvement in local redevelopment efforts. That combination of restaurant and property experience could help move Aria’s Table through permitting and health-department reviews, provided approvals continue without major hiccups.
Downtown dining
When it opens, Aria's Table will plug into a lively stretch of Downey Avenue a short walk from Lock & Key Social Drinkery (THE LKSD) and Joseph's Bar & Grill, both of which routinely draw evening crowds. Their presence hints at potential crossover for breakfast traffic and late-night bites as people circulate along the corridor. Listings on OpenTable and the Joseph's Bar & Grill site highlight the neighbors’ hours and help illustrate the mix of daytime errands and weekend nightlife that already defines the block.
What's next
The team behind Aria's Table has not announced an opening date, and De La Teja has indicated that more details will follow as construction and permitting wrap up. This story will be updated when the restaurant confirms a soft-opening timeline or releases its full menu.
