I give this four stars because of the experience, not because I think this is a swell, quaint, dreamy place.
As botanicas go, this has to be the darkest energy I have ever...felt, smelled and sensed.
But the San Simon shrine is worth the money for your exorcism later. Three statues of San Simon (his mouth open) so you can stick a cigar in it. This Guatamalan Saint, apparently a Beacon for the Poor, asks for Cigars, Whiskey and money as your offering. I was dying to drop my AA meeting directory in the soup of wax at his feet (once skulls, they had now burned down to the mandible.) But then there are statues of Buddha, Mother of God, Grim Reaper and some saints, but the favorite is the Skeleton adorned in a wedding dress to the left. I asked the "wife" "Why is that skeleton in a wedding dress?" She explained in Spanish "some woman prayed to be married and Death asked for the wedding dress after he granted her wish."
This goes a step beyond any "day of the dead" kitsch.
Also, for a Saint, Old San Simon is a snappy dresser. Ranchero hat, bolo tie, black duds. The dude is cool and I'd give him some Whiskey. Yeah he's not the problem.
The problem is the strange Voodoo man piercing holes into you from behind the front counter (aka: El Indio de Samayac). He is the one I'd be worried about.
So here is the way to do this - go straight to the shrine, check it out, try to sneak a photo, then get the heck out of there and don't buy anything. If you are going to buy some botanica candles there is a warehouse half a mile east on Pico.
I seriously think, however, if you wanted to put a blanket curse on the republican party...and you decide to use candles from this joint, or better yet, hire the Indio de Samayac to do it, it would be pretty darn effective. read more