WHY Simple, perfectly grilled pork, beef and chorizo tacos. WHAT Some love the carne asada, others prefer the lengua (tongue), but all agree this truck parked outside the Vons market on Alvarado grills up some of the best meats in the area. Come anytime after 7 p.m., but expect crowds later in the evening, when [...]
January 11, 2013 | Posted in
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WHY It’s a place of tremendous simplicity: you got your hot-from-the-fryer fish tacos ($1.50) and your shrimp tacos ($2), and you can buy a canned soda or fresh horchata ($1) to drink. That’s it. WHAT This seriously funky taqueria is run by a guy named Joseph, who jokes and flirts and sometimes lays down the [...]
November 28, 2012 | Posted in
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WHY A basic place for basic food: L.A. burritos that are cheap, juicy and delicious. WHAT For decades, this utilitarian stand has served as a hub of Boyle Heights life. Located near Mariachi Plaza, the Metro station and Hollenbeck police station, it’s where everyone in the ‘hood goes for a burrito, to eat here or [...]
November 14, 2012 | Posted in
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WHY It’s everything a modern taquerĂa should be in Los Angeles—adaptive and inventive yet traditional and classic. WHAT Guisados was born from the minds behind Cook’s Tortas, and here they channel the creativity of Cook’s into homey stews and braises swaddled in sturdy, rough-hewn tortillas. The menu is forever changing, but keep an eye peeled [...]
June 13, 2012 | Posted in
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WHY Meltingly tender al pastor and savory chorizo tacos and burritos, served late into the night. WHAT One of L.A.’s finest taco trucks lives in the parking lot of the car wash at the corner of York and Avenue 53, and it has a devoted following. The al pastor is smoky and richly spicy, the [...]
May 28, 2012 | Posted in
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WHY A top contender for L.A.’s best fish tacos. WHAT Still called by its former name, Tacos Baja Ensenada, this stylish lime-green former burger stand turns out seemingly weightless battered fish tacos whose textural contrasts of crunchy cabbage, crackly battered, moist fish and tart, rich crema are an epiphany. A tiny ceviche bar serves blends [...]
May 5, 2012 | Posted in
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WHY Al pastor tacos at midnight. WHAT All the meats that go into the tacos and burritos are good, but the real reason the people line up every night is for the pork al pastor, among the best in taco-truck land. WHO Mexican families and the young and restless, stopping in between clubbing and bar-hopping. [...]
March 18, 2012 | Posted in
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WHY Mexican dishes with a jolt of traditional flavors in a casual, eco-friendly storefront café. WHAT Tinga’s owners were inspired by Santa Barbara’s deceptively casual La Super Rica. Their thick corn tortillas also have a house-made heft, with cochinita pibil pork tacos as spicy as advertised. Taco plates, quesadillas, burritos and tortas made with steak, [...]
January 25, 2012 | Posted in
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WHY Just because you enjoy retail therapy on 3rd Street doesn’t mean you want to spend $30 for lunch. And sometimes you want a great taco. WHAT Pete White paid his dues (25 years!) at Poquito Mas, and at his solo venture he uses farmers’ market produce and quality seafood and meat to produce some [...]
October 28, 2011 | Posted in
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WHY Excellent Baja-style fish tacos. WHAT Ricardo (better known as Ricky) has had to move his weekend street stand around, but lately he’s been consistently in the parking lot at the Kimarge Salon—and there are even tables in the shade! He makes just one thing, fish tacos ($2.50), and they’re terrific, the fish fresh from [...]
October 28, 2011 | Posted in
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