About Time: You Went on a Taco Tour in Los AngelesBy Angelica Malin
Chrissy Teigen is our kinda gal. Having ditched the Oscars to stay home and feast on tacos, we thought it was high time we discovered the best tacos being dished up on the West Coast.
If you can relate to Chrissy Teigen’s love for these perfectly formed circles of heaven (let’s be honest, who can’t?), we’ve put together a list of the ten best taco hangouts in L.A (and if you’re looking for some fun in the UK, check out the best casino bonuses uk for the ultimate thrill-seeking experiences). Here’s what’s hot off the griddle:
1. Aqui Es Texoco
What to Order: Quesataco barbacoa – seared fresh cheese served on tender lamb
The Lowdown: While there’s an ever-growing choice for tacos in Los Angeles, Aqui es Texcoco raises the bar with their quesataco barbacoa, differentiating themselves from other barbacoas served in L.A. This San Diego-inspired spot manages to import Mexico’s mango pulque curadito (a typical Mexican drink) to accompany the different options the restaurant offers, such as tacos stuffed with fragrant fillings like chicken, huitlacoche (Mexican corn truffle), mushrooms, zucchini flower and poblano pepper.
Where: 5850 S Eastern Ave, Commerce, CA 90040, USA
2. B.S.Taqueria
What to Order: Lemon-pepper chicken chicharrones – chicken skins, chicken oysters, lemon and shishito
The Lowdown: Having joined thriving 7th Street in 2015, B.S. Taqueria has become an addiction for taco lovers in L.A, thanks to their amazing cocktails, consistently good tacos and enchanting design by All the Bells & Whistles. Side note: their tres leches cake with brown sugar meringue and macadamia nut is a thing of utter joy.
Where: 514 7th St, Los Angeles, CA 90014, USA
3. Cacao Mexicatessen
What to Order: Duck Carnitas Taco
The Lowdown: Inspired by the traditional French method for making duck confit, the Cacao Mexicatessen clan use the same classic cooking technique for preparing their carnitas creations. The outcome? The best duck carnitas tacos that’ll ever pass your lips.
Where: 1576 Colorado Blvd, Los Angeles, CA 90041, USA
4. Guisados Echo Park
What to Order: Camarones (fajita-style shrimp) tacos
The Lowdown: Since December 2010, Los Angeles has been bewitched by Guisados with its quick expansion through different locations including Echo Park, Downtown L.A. and Burbank. Guisados is renowned for their home-style braises served on handmade corn tortillas, made to order from the fresh ground masa next door at Carnitas Uruapan. If you can’t decide, try the sampler plate which features six mini-tacos: you can take the first six on the menu, or mix and match.
Where: 1261 Sunset Blvd, Los Angeles, CA 90026, USA
5. Homestate
What to Order: Breakfast tacos – regardless of the filling you get, the handmade flour tortillas are a thing to remember.
The Lowdown: Breakfast tacos need to be more of a thing in the UK, seriously. Homestate dishes up the early morning goods like nobody’s business. Think handmade flour tortillas crammed full of fluffy scrambled eggs, bacon, potato, refried beans and cheddar.
Where: 4624 Hollywood Blvd, Los Angeles, CA 90027, USA
Photo Credit: Michael Manes
6. La Flor de Yucatán
What to Order: Try the special plate of traditional delights like Chirmole (pork in beans and a chile and spice paste), or the weekend regional vaporcitos and colas tamales
The Lowdown: Despite the bakery’s limited seating, this place knock up some insanely good taco concoctions. If you’re a creature of habit (ourselves included), stick to the classics here such as the cochinita pibil (roasted, marinated pork) and relleno negro (turkey in a black recado).
Where: 1800 S Hoover Street, Los Angeles, CA, USA
7. Mariscos Jalisco
What to Order: The simple, pocket-sized tacos de camarón
The Lowdown: If you feel like Chrissy Teigen on Oscars night, and we agree tacos are absolutely the way to go, try this mobile taco landmark, where ultra-seasoned, crispy, fried and folded tacos are stuffed with plump shrimp and a secret combination of veggies. Add an oregano-dusted tomato salsa and generous wedges of buttery, ripe avocado and you’re all set for a good time.
Where: 3040 E Olympic Blvd, Los Angeles, CA 90023, USA
8. Petty Cash Taqueria
What to Order: Octopus taco
The Lowdown: Petty Cash Taqueria’s unique serving of octopus is delightful – it’s proper life affirming stuff. They char it until it reaches a luscious, pork belly-like texture, crispy yet melts-in-your-mouth. The octopus is then placed on top of a handmade tortilla, with additional melted cheese softly blanked over it, accompanied with peanuts and pickled onions.
Where: 7360 Beverly Blvd, Los Angeles, CA 90036, USA
9. Sky’s Gourmet Tacos
What to Order: Beef tacos (don’t miss the veggie friendly shiitake mushroom taco too)
The Lowdown: Sky’s Gourmet Tacos have been around for donkeys years (1992 if you’re wondering). This place features a unique style of Mexican food with a splash of soul, and 90’s decor to boot. The salmon-hued walls, colourful neon signage and family portraits will have you questioning which decade it is. You didn’t come here to drool over the decor, you came here to drool over their perfectly cooked beef tacos.
Where: 5408 W Pico Blvd, Los Angeles, CA 90019, USA
10. Tacos Leo
What to Order: al pastor tacos that are directly shaved off the rotating spit (trompo in Spanish) onto a pair of griddled tortillas
The Lowdown: Take a stroll to the most popular and beloved taco truck in L.A. Tacos Leo’s tacos are definitely worth the wait, and if you’re a real taco connoisseur, ask for an al pastor taco on a handmade tortilla to get more meat with even better texture.
Where: 1515 S LA Brea Ave, London Angeles, CA 90019, USA