Where can i get a great taco?
I love em Iam always lookin for a good one.. crispy soft you name i wanna hear about it..
thanks
taco
Apr 03, 2007 07:39PM
I love em Iam always lookin for a good one.. crispy soft you name i wanna hear about it..
thanks
taco
Apr 03, 2007 07:39PM
Folks, the Chowhound Team loves and respects our very own Bandini's Taco Hunt blog as much as everyone here.
All the same, we removed several posts with nothing but a link to that site, because we want *your* L.A. taco opinions and recommendations here.
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Here is a link to a previous "Chowhound" thread which discusses the taco offerings at El Parian. Contained within this thread is a post which has a link to Bandini's "Taco Hunt" blogspot. This should give you more than a few ideas for tacos in the greater LA area.
http://www.chowhound.com/topics/80728
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I think what is also causing us to just give you a blanket overview is you gave us a blanket question. It really helps if you're looking for more than "a good one". Do you like al pastor? Carnitas? Tripitas? Cabeza? This will help spur the discussion along.
Sabor a Mexico is getting a lot of attention at the moment, but I haven't been yet. I like El Super Taco on Santa Monica Blvd, but my ideal taco place would be Loteria at half the price.
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Good point on at least throwing us a bone of some sort... Westside? Eastside? The Valley? OC?
How about in hopes to start some kind of decent thread, Tacos Por Favor for their super cheesy tacos with chorizo? That will set you back on your cholesterol allotment...
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Second that. Taco flavored kisses to Bandini for turning me onto the chorizo 'n cheese at Por Favor!
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Another great -- but greasy -- chorizo taco is the one at Chulada Grill on San Vicente and Hauser. The pico de gallo there is fantastic. The chorizo tacos are not on the menu and sometimes are not available, but they will often make them if you ask.
I also like the chorizo tacos at Tacos La Fonda, but it is hard to pass up the asada there.
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I sense a new thread forming - "Chorizo Taco Battle Royale - El Super Rica vs. The World."
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La Super Rica's Chorizo Taco is good but so is the one I had 2 days ago at Sabor A Mexico. It's small and $1.95 but so good that I actually left the salsas (roja & habanero) in the little cups while I ate the taco! No, I didn't chug the salsa right out of the cups after, nah, I wouldn't do that!!!
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Then who did? ;) My mission this week is to make it to SaM. I feel a need for something really good...
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Super Rica is mediocre.... I don't understand why people like it so much. Their salsas are absolutely, unmitigatedly terrible... and all the tacos are poorly executed.
With that said.... Huarache Azteca. in South El Monte... has the best Chorizo taco I've had in L.A. They import it from the Toluca.... the world's capital for Mexican style Chorizo.... and serve it up in a number of styles. I like the Chorizo & Nopales with Avocado & Salsa Verde incarnation.
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This place sounds really good-- Huarache Azteca in South El Monte. Is it related to the Highland Park restaurant of the same name?
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Actually its not.... I do know the place on York? However the place on York is pretty decent.... ask about stuff not on the menu. Also, if you are persistent they will cook Mexico City specialties they otherwise wouldn't it. Like Huazontle fritters... or Romeritos in Mole Sauce etc.,
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Huarache in Highland Park has some great stuff, but I would not recommend the tacos there. They taste good, but are supremely greasy. Puddles of grease, greasy. For the best soft taco in the world, go to the the La Estrella taco truck parked on Figueroa, north of York. The one on York and Ave. 54 is good, too.
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The one on York and Ave 54 is called El Pique and their al pastor tacos are some of the best in the city. Much better than anything on the Estrella truck IMO. The asada and the lengua are good too.
Another truck that deserves a big shout out is Taco Zone on Alvarado by the Vons just South of Glendale Blvd. They have awesome suadero, chorizo, and carnitas and they make their own very tasty horchata.
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Okay, I need to get a taco-- today! :)
Please explain "rajas" to me. I've never heard of this.
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Its roasted poblano strips. In Central Mexico they are often tossed together with carmelized onions, drizzled with a little bit of crema and served as a hearty salad or side dish. In taqueries they are served in a taco of melting, slightly stinky cheese.
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Shoot, this sounds good (not the stinky cheese, but the roasted poblano pepper strips). Maybe this is the precursor to the onions and peppers in fajitas?
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Probably.... Puntas a la Poblana is similar.... Filet Tips quick fried with Rajas (no cheese), but there are some differences:
> Fajitas are seared in a hot plate
> Fajitas use skirt steak instead of Filet Tips (and nasty Bell Peppers instead of Poblanos)
> The seasoning in Puntas a la Poblana is much more subdued & refined than the typical brash, in your face powdered garlic & cumin combination common in Fajitas.
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Where do you suggest for good rajas in LA?
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Right. I want to know too.
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I've asked in posts, but have never gotten a good response. I had them once at Loteria, but they were disappointing. But I always compare rajas to La Super Rica's. I think La Super Rica's rajas tacos are alone worth the drive to Santa Barbara.
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Thanks, Jwsel. Actually, this is the first time I've ever heard of rajas. They sound yummy. I didn't realize La Super Rica was in Santa Barbara. I wish that I could get rajas today, somewhere in Pasadena or near downtown LA. That would be great!
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Uhhh.... the one time I tried them a Loteria Grill they were much, much better than at Super Rica. With that said....
Huarache Azteca in South El Monte
There are several small Poblano eateries in South Central in the vicinity of Adams & Figueroa that offer good renditions.
There are other places that have offered them in various dishes... Border Grill in Santa Monica, Babita & La Huasteca among others.
But truth be told... you have to head south to TJ. The place is called Antojitos Poblanos and its in the Plaza Rio Tijuana near the parking lot hallway adjacent to Comercial Mexicana... the food is incredibly tasty, inexpensive in a clean, folksy environment. Its the nearest place that delivers a rendition about as good as you get in Puebla.
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Eat Nopal, thanks so much. I am so hungry now. This is a bit torturous, though. TJ? Oh, man.
Maybe, I'l go to Loteria. I know...but it's closer.
Thanks, again. South El Monte is also an option for me this week.
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If I am ever back there I will give those dishes a try.
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ok well gee I am located sorta in the Whittier area kinda between L.A. and O.C. As for my preference i do love a good carne asada burrito with the works cabbage, cilantro, onion, cheese, salsa.. sour cream.. mmmm also I love a good crispy taco haven't found a decent one so i have to make them myself.. so is that better? hope thats more to go on for all you foodies.. thanks
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For a lot of folks in L.A. this will be so familiar but if you haven't been, head over to Taco’s Baja Ensenada and try a Fish Taco and a Shrimp Taco washed down with a big Horchata! Don't forget a handful of Chilis Guerros from the salsa table. Reduced taco prices on Wednesday's (TODAY)!!!
Taco’s Baja Ensenada
5385 Whittier Blvd.
East Los Angeles, CA
323 887 1980
http://www.tacosbaja.com/
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Or El Taco Nazo... La Habra and La Puente... or Senor Baja in Santa Fe Springs...
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Agree! TBE is a regular stop for me. I really liked El Taco Nazo the 3 or 4 times that I tried their Fish/Shrimp Tacos and again Chilis Guerros but I haven't been for a while, not since the reported dispute that resulted in the conversion of some stores into Senor Baja.
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Tacos Baja rocks. I could live on their shrimp tacos. I'd also recommend El Parian for carne asada tacos and El Taurino for al pastor.
You may want to consider a full-on "Taco Tour." http://infinitefress.blogspot.com/200...
Add King Taco, Carnitas Michoacan, and Tito's to the list, and you'll be one happy taco-eater -- and a prime candidate for bypass surgery. Enjoy! :)
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Mmmmm... Carnitas Michoacan... *salivate*
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If you live in Whittier, go to Chema's tacos on Whittier blvd (near Palm I believe). Great Tacos, get the Al Pastor and Asada. (If you're looking for crispy tacos, I can't help ya)
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I tried Chema's per your rec. and you're on the money. Good Asada tacos. Thanks for the tip.
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I really like the al pastor and lengua tacos at Boca Del Rio in La Puente. Very tender meat, fresh toppings, and great portions. They're "regular" soft taco sized tortillas but with all the meat on it, it's the size of your fist!
I always get it with "everything" - onions/cilantro, finely chopped cabbage, guacamole (freshly made daily!), sour cream, with green salsa.
Boca Del Rio
1163 N Hacienda Blvd
La Puente, CA 91744
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I second this rec. It is crazy how much they put on these tacos when you say, "everything." I thought the whole thing would just fall apart but it stays together as you turn your head to get it in your mouth. Every time I go I am unable to make up my mind which one I want. What I do is order three tacos. I get one of each of the asada and one of those very tender lengua and request "everything" on all three. I like the red salsa. It has a great taste. When I go in the morning around 9:00 those three tacos last me all day and I eat very little at dinner. IMO these are among the best tacos in LA. Great rec!
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The best tacos I have had were at the Grand Central Market in downtown. There are a couple of places but the Carne Asada tacos and carnitas tacos at the place against the wall is fab. and the fish tacos at the place near the thai place might be the best I have had! Plus, free parking.
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i agree wholeheartedly, i love that place. i stopped going to grand central market when they had that awful kitchen fire and had to close down for several months. try the lengua, best i've had.
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Is there any place in Grand Central that does great FISH TACOS? I went to Ana's, thinking they would have fish... but no luck! (Anyway, I think it was called Ana's. It's connected to an outpost that sells seafood.)
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There is a stand there, right BEHIND Ana Maria's... we had the most amazing scallop taco there...
--Dommy!
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Dommy: Many thanks!
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Three Words:
Roast To Go :)
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Is that the place in Grand Central Market?
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Si!
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Thanks!
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El Pecas #2 on Olympic and LaBrea after seven or eight at night...dollar tacos and the Al Pastor will make your tongue slap your whole head off!
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I am anywhere that the AP will make my tongue slap my whole head off!! Thanks! ;-)
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Me too except that I'm laughing too hard to drive!
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Your driving? Oh yeah, this is the future.
Another of my favorite phrases like that is, "So good it make you go home and slap your momma!"
I should make a mention of a taco that I like to keep this post up...
Man, those Grand Central Tacos rule, it's just a damn shame they ain't got no brains.
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Well, they've got cabeza. Is that close enough?
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Cabeza's good, but it ain't brains. That's just the meat from the outside of the head, not the inside.
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Sesos(brains) is the ticket. Almost impossible to find now but for those in OC, Taco Boy on Euclid in Anaheim still serves sesos everyday. Worth the trip and load 'em up with the salsa verde!
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what about good al pastor or carnitas on the westside- santa monica, ect..
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thanks to all of you who replied! love the info and the food talk
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Did you try any of the suggestions? If so, how were they?
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well i just figured out how to find my old post's so no didnt try em yet but i have been to Boca del rio.. thats yummo!! Have you been to El Rey in Chino... MMMM so good its on Riverside/Ramona...Great salsa's and beans... The carne asada is just how i like it..Check it out
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I so rarely am in that area of So. Cal. that it is unlikely that I will get there anytime soon (if ever). If you do try any of the rec'd places I look forward to reading your comments. Until then I will just keep reading all the chow taco (talko?).
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Go to any King Taco. Mostly around East La Area but one in pasadena old town.
If u want a one-of-a-kind...Omanas tacos in El Monte..10300 Rush St, South El Monte up the block from El Tepyac(the best mexican breakfast place by the way) try the pozole..to die for.
come to think of it...El Monte has some killer eating places..from good Pho to tacos...just need to get there more often.
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