8 of the Best Taco Joints in the City of Los Angeles

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Every city has its iconic food: New York’s bagels, Chicago’s pizza and New Orleans’ beignets. In Los Angeles, tacos reign supreme. Whether you like them traditional, with carnitas, carne asada or al pastor, or mixed up with flavor fusions like tofu, kalbi and kimchee, LA has nearly every type of taco you could conceive of—and many you couldn’t. As chef concierge Lori Coyle says, “When one thinks of Los Angeles, you think: sunshine, sandy beaches and epic tacos.”

 

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For a taste of Baja-style tacos, head to Mexicali Taco & Co. (Photo by Paul Yoo)

 

Despite its popularity, the exact origins of this folded favorite remain unknown. Some trace it back to the 18th century to the silver mines of Mexico, while others say they hearken back to the traditional meals of the indigenous people of the Valley of Mexico. But regardless of its history, today Los Angeles has made the taco its own, whether that means chefs like Roy Choi at Kogi reinventing the tortilla dish with ingredients like kimchee, or Wes Avila and his food truck Guerrilla Tacos bringing seafood-stuffed versions to the street. In the City of Angels, one thing is clear—it’s the tacos that are heaven-sent.

 

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Guisados has multiple locations throughout Los Angeles.

1. Featuring fresh, handmade tortillas, Guisados always has a line—and for good reason, since the menu features a ton of Mexican favorites with a gluten-free twist. The bistek en salsa roja (steak in red sauce), tinga de pollo (spiced, shredded chicken) and chicharron (pork rind) tacos in particular are standouts.  (Multiple locations; Echo Park: 1261 W. Sunset Blvd.; 213-250-7600)

 

2. Mexicali Taco & Co. offers up a taste of Baja, with a variety of dishes straight from Mexicali, Mexico. Choose from al pastor, asada, pollo, chorizo and even a vegetarian option on a flour or corn tortilla. (702 N. Figueroa St.; 213-613-0416)

 

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Los Angeles has many traditional taco joints. (Courtesy of Loteria Grill)

 

3. Travel to Yucatan with the help of Chichen Itza Restaurant and its menu full of authentic southeast Mexican fare, like the fish tacos, tacos de chicharron or tacos de poc chuc (pork marinated in citrus). (3655 S. Grand Ave. #C6; 213-741-1075)

 

4. North Africa meets Mexico at Revolutionario, with tacos featuring lamb pastrami with scrambled eggs, beef brisket bacon and Algerian merguez (a mutton-based sausage) with chorizo. (1436 W. Jefferson Blvd.; 424-223-3526)

 

5. Korean-Mexican fusions are ubiquitous in Los Angeles, and Cha Cha Chili does it well. The kalbi and bulgogi tacos are a standout and come with the classics: lettuce, cilantro and salsa. (4625 Valley Blvd.; 323-222-8900)

 

 

 

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6. Loteria Grill (6333 W. 3rd St.; 323-930-2211)

 

7. Komodo proves that it knows what combinations work with its fusion of Mexican and Asian flavors. Order a combo so you can try as many as possible. (8809 W. Pico Blvd.; 310-246-5153)

 

8. Petty Cash Taqueria (7360 Beverly Blvd.; 323-933-5300)

 

Ashley Burnett