The LA Times’ food writers ate hundreds of tacos to identify the 101 best tacos in Los Angeles, a task that took months. We found weekend stands that set up before dawn, taco stands that sling trompos late into the night and beloved taquerias that have come to define our modern taco and street food cultures.
Every Angeleno has a favorite taco stand. It might be the one that's most convenient to them, or it might bring back a special memory or nostalgia. Readers weren't shy about telling us which tacos they love that didn't make our list. We've compiled some of their suggestions below, along with some sweet taco memories that prove the power this dish has in our city.
Get to know Los Angeles through the tacos that bring it to life. From restaurants to trucks, carts and more, here are 101 of the best in town.
According to JD Roux of Westchester, “The best taco is a matter of personal taste. I prefer crispy tacos with juicy shredded meat, plenty of cheese, and a sauce that complements the taco well but doesn’t overpower the other ingredients. For this, I prefer Low Noise “I went to Baja Sonora Tacos on Clark in Long Beach. My father first took me there in 1998 and I have been going there for over 25 years. I don’t add anything else to my Baja Sonora tacos outside of the standard ingredients. That being said, I think Baja Sonora’s salsa bar, and specifically the medium salsa, is the best in all of Los Angeles County. If I didn’t love tacos so much, I would go there just for the freshly made chips and salsa.”
2940 Clark Ave., Long Beach, (562) 421-5120, bajasonora.com
Audrey Young is from Los Angeles and her favorite tacos are from Brown sheepa gourmet taco stand from Chef Ray Garcia. She has been visiting for five months and says, “The chicharrón de fundido taco is unique and delicious. It's made with fried and braised mushrooms, salsa macha, and Jamaican onions.”
1254 S. Figueroa St., Unit 806, Los Angeles, level8dtla.com/location/taqueria-oveja-brown
Aileen Cho calls a new taco shop in Eagle Rock “a local gem,” explaining: “Social tacos “It’s easily one of the best places in the neighborhood to hang out. I’m not a hipster at all, but this is a “hip” place that makes everyone feel welcome. The tacos are influenced by multiple cuisines (there’s nothing more LA-y) and the fact that “Top Chef” winner Ilan Hall is on it is even more LA-y.”
1627 Colorado Blvd., Los Angeles, (323) 739-0383, tacosocial.com
Ivan Santillan lives in Anaheim, but is willing to make the trip. The Taquero MuchoHe told us: “I have been visiting them for two years. I go to Montebello to try their cochinita and chicharrón tacos. The asada tacos are also good.”
520 W. Whittier Blvd., Suite G, Montebello, (562) 417-7077, lostaqueromucho.square.site
Christian Padilla, who grew up in Pico Rivera, says the El Cremita taco The Taquero Mucho In Montebello, his favorite is the taco stand. “Growing up in Southern California, there was never a shortage of taco stands, so I visited many taco places throughout East Los Angeles during my youth. As a kid, my fondest memories were visiting any of these taco stands after church with my parents and ordering tacos de asada and al pastor with a Mexican Coke.”
See information above.
On the edge of Silver Lake, 5 casseroles is Elliott Cooper’s go-to spot. He says, “I love the blue corn tortillas they use at this truck. The ingredients are all high quality and the balance of flavor is better than almost anything else I’ve had in Los Angeles.”
Riverside Drive and Gilroy Street, Los Angeles, (213) 290-5854, Instagram.com/5cazuelas
Born and raised in Los Angeles, Rudy Suazo says he's been eating tacos for as long as he can remember. Maple Block BBQ's beef brisket taco is his favorite, saying, “Everything from the yellow corn tortilla, pickled onions, and smoked beef brisket is well crafted and executed.”
3973 Sepulveda Blvd., Culver City, (310) 313-6328, mapleblockmeat.com
Cheek tacos from El Canelo Steamed Tacos.
(Andrea D'Agosto / For The Times)
Kimberley Rizzo lives in North Hollywood, but tells us she missed South Bay tacos. “Months ago, I met up with some friends in San Pedro and got the black asada tacos from the Yucatecan Bomba Delight truck. I’ve been craving them ever since. The truck doesn’t come to the Valley, obviously, so I have to go back to their area to get more. Also, my vegetarian friend ordered the portobello tacos and loved them.”
Many places, Instagram.com/bombadelicacy
Matthew McLean of Woodland Hills says: “The big donkey It's a multi-generational institution in the West Valley and their al pastor is the best I've ever had. They make the best simple street tacos, period.
7801 Canoga Ave., Canoga Park, (818) 592-6719, instagram.com/el_big_burrito_taqueria
In Thank my Lord At Pacific Palisades, Kerith Spencer-Shapiro says, “The tacos are really top-notch, fresh, with ingredients prepared to perfection and perfectly seasoned. The owner, Rodolfo, is also a draw – one of the nicest people you will ever meet.”
15120 Sunset Blvd., Pacific Palisades, (323) 386-3424, thankyousenor.com
If you're looking for something decadent, Playa del Rey's Greg Rossi says: “Niko's red heels “It has a marrow birria taco that is very over the top but perfect. A huge, whole bone sits on top of the taco and once you take the marrow off the bone and top it with it, along with the onion, cilantro, and pickled red onion, it all melts in your mouth. Add a little hot sauce if you like, but it’s not necessary with the juiciness of the meat and the consommé.”
8829 S. Sepulveda Blvd., Los Angeles, (213) 522-6025, Instagram.com/nikosredtacos
In East Los Angeles, Toby Horn loves crunchy tacos from The Tepayac“Tacos arrive on the plate with lettuce, chopped tomatoes and a blizzard of shredded cheese. They are crunchy, warm, loud and a little creamy all at once.”
812 N. Evergreen Ave., Los Angeles, (323) 268-1960, instagram.com/officialtepeyaccafe
Ralph Olivas of Claremont calls birria tacos in Poor Tacos LA “among the best in Los Angeles” He praises the weekend-only spot, saying, “Chef Janet’s use of mozzarella gives these Nayarit-style tacos a distinctive and delicious flavor.”
5985 W. Pico Blvd. Los Angeles, Instagram.com/pobrestacosla
Peter Jacob has been a regular on Bullfighting Corner in Panorama City for 30 years. He recommends everything, “from al pastor to carnitas, large burritos, sauces and juices, and so on.”
8708 Van Nuys Blvd., Panorama City, (818) 892-7444
Hollywood resident Parker Green recommends Tacos El Chido near Santa Monica Boulevard and Highland Avenue for “delicious mulitas and deliciously cheesy and creamy tacos al pastor with freshly grilled meats.”
6840 Santa Monica Blvd., Los Angeles, instagram.com/tacoselchido
