Downtown working folk and resident urbanites can rejoice. On Feb. 11, a mobile food court is slotted to open in the neighborhood. The lot will boast three to four trucks daily and "ample parking," according to organizers.
"The lot will be on Alameda and Traction," said Matt Geller, Vice President of SoCal Mobile Food Vendors Association.
Geller was also the brains behind the Santa Monica mobile food truck lot, which was shut down within a day due to zoning issues. He's still working with the Santa Monica local government to get the Westside lot's business rolling again.
On a cold January night, the taco fiends were deep in the valley, very close to the last known location of their favorite truck "La Casa Grande". Even though they knew the truck wouldn't be twinkling in the auto repair parking lot the two always feel compelled to stop, hoping one day it will be back. They approach the parking lot and sure enough it's deserted...the two have grown accustomed to this disappointment so it doesn't affect them nearly as much as in the past, but it still stings. Fortunately for the hungry travelers, Lankershim is a hot bed for tacos and there are plenty of options, hopefully they can find one that satisfies their ever-discerning tastes.
"Taqueria La Chespita" (6331 Lankershim Blvd, NoHo) stands out to us this evening, as it appears to have all the signs of a good taco joint; twinkling lights, a covered seating area and a friendly taquero, who is grilling up some tasty looking meats. This is a taco stand by day that moves its griddle out front during the evening hours. First strike against Chespita is the sight of an empty spit, which should have been home to a delectable slab of Pastor. The extremely personable taco man assured us that they had ran out of the first batch and more was soon to follow. It was a bit on the late side, so we'll let that slide for now.
We had our typical order: uno pastor, una asada, y uno chorizo. They had the usual accoutrements: grilled onions, grilled peppers, raw onions, cilantro, roja and verde salsa, limes and radishes - all self-service. The tacos looked a bit greasy and the meats were not diced quite as small as we usually like. First bite of the asada proves this, the tacos are indeed greasy, the meat is fairly tender but lacks any real flavor and depth; this asada would not stand out from a pack. We elected to use the roja salsa on all of the tacos and it's sad to report the salsa is one-dimensional as well. It's got good heat and that's about it, not much flavor, just spiciness. Next up is the chorizo taco, from the beginning we notice the meat is not the color we like, it's on the gray side and what it lacks in color it also lacks in flavor. Like the salsa roja this chorizo is also uninspired, we expect chorizo to provide a flavor explosion, and this tasted more like ground beef seasoned with hamburger helper. The last taco we sample is the jimmy-rigged al pastor (not from the spit). The color is close to what we look for but it's severely lacking the caramelization and charring that comes with the open roast. The pieces are on the big side and not as tender as we expect. This isn't the worst incarnation of al pastor we've experienced but far from the best. On a positive note "Taqueria La Chespita" doesn't skimp on the meat or the sides if you want them. However, the greasiness of the meat causes the tortillas to fall apart making the whole experience a rather messy one. Overall a very mediocre meal, we have eaten at this establishment before but it had been sometime since our last visit, and sadly the previous trip was much better. This experience left a unsatisfied taco craving in our stomachs and we won't be coming back anytime soon, especially with so many potentially delicious trucks lurking all over the southland!
It was a dark and stormy night when the taco fever hit quick and hard. We needed tacos as quickly as possible to calm the beast within. Tonight wasn't a night to go get just any taco, we needed something that would satisfy, so we decided the destination would be Tacos Texcoco in North Hollywood (Vanowen and Laurel Canyon). The valley is never our first thought for delicious tacos, but don't be fooled, this NoHo standout delivers the goods. The storm was brewing, but after a few generous margaritas, we mustered the courage and headed off into the darkness.
Tacos Texcoco conjures up some delicious tacos. We've eaten here multiple times and it rarely disappoints. Tonight the order is tres tacos: uno pastor, uno carne y uno chorizo. Upon receiving the tasty treats, a smile crosses our faces as taco hour has finally arrived. First inspection shows three two-bite tacos with a deep roja salsa. They may not be the best looking tacos, but don't judge a book by its cover. The smell is enticing, little bits of tender meat intermixed with chopped onion and cilantro. The Chorizo taco is first up, the meat has a nice sweetness, which compliments the spiciness of the salsa roja, which lingers delightfully on the tongue; a squeeze of lime goes a long way with this taco. Up next is the Carne Asada, a slightly salty flavor hits your taste buds upon impact, the meat is tender and flavorful, although not as charred as we usually like; we love that added crunch. The last taco would be the Al Pastor; we always save our favorite for last. The Pastor can be tricky to master, especially if it's not spit roasted which is always our preference. However, Texcoco seems to get the Pastor pretty close to right even with the absence of a spit. A sweet tender flavor hits your tongue immediately, while the salsa adds a nice sizzle, you do miss the smoky taste the spit gives the meat but nevertheless a solid example of al pastor.
The tacos aren't huge, but the proportion allows you to savor the flavor of the corn tortillas, and at a buck apiece you really can't complain. The roja salsa is the standout here, it has a deep red color and a smoky flavor, the spice isn't too strong at first, but it lingers on the tongue, providing an excellent experience that will leave your taste buds wanting more. All in all a satisfying taco experience, we will definitely be back. If you're ever in NoHo and craving a taco, stop by Texcoco, it's tasty and cheap.
The quesillo taco at Pili's was on. Stuffed with Oaxaca cheese, a spicy salsa roja, onions and cilantro there was a flavor here that most tacos only dream of. It may have been a one off, it may never come together again like this but on this one afternoon this was the best taco in town.
Pili's Tacos
11924 Santa Monica Blvd
Los Angeles, CA 90025
$1.50
We are a new taco blogging team and are going to be posting reviews under the name crazy4tacos. We are a duo of taco aficionados, who fell in love with a taco truck called "La Casa Grande". After a summer of their delicious tacos the truck disappeared never to be spotted again. From that day forth we have been on a mission to find that wonderful truck, so far we have not had any luck but we have found many other worthy trucks and stands on our adventures. Nothing thrills us more than a successful taco mission, however they don't always turn out as planned. Sometimes the tacos are dry and uninspired while other times they are greasy and unappealing. Our goal is to help you taco loving people in the City of Angels, always insuring you have a successful taco mission, happy eating.
Well it's 2010 and I'm ready to get rolling again. The end of the year was kind of hectic with the holidays and the parties and drinking. About this time every year I tell myself I'm not going to get drunk anymore, that I'm going to start running every morning. All that shit. It lasts about a few weeks then the running shoes go back into the closet and I'm back in the pub. But hey this year is different. Yeah yeah. Anyways before Christmas I headed down to Cesar Chavez Blvd. I was looking for the Breed St folks but It may have been an off night. I did however find a taco table with an Al Pastor spit which is always hard to resist.
The table was set up in front of Christine's Super Taco Mexican and Italian food. A lot of Taqueria's do this nowadays. It's hard to get people in the doors but once they see the smoke and meats cooking up on the grill outside they get interested.
The al pastor was cut from the spit then finished on the grill where it was mixed with onions then scooped up on to corn tortillas. Tubs of salsas were set on a separate table along with other condiments - onions, cilantro, cucumbers and radishes. For three tacos it was $3 dollars a deal that never ceases to amaze when considering the high quality and the amount of condiments available. The tacos were excellent , a bit of sweetness with the charred pork combined with salsas that were both spicy and complex. The heat from the salsas showed themselves in different ways. While the red salsa was certainly spicy it peaked right away and gently faded. But the orange salsa with it's habanero peppers never let up with the heat and I had to sweat it out a little.
The extra touch was the slices of pineapple that were cut from the spit and grilled along with the pork. I folded one of the strips of pineapple into one of the tacos and the flavors were magic.
2010 will find me back on the road searching for the good the bad and the ugly. I still have to try the legendary bean burritos at Lupe's and J&S . Yeah this a taco blog but this bean and cheese burrito side project is a little obsession of mine. Now where did I put those running shoes?
4/5
Christine's Taco Table
3818 E Cesar Chavez Blvd
tacos $1
The 2010 version of Eat:Los Angeles is out (They tell me I contributed and I believe them.) . This book is a great stocking stuffer or Christmas gift . Bigger and better the 2010 edition is expanded to 1,100 listings. No corporate chains in here just the best of LA from gourmet to taco stands.
I have one copy to give away at the moment.My laast book giveaway was random but with this one there is a trivia question.
On my previous blog The Great Taco Hunt what type of animal became so interested in my plate of tacos that it required me to take extreme measures.
First person to post the correct answer in the comments wins the book.
Good luck
Update: Well that didn't take long. We have a winner! Mike13241 correctly answered birds.It was the pesky birds of Tacos El Unico.
More contests to come! Pay attention mi compañeros!
Last Tuesday night on Eagle Rock Blvd it was Kogi and Leo's taco truck pulling in the crowds. Kogi the phenom and Leo the old dog, the favorite taco truck of Oxy students who simply refer to it as "taco truck". And south of these wagons parked a lonely taco truck with not even a soul in sight, Tacos El Sabrosito. This was my truck. This is where I was going to eat. On this night I was more curious than I was hungry.
But the locals are set in their ways. If they want the more classic LA tacos of meat, chile salsa, onions and cilantro they will go to Rambo's. If it's the more savory, sloppy, guacamole on your fingers taco then it's Leo's or Sonia's.
My truck is shiny and clean with no artwork just a small sign "Tacos El Sabrosito" Two squirt bottles of salsa sit next to the ordering window, a small color tv blares a Mexican gameshow, an eager taquero takes my order. I order Al pastor, asada, and lengua . The taquero repeats the order to the older hombre on the grill who looks me over. Yeah I'm a taco reporter from the Westside.
The asada is a classic LA taco- finely cut beef thats greasy and flavorful topped with onions, cilantro and the excellent salsa roja. The lengua is soft and not at all gamey and with the shot of lime and salsa roja it's excellent . It's the al pastor that disappoints , the pork is ground and crumbly and flavorless. But two out three is good enough. Most importantly these tacos were greasy and hot and the salsa roja flavorful and spicy. The cucumbers and radishes are a nice compliment and at $1 a taco it's hard not to like what El Sabrosito is doing here.
At any other location El Sabrosito would do ok but here on Eagle Rock Blvd the locals have spoken. It's Leo's, Sonia's and Rambo's. And on nights when Kogi comes to town the trucks looking on the outside are in for a lonely night.
Highland Park is arguably the best destination in LA for taco trucks during the daytime(and probably at night as well). The Mar Azul Mariscos truck at Sycamore Park serves up incredible shrimp cocktails and seafood tostadas and further northeast on York Blvd El Pique and La Estrella match wits serving up tasty two biters that make you reach for the nearest cold beverage. If your playing hooky from work and want to go on a taco crawl, head to Highland Park.
Yes you could just go to York Blvd and stick to El Pique and La Estrella but where is the fun in that? Your playing hooky from work and your wife is probably going over to her girlfriends house to watch "So you think you can dance like the stars" tonight. You don't have to worry about dinner so you might as well try all the trucks on the way. If that's your game plan then you're going to want to start with the first truck you see on Figueroa and if it's daylight it's the El Paisa truck parked in front of the Food 4 Less.
The tacos at El Paisa don't quite have the spice to them you will find at El Pique or La Estrella. The salsa verde on my carne asada taco was too mild and if you've been reading my blog you know that I need that heat somewhere on my plate whether it's from the salsa or a nicely grilled pepper. Even thought the salsa verde was too mild the taco really worked. The carne asada was tender and greasy and the tomatillo salsa had lots of flavor . I would definitely order this taco again(but would ask for a jalapeño on the side).
(carne asada with tomatillo salsa)
The al pastor was more like pork adobada with it's achiote marinade and cubed texture. Topped with a light chile salsa there was a little more heat to this taco compared to the asada.
At night this location is home to two other taco trucks, Tacos El Sabroso and Taki Taco Truck. There's also a tamalero known for his "tamales tamales tamales!" chant and his sidekick the etole vendor . But when it's daylight it's just the taco vendors.
3.5/5
El Paisa
5100 N Figueroa Street
Los Angeles, CA 90042
tacos $1
A reader informs me that the truck many refer to as Tacos Arabe has been serving the students at Sci-Arc(Southern California Institute of Architecture)parking lot on Monday, Wednesday and Friday.
From the confines of my Mar Vista flat I got the urge for a bean and cheese burrito. And since my trip to Al and Bea's I haven't found anything on the Westside that can put down that craving. When I want a good bean and cheese I have to go east.
On the 10 heading east my stomach was set on Al and Bea's but I knew it was time to try the famed Lupe's #14, a legendary burrito stuffed with refried beans, strips of roasted green chile, and cheese.
I got to Lupe's and ordered the #14. The burrito was no monster but hefty enough in size with a good wrap. I looked over the burrito nestled in it's wrapper for a moment like a surfer who hesitates to admire the perfect wave, then I dug in.
The first bite was curious ; a strip of green chile, flavorful refried beans and a gob of half melted yellow cheese. I thought to myself if the whole burrito is like this I will dance in the parking lot. The flavors all came together like the beginning of a symphony and by the third bite I reflexively let out a "woo" to the surprise of the people at the next table. Or maybe they weren't surprised, maybe they had been there before too. And yeah the whole burrito was just like the first bite, pockets of cheese against warm delicious beans, strips of fire roasted green chile puckering my taste buds. I didn't dance in the parking lot but I did go back to my car with my faith in our cities burrito makers restored.
There is Al and Bea's and there is Lupe's. Who has the better bean and cheese burrito? Are there other contenders? I think I will need to do more research(Eat more burritos).
8653 Beverly Blvd
Pico Rivera, CA 90660
(562) 463-0345
