There are some tacos in this city that are worth going through whatever takes to get to. El Matador is one of them. Parked on the lot of a auto mechanic at the corner of Western and Lexington nightly El Matador is LA taco truck royalty.
But if you're anywhere south of Olympic or West of La Brea or east of Hoover getting to El Matador can be a pain in the ass. Even getting here from Hollywood can be bad craziness .But El Matador is the Mt Kilimanjaro of taco trucks. No one said it was going to be easy.
Once you get to the intersection of Western and Lexington you are presented with your next challenge . Where do I fucking park man? If you're lucky enough to find a spot on the lot next to the truck pull right up. But chances are some jack ass in a suburban has decided to take up half the lot while he wanders around the parking lot eating a burrito and screaming through his blue tooth.
There are two trucks that park on this lot, Mi Teresita and El Matador. It is odd to find two trucks that park so closely together but it's not unheard of. Taco trucks are usually territorial and do not live in harmony like the nouveau trucks do. El Matador is on the North side of the lot.
Another sign of a great taco truck and a confident taquero(or perhaps a nod to the old country) is how you pay for your tacos. If you get your tacos para aqui then you pay when you are done eating. You may want to try different meats and start with two tacos . Go for it and just settle your bill in the end.
The star of the tacos is the salsa. It is spicy yet so flavorful and when the spice fades your palate is left with the lingering flavor . The carne asada is charred, tender and perfectly salted and paired with the salsa roja . The al pastor charred and spiced and so good that makes me briefly forget about the traditional al pastor spits I have been to. The tortillas are not homemade yet they are the perfect vehicle to carry all this majesty to ones lips.
So make the trip to El Matador. If you live in Venice and you like tacos you must go to El Matador. You live in Santa Monica? El Sereno? Go to El Matador. Culver city? El Matador! Yes even if you're in Highland Park you must go to El Matador.
5/5
El Matador
1174 N Western (Western and Lexington)
East Hollywood
tacos $1.25
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