LA’s Best Tacos

Ariana Valencia
6 min readMar 17, 2021

We can’t talk about the Los Angeles food scene without mentioning perhaps the most popular street food on the West Coast: tacos! Celebrate National Taco Day (October 4) by checking out our top picks for the best places to get a damn good taco right here in LA.

PHOTO: STEPHANIE A.

TACOS DELTA

3806 Sunset Blvd, Los Angeles, CA 90026

The only thing you’ll enjoy more than the festive backyard patio at Tacos Delta is the food that comes with it. The family-owned shop is often praised by visitors as is their fast and friendly service. The fish and shrimp tacos are some of the highest reviewed tacos around! You can safely enjoy your meal to-go or on their outdoor patio.

TIRE SHOP TAQUERIA

4077 S Avalon Blvd, Los Angeles, CA 90011

Some of the best street tacos in Los Angeles, Tire Shop Taqueria has some of the most authentic, freshly made offerings in the city. Regulars swear by this stop and for good reason, the trick is getting there in time to beat the line! They are currently open for takeout.

CHUY’S TACOS DORADOS

1335 Willow St, Los Angeles, CA 90013

Chuy’s Tacos Dorados (FKA Medtillas Tacos) offers a simple, yet solid menu with hemp-infused tortillas. Their prices won’t break the bank and will keep you coming back for seconds.

GUISADOS

2100 East Cesar E Chavez Ave, Los Angeles, CA 90033

Born in Boyle Heights in December 2010, Guisados was created with a simple menu all aimed at recreating a feeling of comfort and nostalgia for traditional Mexican tacos and braises all wrapped in handmaid tortillas. They’ve since expanded to their flagship locations in Echo Park and West Hollywood and most recently, Burbank.

Find more Guisados locations here.

LA REYNA TACOS #2

E 7th St, Los Angeles, CA 90021

Recently moved, La Reyna Tacos is a great go-to spot for your taco fix. If you want our recommendation, go with Al Pastor. Good for late-night cravings and $1 offerings you can eat like a king (or queen) here.

GRACIAS MADRE

8905 Melrose Ave, West Hollywood, CA 90069

Gracias Madre is a taco-filled haven for vegans and carnivores alike. Between their ever-expanding specials, CBD cocktails and heavenly decor, this place is sure to fill your stomach’s, hearts, and social media feed. Pictured above: The Albongiga Taco, a spicy meatball taco with crispy onion, cashew crema topped with cilantro and chipotle ranchero sauce. Gracias Madre offers curbside pickup, delivery and outdoor dining options. You can also order cocktails to-go here.

PHOTO: CLAIRE S.

STREET TACOS AND GRILL

1843 1/2 E 1st St, Los Angeles, CA 90033

Street Tacos and Grill’s affordable offerings start at prices that afford you the opportunity to sample the menu without breaking the bank. Try the Chicharron, or Barbacoa or expand your culinary search to their highly reviewed sopes and tortas. We recommend you call this place early and order your meal for pickup.

SANTA RITA JALISCO TACO TRUCK

3900 E 1st St, Los Angeles, CA 90063

Great tacos for a great price. Santa Rita Jalisco Taco Truck is renowned for the quality and taste of their meat as well as the efficiency and quick service. This no-frills truck has drummed up a loyal customer base that keeps spreading the good word of delicious tacos.

CHICAS TACOS

800 South La Brea Ave, Los Angeles, CA 90036

One of our favorite DTLA taco spots is Chicas unfortunately made the move to La Brea this year. Luckily we can still enjoy this Angelenos’ favorite tortilla-wrapped gifts of deliciousness. Def grab a cup of their agua fresca, too.

TACOS POR FAVOR

11901 W Olympic Blvd, Los Angeles, CA 90064

Get a bang for your buck on the west side at Tacos Por Favor! If you’re feeling the afternoon munchies, they’ll deliver tortilla-wrapped goodness right to you. Now with three locations, you have triple the opportunities to indulge here. Plus this spot has all-day breakfast, lunch, and dinner delivery options.

Find more Tacos Por Favor locations here.

PETTY CASH TAQUERIA

7360 Beverly Blvd, Los Angeles, CA 90036

This taqueria offers a wide array of options from crispy pork and beans to the more ambitious selections like Charcoal Grilled Octopus with peanuts, avocado, cheese, and chile. You can enjoy your meal on their spacious outdoor patio.

BAR AMÀ

118 W 4th St, Los Angeles, CA 90013

For your next dish on Tex-Mex, visit Bar Amà. Inspired by the women who raised him, Josef Centeno’s bar offers some of the city’s best puffy stuffed tacos. Their cocktail menu is the perfect complement to the elevated atmosphere sure to have you coming back for seconds. Bar Amá is back open for takeout and dine-in.

BEST FISH TACO IN ENSENADA

1650 Hillhurst Ave, Los Angeles, CA 90027

Known for their comedy nights, atmosphere and, of course, their food, Best Fish Taco in Ensenada (really in Los Feliz) is the closest you’ll get to Baja without leaving LA.

LEO’S TACOS TRUCKS

See all Leo’s locations here.

Between their six locations, Leo’s Tacos Truck has served up their famous Al Pastor Tacos all over Los Angeles. With deals starting at just $1, you really can’t go wrong.

PLANCHA TACOS

8250 W 3rd Street Ste 108, Los Angeles, CA 90048

Whether you’re in Beverly Hills or Venice Beach, Planchas has your taco fix. The shop is open late and offers street and signature tacos for sit down service. Seafood lovers will particularly enjoy their pescatarian friendly menu.

Find Plancha’s Venice location here.

MADRE

See all Madre’s locations here.

Madre features an incredible menu inspired by owner Ivan Vasquez’s mother’s recipes, bringing true Oaxacan cuisine to the city. You can order your meal for curbside pickup and delivery at all three locations.

SALAZAR

2490 Fletcher Dr, Los Angeles, CA 90039

Frogtown’s Salazar is back and open for dine-in service. Guests can now sit back, relax, and enjoy margaritas and tacos at the outdoor oasis. This spot brings true Sonoran-style BBQ to LA with a menu featuring a variety of tacos served on house-made flour or corn tortillas.

FEDERAL BAR

5303 Lankershim Blvd, North Hollywood, CA 91601

The Federal Bar’s vast selection of micro beers, bourbons, scotches and tequila make for a perfect pairing with their tacos. Come for a night of entertainment and bites with friends to either of Federal’s locations and you’ll find yourself wanting to come back more and more.

Find the Federal’s Long Beach location here.

PINK TACO

8225 Sunset Blvd, Los Angeles, CA 90046

This trendy LA taco joint wants to change the world one taco at a time with its signature “Pink Taco”. In order to serve tacos to as many people as possible, Pink Taco has recently expanded and joined the food truck game. If that isn’t enough to get your mouth watering, stop by the West Hollywood location for their happy hour and choose from over 20 different margaritas and cocktails

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Ariana Valencia

Writer. Lifestyle. Travel. Op-Eds. And everything in between.