Between the gorgeous waters off the coast and its proximity to Mexico, you probably expect to find delicious tacos in Los Angeles. While you can grab authentic tacos just about everywhere, you'll find some unique twists that can only be found in LA. This guide will show you where to go to find the best tacos in Los Angeles.
It's no surprise that locals flock to this taco joint in Boyle Heights every day. Located in a small truck right on the water, it's the perfect place to grab a few tacos and enjoy the views. This isn't the type of food truck that features dozens of dishes though, because it serves just one thing daily, which are tacos filled with shrimp and then deep-fried, and then topped off with guacamole and salsa to create a taste sensation that explodes in your mouth.
Ray Garcia is a chef that you've probably seen on The Food Network. He headed to a restaurant row on 7th Street in 2015 to open a new taco shop that quickly became a popular choice for locals. Not only will you find tacos on the menu, but you'll also find chicharrones fried until golden brown and topped with lemon pepper seasoning. After chowing down on chorizo tacos, you can end your meal with a slice of moist tres leches cake.
If you ask a local for the best tacos in Los Angeles, they might send you to El Ruso. Walter Soto opened this taco shop, which became known as the place to go for homemade tortillas. At the time, you could only find homemade tortillas from taco shops that operated at night. He later added new tortillas to the menu that are thin and fluffy, creating the perfect vessel for chorizo, carnitas, and other meats mixed with fresh veggies.
For authentic tacos with delicious flavor, head to Tacos Quetzalcoatl in Downtown LA. The only downside to this restaurant is that it's only open on the weekends, which means that you'll often find a line outside the door. Vegetarians love the Omega-2 that comes stuffed with traditional and unique veggies. To dine like a local, ask the chef to grill cheese onto your tortilla and then head over to the salsa bar to add your favorite toppings.
Many people head to Guerrilla Tacos Downtown on 7th Street, which is a food truck tucked away on restaurant row. Though the location of the truck changes from day to day, you can use social media to see where it will be on your trip. The owner of the truck is a frequent visitor to local farmers' markets, where he picks up new ingredients for his tacos that let him change his menu. One constant and popular dish is the taco stuffed with fresh sweet potatoes. If you love tacos and want to find the best tacos in Los Angeles, act like a local and head to any of these hot spots around town.