The LA Taco Scene

[hollywood]

http://www.laweekly.com/ink/printme.php?eid=48458

Anybody been?

[Music]

Haven't been yet, but I trust Jonathan Gold and I'm looking foward to it.

[jschyun]

I also trust the Golden touch. LA Weekly hasn't been the same for me since he left for Gourmet. Yeah, he does that Q&A, but not the same.

Does this mean he's back?

Edited November 8, 2003 by jschyun (log)

[ExtraMSG]

When I started reading it I was getting excited. I was hoping it was going to be more of a survey of the smaller little places and how to find them. I'm thinking of being down that way this Christmas and, as always, would love to seek out great taquerias.

Does anyone know of a good article or post surveying the LA taco scene? Are there areas in LA that have a good concentration of taquerias and taco stands and taco trucks, like Fruitvale in Oakland, Mission (to some extent) in SF, and Franklin in Sacramento, and are relatively safe at least during the day for a Russian Jew who speaks some Spanish?

[hollywood]

Does this mean he's back?

His wife, Laurie Ochoa, is the editor.

[hollywood]

Does anyone know of a good article or post surveying the LA taco scene?  Are there areas in LA that have a good concentration of taquerias and taco stands and taco trucks, like Fruitvale in Oakland, Mission (to some extent) in SF, and Franklin in Sacramento, and are relatively safe at least during the day for a Russian Jew who speaks some Spanish?

Can't say I'm aware of such a piece, tacos being so ubiquitous here. From El Tepeyac in East LA to the places on Olvera Street to the places at Grand Central Market downtown to Yuca's in Los Feliz to El Taurino in the Rampart District, etc., etc. And then there's fish tacos from spots like Senor Fish (downtown, Eagle Rock). Edit: I forgot Loteria Grill in the Farmer's Market at Fairfax & Beverly. My bad.

As for Las Ruinas, I found an excuse to go there Saturday. Fortunately I just beat the lunch crush. One of the downsides of the Golden touch is that it brings the crowds. The 2-3 people working the place were inundated (be patient). The alambre I had was not like a chile relleno unless you would consider a deconstructed relleno consisting of meat, onions, and chopped peppers with a handful of tortillas a relleno. A lot of grub for the dough. I also had an al pastor taco--delicious. When I go again, I'll just have assorted tacos.

The place reminds me of Yuca's without tamales and no beans--just taco variations, but real good tacos. Again, go an off hour or have patience.

Edited November 10, 2003 by hollywood (log)

[jschyun]

Over the years, Gold has done a number of pieces on L.A. taco places.

Here's one: Roundabout: Tacos Alfresco

Didn't J Gold do a piece, a while back, on L.A. taco trucks? I couldn't find it.