Quick Answer
Los Angeles has the most diverse and highest-quality taco scene in the United States — period. From $2 al pastor off a truck at midnight to $8 foie gras tacos in the Arts District, every regional Mexican style is represented at an elite level. Leo's Tacos Truck is the most-recommended spot overall, but the real move is a taco crawl hitting multiple neighborhoods.
- Best al pastor
- Leo's Tacos Truck (Mid-City)
- Best carne asada
- Tire Shop Taqueria (South Central) or Tacos Los Cholos (Huntington Park)
- Best seafood taco
- Mariscos Jalisco (Boyle Heights)
- Best birria
- Teddy's Red Tacos (South LA)
Price Guide
- Street tacos
- $2–$3 each (Leo's, Ave 26, Tire Shop)
- Sit-down spots
- $4–$6 each (Sonoratown, Los Cholos)
- Chef-driven
- $5–$8 each (Guerrilla Tacos)
- Filling meal
- $8–$15 for 3–4 tacos + drink
Why LA Has the Best Tacos in America
Los Angeles' taco scene offers a wide range of options, from $2 street tacos to $8 modern Mexican creations, but Leo's Tacos Truck, known for its al pastor, stands out as a top recommendation. This guide explores the best tacos in LA, considering both price and quality.
Los Angeles boasts a vibrant taco scene, with prices ranging from $2 to $8 per taco, and Leo's Tacos Truck, known for its al pastor, stands out as a top recommendation. This guide explores the best tacos LA has to offer, from classic street tacos to innovative modern creations.
No American city comes close to Los Angeles when it comes to tacos. The city's massive Mexican and Central American diaspora has imported — and evolved — every regional taco tradition from across Mexico. You'll find Tijuana-style carne asada grilled over mesquite charcoal, Michoacán-style carnitas fried in copper cauldrons of lard, Jalisco-style fried shrimp tacos, Sonoran flour tortilla tacos, Sinaloan seafood, birria in every variation, and chef-driven modern interpretations that push the form forward.
This guide focuses on the spots that appear again and again — across Reddit threads, Eater's essential lists, The Infatuation's rankings, LA Mag's top 25, and thousands of Google reviews. Every venue on this list has been validated across multiple sources. We prioritized places where LA locals actually eat, not tourist traps.
Pro tip: The best LA taco experience is a crawl. Start at Carnitas Los Gabrieles for morning carnitas, hit Sonoratown or Mariscos Jalisco for lunch, then Leo's Tacos Truck or Ave 26 after dark. That's three different neighborhoods, three different styles, and the full spectrum of what makes LA the taco capital of America.
1Leo's Tacos Truck
Al PastorQuick comparison
- Best for
- Al pastor from a vertical spit, open until 2 AM
- Strengths
- 4.5★ from 5,843 reviews · Iconic al pastor trompo · Late-night hours
- Limitations
- Long lines weekends · Cash preferred · It's a truck
- Why it made the list
- Appears in virtually every 'best tacos in LA' Reddit thread. The al pastor is caramelized on a trompo with pineapple, served on doubled corn tortillas.
- What to order
- Al pastor tacos — get at least 4. The pineapple from the trompo is essential. Add green salsa. Mulitas are also excellent.
🕐 Mon–Sun: 10 AM – 2 AM
2Tacos Los Cholos
Mesquite-Grilled AsadaQuick comparison
- Best for
- Mesquite-grilled carne asada that rivals America's best BBQ
- Strengths
- 4.5★ · Rated 9.0 by The Infatuation · Intense mesquite flavor
- Limitations
- Huntington Park is a drive from Westside · Slightly pricier
- Why it made the list
- Ranked #1 by The Infatuation and praised across Eater LA. The mesquite charcoal technique sets it apart from every other asada spot.
- What to order
- Carne asada and lime-marinated ribeye tacos. The beef rib crackles with smoky flavor. Don't skip the salsas.
🕐 Mon–Sun: 11 AM – 11 PM
3Tire Shop Taqueria
Carne AsadaQuick comparison
- Best for
- Mesquite carne asada on handmade tortillas
- Strengths
- 4.6★ · Handmade tortillas · Legendary guacamole · Mesquite grill
- Limitations
- Evening only (5 PM) · Closed Tue · Cash only
- Why it made the list
- Featured in LA Mag, Eater, and every serious LA taco list. The handmade tortillas and creamy guacamole are best-in-class.
- What to order
- Carne asada tacos with guacamole — they're generous with it. The handmade tortillas make all the difference.
🕐 Mon, Wed–Sun: 5–11 PM (Closed Tue)
4Mariscos Jalisco
Fried Shrimp TacosQuick comparison
- Best for
- Iconic crispy fried shrimp tacos dorados
- Strengths
- 4.6★ from 1,888 reviews · James Beard-recognized · Decades-old legacy
- Limitations
- Closes at 5:30 PM · Cash preferred
- Why it made the list
- Featured in LA Mag's top 25, Eater's essential 38, and countless Reddit threads. The tacos dorados are LA's defining seafood taco.
- What to order
- Tacos dorados de camarón (fried shrimp tacos). Drowning in mild pepper salsa. Also try the ceviche tostada.
🕐 Mon–Sun: 9 AM – 5:30 PM
5Sonoratown
Sonoran-Style TacosQuick comparison
- Best for
- Sonoran-style flour tortilla tacos in Downtown LA
- Strengths
- 4.5★ from 3,264 reviews · Hand-stretched flour tortillas · Accessible DTLA
- Limitations
- Long lunch lines · Small indoor seating
- Why it made the list
- One of the most-mentioned spots on LA Reddit. The hand-stretched Sonoran flour tortillas are thin, buttery, and nothing like store-bought.
- What to order
- Chivichanga (fried burrito) or carne asada on flour tortilla. The flour tortillas are the star. Add frijoles.
🕐 Mon–Sun: 11 AM – 10 PM
6Carnitas Los Gabrieles
Michoacán CarnitasQuick comparison
- Best for
- Michoacán-style carnitas fried in lard on a DTLA sidewalk
- Strengths
- 4.4★ · Rated 8.8 by The Infatuation · Pure sidewalk authenticity
- Limitations
- Closes at 4 PM · Outdoor sidewalk · Can sell out early
- Why it made the list
- The Infatuation gave it 8.8. One cauldron, a few tarps, some tables. Pure authenticity.
- What to order
- Carnitas tacos — say 'surtido' for a mix of cuts. Add lime and salsa verde.
🕐 Mon–Sun: 8:30 AM – 4 PM
7Teddy's Red Tacos
BirriaQuick comparison
- Best for
- The OG birria tacos that started LA's red taco movement
- Strengths
- 4.4★ from 1,594 reviews · Iconic red birria · Instagram-famous with substance
- Limitations
- Can be crowded · Slightly pricier · Multiple locations now
- Why it made the list
- Credited with launching the birria taco craze. Eater LA called it out early and Reddit names it the birria benchmark.
- What to order
- Birria tacos dipped in consomé and griddled crispy. Side of consomé for dunking. Quesabirria also outstanding.
🕐 Mon–Sun: 9 AM – 10 PM
8Guerrilla Tacos
Modern MexicanQuick comparison
- Best for
- Chef-driven creative tacos with foie gras, uni, and seasonal ingredients
- Strengths
- 4.5★ from 1,281 reviews · Rotating creative menu · Cookbook author chef
- Limitations
- Pricier ($5–$8 each) · Closed Mon & Sun
- Why it made the list
- Chef Wes Avila went from truck to brick-and-mortar to cookbook. LA's answer to 'what if tacos were fine dining?'
- What to order
- Whatever the daily special is. The sweet potato taco with almond chile and feta is legendary. If foie gras or uni is on the menu, order immediately.
🕐 Tue–Sat: 11 AM – 9 PM
9Los Cinco Puntos
Chicharrón & CarnitasQuick comparison
- Best for
- Crispy chicharrón on thick griddled tortillas at a Boyle Heights institution
- Strengths
- 4.6★ from 3,139 reviews · Decades-old institution · Legendary salsa bar
- Limitations
- Closed Wednesdays · Closes at 6 PM
- Why it made the list
- The Infatuation rated it 8.8. The salsa bar alone is an attraction — pickled nopales, guacamole the color of Shrek.
- What to order
- Chicharrón tacos. Carnitas also excellent. Hit the salsa bar hard: pickled nopales and guacamole are essential.
🕐 Mon–Tue, Thu–Sun: 8 AM – 6 PM
10Ave 26 Tacos (Tacos La 26!)
Street Tacos / Night MarketQuick comparison
- Best for
- Late-night street tacos and the definitive LA taco stand experience
- Strengths
- 4.5★ from 1,842 reviews · Open 24 hours · Cheapest on the list
- Limitations
- Street stand (no seating) · Cash only · Area can be sketchy late
- Why it made the list
- Yelp's top 3 taco spot in LA. The experience is as important as the food — a night market with tacos, fruit, elote, and midnight LA energy.
- What to order
- Al pastor and suadero tacos — keep it simple. Top with salsa verde. Grab an elote and mango con chile from a nearby cart.
🕐 Open 24 hours
11Burritos La Palma
Zacatecan BurritosQuick comparison
- Best for
- Zacatecan-style petite burritos with beef birria in hand-pressed flour tortillas
- Strengths
- 4.5★ from 944 reviews · Hand-pressed flour tortillas · Eater's essential 38
- Limitations
- El Monte (30+ min from DTLA) · Closes at 6 PM
- Why it made the list
- Featured in Eater's essential 38. The Bañuelos family has been making these since 1980. The beef birria burrito drips with juices that stain the flour tortilla reddish-brown.
- What to order
- Beef birria burrito — the signature. Also try the chile verde burrito.
🕐 Mon–Sun: 11 AM – 6 PM
12Tacos La Carreta
Mazatlán-Style ChorreadasQuick comparison
- Best for
- Mazatlán-style chorreadas with lard-spread tortillas and mesquite steak
- Strengths
- Featured in LA Mag's top 25 · Unique Mazatlán style
- Limitations
- Compton location · Limited reviews · Hours vary
- Why it made the list
- LA Mag included it in their top 25. Thick tortilla covered in hot lard and melted cheese, then steak, veggies, and salsas piled high.
- What to order
- Chorreadas — thick tortilla spread with hot lard and melted cheese, then loaded with mesquite-grilled carne asada.
🕐 Check social media for hours
FAQ
What are the best tacos in Los Angeles?
The most consistently recommended spots across Reddit and food media are Leo's Tacos Truck (al pastor), Tire Shop Taqueria (carne asada), Mariscos Jalisco (fried shrimp tacos), Sonoratown (Sonoran flour tortilla tacos), and Tacos Los Cholos (mesquite-grilled meats). Each specializes in a different style.
Where can I get the best al pastor tacos in LA?
Leo's Tacos Truck on La Brea Ave is the undisputed king of al pastor with 5,800+ Google reviews and a 4.5-star rating. Open until 2 AM — the late-night trompo experience is iconic.
How much do street tacos cost in Los Angeles?
Street tacos cost $2–$4 each. A filling meal of 3–4 tacos runs $8–$15. Trucks and stands (Leo's, Tire Shop, Ave 26) are cheapest at $2–$3 per taco. Sit-down spots like Guerrilla Tacos are $5–$8.
What style of tacos is LA known for?
LA is famous for its regional Mexican taco diversity — Tijuana-style carne asada, Michoacán carnitas, Jalisco birria, Sinaloan seafood, Sonoran flour tortilla tacos, Mexico City-style tacos de canasta, and creative modern interpretations. No other American city has this breadth.
Are LA taco trucks safe to eat at?
Yes — LA's taco trucks are regulated by the county health department and regularly inspected. The busiest trucks serve hundreds daily with high turnover, meaning ingredients are always fresh.
What is the best taco neighborhood in Los Angeles?
Boyle Heights and East LA are the epicenter, home to Mariscos Jalisco, Los Cinco Puntos, and dozens of legendary vendors. South LA (Tire Shop, Teddy's Red Tacos) and Downtown/Arts District (Sonoratown, Guerrilla Tacos, Ave 26) are also essential.
When is the best time to eat tacos in LA?
LA has tacos around the clock. Carnitas spots are best mornings (they sell out by afternoon). Lunch hits at Sonoratown and Guerrilla Tacos. Evening and late-night belong to Leo's, Tire Shop, and Ave 26. The iconic LA taco experience is eating at a truck at midnight.
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