Tacos Of The Lion

photo from leostacos.com

The hardest working taquero in the taco business can be found every weeknight on Eagle Rock blvd in Eagle Rock. His name is Leo and he has his wife Sonia run Leo's taco truck.

Leo's is a local institution in Eagle Rock and a favorite among local Oxy students. So much so that the Oxy students made a movie about Leo's. Watch it here.

Leo's is down with the digital age also. He has a website and myspace page.

So now that we have all of the PR out of the way how are the tacos?

Pretty darn good. The al pastor is special. The saucy juicy pork swims in flavor .It's the kind of taco you can easily get addicted to which explains the long lines and why I call Leo the hardest working taquero in the business. The man never stops working and his grill stays open from 8pm to 4am every night but Monday. Monday is Leo's day off.

Tacos come with guacamole and salsa verde on the side. You can choose from asada, al pastor, pollo or veggie.



On this night I went with asada, pastor and veggie because I know at least one vegetarian reads this blog.The veggie taco is sloppy but oh so tasty , especially with the salsa verde.

The allure of Leo's aside from the food is the prices. In an age when your average burrito stand wants $5 for a burrito Leo gives us the $3 regular burrito (meat, beans,jack cheese, guacamole, pico de gallo) and the $2.50 veggie burrito. If you're a serious carnivore you can get the $4 all meat burrito.

In eagle rock when it comes to late night street tacos it's either Leo's or Rambo's. If it's after the bars close there will be at least a 30 min wait at Leo's while the longest I've waited at Rambo's would be 10 minutes. Go at off peak hours (9ish) and try both.



Leo's Tacos is at Eagle Rock Blvd and Ave 43
8pm to 4am
tacos $1
http://www.leostacos.com
a good book
Agar-agar pudding

Le Tacos De Tanya

I remember reading an article in one of the Los Angeles papers about a restaurateur that couldn't get people to come into his restaurant to try his food but every time he set up a taco stand in the parking lot the crowds would line up for his tasty tacos. The inside of his restaurant was usually empty and he was constantly trying to get his customers to come inside and try his other dishes to no avail.But sales tripled.


carniceria mural

So now everytime I see a taco truck parked in the lot of a carniceria or taqueria I think of that taquero and his unusual dilemma. I also think that the proprietor of the carniceria most likely understands a thing or two about human behavior. Although carnicerias commonly sell tacos behind the counter the allure of the taco wagon in the parking lot is too tempting. It becomes an impulse buy for motorists and passers buy, many of whom would not have bothered to go inside to order from the counter.



That's how I ended up at Tanya's taco truck. Driving east on Cesar Chavez my impulses got the best of me and I pulled over.

When I first walked up to the truck they were loading supplies from the market into the back of the truck. It was just after noon and I could smell the grilled meats emanating out of the trucks windows. The scent of charred pork and beef and chile hit my nostrils and set off all the happy sensors in my brain.


asada

My tacos(asada y al pastor) came garnished with onions and cilantro.The al pastor was cut from the spit, the asada char-grilled and lime flavored. Both meats finely chopped and topped with a salsa roja and avocado salsa. The cold creamy avocado salsa in one bite, the chile salsa in the next add all the flavor you can ask for. If you want some extra heat ask for a jalapeño(which I did) and you'll be dancing.


al pastor

If I had room I would have gone back for more but the heavy lunch earlier in the day put an end to any gastrological excess. These were beauties though and I will be back to try the other meat offerings. If you plan on going on a taco crawl along Cesar E Chavez on a Saturday afternoon don't forget to add Tanya's to your list.



Tanya's Tacos
4300 Cesar E Chavez Ave
Tacos $1

Tacos De Tanya

I remember reading an article in one of the Los Angeles papers about a restaurateur that couldn't get people to come into his restaurant to try his food but every time he set up a taco stand in the parking lot the crowds would line up for his tasty tacos. The inside of his restaurant was usually empty and he was constantly trying to get his customers to come inside and try his other dishes to no avail.But sales tripled.


carniceria mural

So now everytime I see a taco truck parked in the lot of a carniceria or taqueria I think of that taquero and his unusual dilemma. I also think that the proprietor of the carniceria most likely understands a thing or two about human behavior. Although carnicerias commonly sell tacos behind the counter the allure of the taco wagon in the parking lot is too tempting. It becomes an impulse buy for motorists and passers buy, many of whom would not have bothered to go inside to order from the counter.



That's how I ended up at Tanya's taco truck. Driving east on Cesar Chavez my impulses got the best of me and I pulled over.

When I first walked up to the truck they were loading supplies from the market into the back of the truck. It was just after noon and I could smell the grilled meats emanating out of the trucks windows. The scent of charred pork and beef and chile hit my nostrils and set off all the happy sensors in my brain.


asada

My tacos(asada y al pastor) came garnished with onions and cilantro.The al pastor was cut from the spit, the asada char-grilled and lime flavored. Both meats finely chopped and topped with a salsa roja and avocado salsa. The cold creamy avocado salsa in one bite, the chile salsa in the next add all the flavor you can ask for. If you want some extra heat ask for a jalapeño(which I did) and you'll be dancing.


al pastor

If I had room I would have gone back for more but the heavy lunch earlier in the day put an end to any gastrological excess. These were beauties though and I will be back to try the other meat offerings. If you plan on going on a taco crawl along Cesar E Chavez on a Saturday afternoon don't forget to add Tanya's to your list.



Tanya's Tacos
4300 Cesar E Chavez Ave
Tacos $1
Raita Aubergine
The hot knives crossed in daily dish

The saltworks, California proposes the prohibition of truck of taco

(the photograph by the intermediary of the forces of Times of New
York try to prohibit trucks of taco in the saltworks, California. For
some communities the life style of taco is seen like threatens for the
statu quo. The war of culture enters the forces theantione and the
forces of pro-pro-taco reaches a launching of fever my friends. The
fever of taco is here to remain but nobody indicated that the road
with freedom would be paved with hechas of twisted a mano. Thus the
fight continues. In solidarity with my brothers of taco to the top of
north I will roast some asada edge and will eat a jalapeno. Otra
vez!Proposed the prohibition of the trucks of taco stirs up animosity
in a polemic of truck of California Town[NY Times raised with
forthcoming trucks of Herald]Taco of level[Monterey against. The trust
of restaurant in the saltworks, CA[Carpe Diem
Cake of marriage and bunch of flowers (cakes of cup) for my friend
Orange cake (no mixer)

Meillor connaissez un Taquero

From time to time I obtain email of the operators of truck of taco in
other states. I also obtain email of in love with taco of other states
asking where to obtain best the taco in their respective city. Time
came to join together both. Thus I decided to tear in addition to
Stephen Colbert "better know a zone" and calls this segment of my blog
"better know a taquero". I will comprise operators of truck of taco
everywhere of the country. If you are an operator of truck of taco
anywhere in the country send to me your information and the
pictures!Carlos Sosa is the owner of Yucateca of tacos with Tampa Bay,
Florida. Mr. Sosa transformed a bottom of 8x10 page into carriage
adapted to the customer requirements of taco. Before beginning its Mr.
Sosa of businesses sought on the Internets and found these blog and
appropriations this blog to inspire it to begin its taco business.Mr
Sosa a native of Yucatan, Mexico brought savours of yucatan and
michoacan to the asada of the service 727"I, the model of carnitas,
the POC-CHUC (roasted pig) and the pollo, the tacos, the tortas, the
quesadillas and even to the breakfasts michoacan the morning (the
chorizo and the eggs are my higher salesman) I sell the pibil
cochinita like yuca of tacos Wednesday and fishes the tacos and of the
tostadas of ceviche on friday."If you live close to control Bay out of
Yucateca of tacos and tell them the bandini taco sent park of
NPinellas avenue of Yucateca5895 sixty-ten-eighth of you!Tacos,
Fl33781

Better know Taquero

From time to time I obtain email of the operators of truck of taco in
other states. I also obtain email of in love with taco of other states
asking where to obtain best the taco in their respective city. Time
came to join together both. Thus I decided to tear in addition to
Stephen Colbert "better know a zone" and calls this segment of my blog
"better know a taquero". I will comprise operators of truck of taco
everywhere of the country. If you are an operator of truck of taco
anywhere in the country send to me your information and the
pictures!Carlos Sosa is the owner of Yucateca of tacos with Tampa Bay,
Florida. Mr. Sosa transformed a bottom of 8x10 page into carriage
adapted to the customer requirements of taco. Before beginning its Mr.
Sosa of businesses sought on the Internets and found these blog and
appropriations this blog to inspire it to begin its taco business.Mr
Sosa a native of Yucatan, Mexico brought savours of yucatan and
michoacan to the asada of the service 727"I, the model of carnitas,
the POC-CHUC (roasted pig) and the pollo, the tacos, the tortas, the
quesadillas and even to the breakfasts michoacan the morning (the
chorizo and the eggs are my higher salesman) I sell the pibil
cochinita like yuca of tacos Wednesday and fishes the tacos and of the
tostadas of ceviche on friday."If you live close to control Bay out of
Yucateca of tacos and tell them the bandini taco sent park of
NPinellas avenue of Yucateca5895 sixty-ten-eighth of you!Tacos,
Fl33781
missed
News of Wednesday

Silicium Llena Of That

If you thought your best chance of finding a great street taco was when the sun goes down , think again my friends. Many of LA's finest taco trucks operate both day and night. There is the two headed monster of La Estrella and El Pique that park side by each in Highland Park. There is the 50 cent taco special at El Capitan, the roasting al pastor spit at The Surfer Taco and lets not forget the senoras of La Golondrina that serve up enchiladas straight from the lonchera.

Now we can add another to the growing list of lunchtime taco truck eats (that's if you eat lunch at 2pm like your humble taco correspondent.)



Taqueria La Que Si Llena parks in front of the Superior Warehouse market at the corner of Cesar E. Chavez Ave. and Rowan Ave serving up solamente tacos,burritos y tortas.

It was about 1:30 in the afternoon when I strolled up to the window of the truck.

"un taco pastor, y un taco carnitas por favor"

"no carnitas hoy "

They were out of carnitas so I got adventurous.

"dame un taco de lengua por favor"

"un de lengua?"

I know she expected me to say asada. I expected me to say asada. But I said lengua. And I said it like I was a seasoned lengua eater.



The tacos came wrapped in thin paper. Two large fresh corn tortillas packed with meat, onions, cilantro and a light salsa de chile arbol.They were the size of small burritos and only $1.25 each.



I opened the lengua first. Thick cuts of beef tongue spilled out on to the plate, a beefy aroma filled my nostrils and after a heavy squirt of lime I dug in. The beefy strips of lengua dominate the subtle salsa and lime and it's a bit overwhelming but also very satisfying.

My taste buds had to adjust to the saucy al pastor and once they did I couldn't get enough. The fresh corn tortillas soaked up the achiote stain from the pork and the salsa and lime provided the perfect balance.



Cesar Chavez Ave is somewhat of a taco paradise . Whether you seek the fiery red salsa roja of King Taco, or the crisp battered fish tacos from El Siete Mares or the authentic dishes from La Parilla you will find it on this avenue where LA and Mexico collide.



Taqueria La Que Si Llena
3600 Cesar E. Chavez Ave.
Los Angeles, CA 90063
Tacos $1.25
Something of different: Breakfast for the dinner
a good book

King Taco #15

Before I started this blog I would eat at King Taco three or four times a week. I ate there so often the gentlemen that prepared the orders knew me. They knew me and acknowledged me. It's one thing if they know your face, it's another if they acknowledge you as a regular . That can go a long way to getting an extra salsa roja or cup of jalapeños or often times just the correct order. It always helps ordering the same thing every time. As they knew my face they also knew me by the name "2 carne asada , 2 al pastor guy".

One time one of the workers at the King Taco on San Pedro St said to me" Hey, you normally eat at the Pico and Alvarado king taco"

He was right, the Pico and Alvarado location was my King Taco.

After starting this blog I stopped going to King Taco. Not because I didn't love King Taco but because as a taco journalist I had to cover the overall taco beat and not the same beat everyday. There were other tacos to report on, the city was waiting.

So when I decided it was time to go back to King Taco I wanted to go to the King Taco I had never been to before. The King Taco stand in East LA on Olympic blvd, a region I refer to as the taco mecca.

To my knowledge this King Taco is the only King Taco that is a traditional taco stand(it has no indoor ordering) It is also one of the biggest taco stands in Los Angeles.


asada y al pastor

King Taco's carne asada is the popular choice . These are classic LA tacos. The perfect amount of oil is applied to each tortilla, and the way the onions and cilantro and meat combine with the hot salsa roja is just magical. Al pastor, suadero, carnitas are all excellent as well but it is the asada tacos that I fell for first.



But it is the salsa roja that sets firmly the crown atop the King's head. It is what you think of when you hear King Taco, and for heat lovers it is what you crave.

It is what makes King Taco the King.



King Taco #15
4300 E. Olympic Blvd.
Los Angeles, Ca 90023
http://www.kingtaco.com

PS : I'm looking for classic taco stands or taco huts. The kind that have an outdoor window ordering only and no indoor seating. The taco stand(as well as burger stand) is kind of a dieing art. The westside has only 1 taco stand, La Playita on Lincoln Blvd in Santa Monica. So my friends, email Me the taco stands in your area. Even if they are not the greatest tacos I still want to check them out.

The King Taco #15

Before I started this blog I would eat at King Taco three or four times a week. I ate there so often the gentlemen that prepared the orders knew me. They knew me and acknowledged me. It's one thing if they know your face, it's another if they acknowledge you as a regular . That can go a long way to getting an extra salsa roja or cup of jalapeños or often times just the correct order. It always helps ordering the same thing every time. As they knew my face they also knew me by the name "2 carne asada , 2 al pastor guy".

One time one of the workers at the King Taco on San Pedro St said to me" Hey, you normally eat at the Pico and Alvarado king taco"

He was right, the Pico and Alvarado location was my King Taco.

After starting this blog I stopped going to King Taco. Not because I didn't love King Taco but because as a taco journalist I had to cover the overall taco beat and not the same beat everyday. There were other tacos to report on, the city was waiting.

So when I decided it was time to go back to King Taco I wanted to go to the King Taco I had never been to before. The King Taco stand in East LA on Olympic blvd, a region I refer to as the taco mecca.

To my knowledge this King Taco is the only King Taco that is a traditional taco stand(it has no indoor ordering) It is also one of the biggest taco stands in Los Angeles.


asada y al pastor

King Taco's carne asada is the popular choice . These are classic LA tacos. The perfect amount of oil is applied to each tortilla, and the way the onions and cilantro and meat combine with the hot salsa roja is just magical. Al pastor, suadero, carnitas are all excellent as well but it is the asada tacos that I fell for first.



But it is the salsa roja that sets firmly the crown atop the King's head. It is what you think of when you hear King Taco, and for heat lovers it is what you crave.

It is what makes King Taco the King.



King Taco #15
4300 E. Olympic Blvd.
Los Angeles, Ca 90023
http://www.kingtaco.com

PS : I'm looking for classic taco stands or taco huts. The kind that have an outdoor window ordering only and no indoor seating. The taco stand(as well as burger stand) is kind of a dieing art. The westside has only 1 taco stand, La Playita on Lincoln Blvd in Santa Monica. So my friends, email Me the taco stands in your area. Even if they are not the greatest tacos I still want to check them out.
a good book
Hooray for the backlash bottled of water!