Taqueria San Jose

The air of obstruction of the summer struck me as soon as I opened my
door of car. The air conditioned the turn of Westside to the valley of
San Fernando that I not prepared for heat assault.I needed on the left
a cold drink and a dish of hut of taco of tacos.The was not my
destination, just a stop on my way to return visit to friends in Van
Nuys. By certain sides I think that I thus return friends with people
in various parts of right I can eat the tacos in their city when I
visit them. Before this blog I make excuses for reasons not to trail
with people. Now I them taquerias mapquesting of the lucky find myself
in their need for neighborhoods(I really a friend in mountain
Park).Taqueria San Jose is a small hut of taco that a block in the
east of Hayvenhurst on Vanowen in Van Nuys.They announce the Al vapor
of tacos which are typically tacos of lengua or cabeza which is cooked
pressure but I was in mood for the trifecta of taco thus I went with
Al Pasteur, carnitas and the tacos of asada.The came supplemented to
onions, the cilantro and a salsa of Chile. The carnitas, crunching at
the edges had this porkyness salted perfect which is so much well
matched with a lime injection of lemon(or) and a spiced salsa of
Chile. Pasteur and the asada had this taste of grill and went well
with a frozen Mexican coke. I could have gone another round but the Al
vapor of tacos will have to wait until the nearest time. I was not in
mood for the street of tongue.Taqueria San Jose 16435 Vanowen, Van
Nuys, CA 91406-4730 telephone (close to the corner of the avenue of
Hayvenhurst and the street of Vanowen): 818.782.9741 Tacos $1.25
Soft Manis of Martabak/Martabak
Cooling with Ellroy with the Peaceful car dinante

Better know Taquero: Taqueria Los Barrigones

In the second installment of better know a taquero (yes, I stole this concept from the Colbert Report's better know a district) I sat down(virtually) with taquero Jorge Campos, owner of Taqueria Los Barrigones in South Gate.Mr Campos started Taqueria Los Barrigones 5 months ago after moving from Texas to Los Angeles.






So you come from Texas. Is there a difference between a Texas taco and an LA taco? I hear breakfast tacos are big in texas.

Honestly I don't think there's such a thing. Texas doesn't have authentic food. I kept it very traditional, just what you would find if you were walking the streets of Mexico.

How long have you been in business? Was there a moment when you thought "yes we've made it"?

I've been in the taco business for about 4 years now. When I opened the 1st place in Texas, it was tough people were hesitant to try them. I remember the 1st 2 weeks we sold like an average of 50 tacos a night. Pretty tough. Then one night it jumped to like 150, and from that point on there was no stopping us. So in that sense yes I felt like I made it in Texas. I've been here in California for about 5 months now and at times we get these spurts of people but I think I can do alot better. It's just tough, people are hesitant to try the tacos since theres so many mediocre places out here.

What made you decide to get into the taco business?

I've been around the food industry all my life. I knew I was going to open up some type of restaurant. Being that Tacos are a mexican tradition I wanted to have something that keeps my nationality going. So tacos it is. Now I have one of the best tacos people can eat.

To me lettuce on a soft taco is sacrilegious. how do you feel about lettuce on a taco?

Lettuce on a soft taco. you go to taco bell, el pollo loco. These aren't authentic mexican tacos.

You're open real late on the weekends(3am) have you been able to pull in the late night party crowds?

We're starting to draw some people in at night. It's pretty tough here, theres so many officers on the streets here at night that people avoid this area. Back in the day this Tweedy mile was a cruising spot, well they've gone away from that. So people are just finding out about us.

what is the taco scene like in South Gate? Any plans for expansion?

Honestly we're the best South Gate has to offer. Will be expanding in the near future. We have a location in LA by USC, and another in Paramount. Hopefully those will open this year. its tough. im a sole prop. and dont get any loans so it takes me a while.

What do you think of some of the big names in the taco business, chains like King Taco and Don Chente?

Well interesting. The honest truth King Taco used to be good, about 15 years ago. Now its just a name people recognize. They have a hot sauce thats it. I must say their pastor is pretty tasty at times, or should I say depending on the location. But obviously King Taco has done something right they've been able to establish one of they hardest businesses there is. Don Chente I can honestly say I know very little of. I know its the fastest growing chain there is today. I guess its good to use a Mexican Icon's name for your business. Vicente Fernandez is a big big Mexican name known all over the world. Why not use his name and an image that almost resembles him. Tasted their food once not too impressed.
On that note I would love to have a taco cookout where the best of the best go up against each other. I'm willing to put my tacos up for a taste test against anyone. They are that good.

That's a great idea. I could be the MC



What region of Mexico do your flavors come from?

It's a lil mixture of Mexico. Yellow corn tortillas, nice juicy meets, grilled onion and lemon. its just a Mexican Taco. But i followed the traditions from Chihuahua, where I'm from.

Thanks for the interview. I look forward to tasteing your tacos and I'm sure my readers do as well.

I hope I was able to give you a little info to help you out. Like I said my tacos are different, from style, texture ,and taste. I use only the best and freshest ingredients, all my meats are fresh and cooked on a daily basis, nothing is frozen.





Check out Taqueria Los Barrigones and tell them the great taco hunt sent you!

Taqueria Los Barrigones 4070 tweedy blvd. 323-569-8200
Mon-Thurs 9am - 11pm
Fri-Sat 9am - 3am
Sun 10am - 11pm.
Madeleines
Soft Manis of Martabak/Martabak

Tacos Raza

Thus I see this taqueria all the hour but it is right around the
corner of the taurino of EL and of the taco of king and when I am fact
the sector it is or EL parian, the bull or the king.But I am a
journalist of taco for chrissakes and as much as I wanted this roja
salsa of taco of king I was curious about the tacos raza.Tacos Raza is
interior very small. There are tables of a couple and a meter with 3
stools, a refrigerator with the Mexican cokes and the horchata in the
corner and the containers of rest of salsa beside the counter.Tacos
Raza translated with the tacos of the people (I think). Ironic which
it is right a few blocks of the dictator of taco itself, King Taco.
You see that the tacos Raza is the taco of the man of the people, the
daily man. Yes the king drew aside his néo -- taco-colonialism
through the city and the influence of the king is so large it could
could probably have the stop of Raza of tacos more quickly than you
could say todo.In completely misleading a city large projectiles I
always as for you enraciner for the small type. Thus I sat down there
with the thinking"Cmon Raza of bar of taco does not leave me asada and
carnitasAnd down."carne only they not. These tacos was excellent.
Twisted very hot oil on the grill, the good quantity of cracking and
of tender meat with the abundance of the juice and a roja of salsa
which competes the king for heat.If that you are close to the union of
pico and does not want to treat the lines with the king or the taurino
of EL then does not hesitate to check the raza tacos. The tacos are
$1.25. Mexican coke and horchata available.Tacos Razaolympic/alvarado
Jitlada in the news; good day at that time
Cake of Daikon/navet

The tacos puts Jorge coming at the westside

The tacos puts Jorge, new a taqueria of westside in Venice Blvd and
Cattaraugus in tacos of aka of truck of taco of Culver CityRudy puts
Jorge passes to the top the world of taco to a taqueria of brick and
mortar. Because Peter Griffen would indicate - candy to Freakin '. My
preferred truck of taco of westside leaves the mobile world of taco
for a greener chance of pastures.Good to the tacos puts Jorge!Stay
granted for news on the large opening.
Madeleines
Orange cake (no mixer)

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

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