Food runs deep in my blood, starting with my family’s White Sail Cornmeal company and watching my father be both a surgeon and an award-winning chef. As the founder of The Call Of, I bring the same meticulous standards that earned acclaim for my rating systems at Gadget Review and Music Minds. When I’m not developing new recipes or experimenting with fermentation in my kitchen, I’m exploring restaurants to share stories that matter.
Food runs deep in my blood, starting with my family’s White Sail Cornmeal company and watching my father be both a surgeon and an award-winning chef. As the founder of The Call Of, I bring the same meticulous standards that earned acclaim for my rating systems at Gadget Review and Music Minds. When I’m not developing new recipes or experimenting with fermentation in my kitchen, I’m exploring restaurants to share stories that matter.
Is it possible to live in a city for over 20 years and know almost nothing about its culinary treasures? Somehow, I only recently discovered the amazing street taco scene right in my own backyard—well, an hour’s drive away.
It wasn’t until I moved to NYC and started exploring food culture more deeply that I began to appreciate authentic tacos. Inspired by the Red Hook taco trucks and the growing street food movement, I finally decided to embark on my own epic taco tour through LA’s Highland Park, Eagle Rock, and Boyle Heights neighborhoods.
Starting the Journey
Earlier in the day, I spotted four taco trucks parked along the same street near the Buttermilk Truck. This felt like a teaser for the night ahead. By evening, my taco adventure began in earnest, thanks to some research and recommendations. Armed with locations and tips from food blogs and Twitter, I was ready to dive into LA’s street taco scene.
Carnitas Michoacan
Our first stop was Carnitas Michoacan, a brick-and-mortar establishment with a street vendor feel. Sandy and I ordered tacos at the window: al pastor for her and lengua (ox tongue) for me. At just $1.25 per taco, I was shocked at how cheap they were compared to NYC prices. The tacos were wrapped in foil, and I initially thought they’d shorted us on portions. Turns out, LA tacos are smaller than their NYC counterparts. The lengua taco was decent but lacked bold flavors. I’d love to return for a full meal and explore the menu further.
Antojitos Carmen
Next, we headed to Boyle Heights to visit Antojitos Carmen, located at Cesar Chavez and Matthews Street. This vendor has been serving tacos for over 20 years, originally operating at the iconic Breed Street. We were greeted by Abe, who shared their story and guided us through the menu. I opted for a potato and chorizo taco, while Sandy chose chicharon (fried pork skin). The setup was classic taco table style, with self-serve condiments like onions, cilantro, and various salsas. Both tacos were fantastic—bursting with flavor and perfectly seasoned. Abe even gave us complimentary taquitos filled with beef, topped with lettuce and mayo. Hospitality and flavor at its finest!
El Pique Taco Truck
Our next stop brought us to Highland Park’s El Pique Taco Truck, parked in a self-serve car wash lot on York Avenue. Unfortunately, this taco truck didn’t impress. I ordered the lengua taco, which turned out to be mediocre—lacking the warmth and flavor of the previous stops. It’s clear why this truck was empty while its competitor down the street, La Estrella, had a crowd. After finishing our tacos, we made our way to see what La Estrella had to offer.
La Estrella Taco Truck
La Estrella is a standout taco truck, occupying a stationary spot on York Avenue. Sandy ordered her go-to al pastor taco, while I decided to try the cabeza (beef head) taco. The flavors were bold, the tortillas were warm, and the seasoning had a slight kick that elevated the experience. This was easily one of the best tacos of the night, reminding me why La Estrella consistently draws a crowd.
The Unnamed Taco Stand at Fletcher and Larga
For our final stop of the first night, we visited a local taco stand across from a U-Haul sign near Fletcher and Larga. I ordered buche (cow stomach) and beef shoulder tacos. This stand had a self-serve setup for condiments, and the tacos were flavorful, though the meat was diced a bit too finely for my taste. While it didn’t top La Estrella, it was a solid finish to our first night of taco crawling.
Our Verdict
This taco tour revealed a mix of excellent and mediocre experiences. While some vendors like Antojitos Carmen and La Estrella Taco Truck stood out for their flavorful and authentic tacos, others like El Pique Taco Truck fell short. The journey highlighted the diversity and richness of LA’s street taco scene.
Food
70
Service
80
Ambiance
60
Hits
– Antojitos Carmen and La Estrella Taco Truck offered truly authentic and delicious tacos.
– Vendors like Abe at Antojitos Carmen provided excellent and attentive service.
– The variety of tacos and vendors made for an exciting and diverse dining experience.
Misses
– The tacos from El Pique Taco Truck lacked flavor.
– The Korean BBQ taco at Estela and Khailyn’s Antojitos was overly salty.
– Some stands, such as Estela and Khailyn’s Antojitos, had longer preparation times because the meat was cooked to order.
Food runs deep in my blood, starting with my family’s White Sail Cornmeal company and watching my father be both a surgeon and an award-winning chef. As the founder of The Call Of, I bring the same meticulous standards that earned acclaim for my rating systems at Gadget Review and Music Minds. When I’m not developing new recipes or experimenting with fermentation in my kitchen, I’m exploring restaurants to share stories that matter.
Our team of chefs and seasoned travelers delivers honest, expertly crafted insights to guide your dining and travel experiences. While our expertise drives the process, we use AI to ensure our content is succinct and engaging.
Read our Code of Ethics to see how we maintain integrity in everything we do.
