LA is home to many wonderful things, like great music, gorgeous beaches, and perhaps most importantly, delicious tacos. So where should you go to gorge on tacos that will make you laugh and cry at the same time? That depends. In the past, I've highlighted Mexicali Taco Co. (best shrimp taco and infamous vampiro), Tacos Por Favor (best tacos west of the 405), La Estrella (best tacos east of East LA), and some legit taco trucks that roam the streets of East LA in the Great Taco Hunt of 2k11. Other winners are El Taurino and King Taco. All are great for their own reasons; all are places I'd hit up in a heartbeat.
Guisado's, the 2012 co-winner of the great Taco Madness, is no exception. In fact, whenever my friends ask me for a solid taco rec, I consistently direct them to Boyle Heights. Here's why...
"Lost?" Listen to the chalkboard menu and try the Taco Sampler, which comes with your choice of 6 mini tacos for $6.99. Each topping is unique, but each topping sit atop the same, fluffy, homemade corn tortilla, which to my taste buds is a beautiful combo of pita and tortilla. The texture of the tortilla is what steals the show.
Bistek en Salsa Rojo - beef in a red sauce that gives off the slightest heat |
Chorizo - probably one of my fave tacos. The chorizo is delicious! |
Tinga de Pollo - chicken with a hint of smoky spice |
Chicharron - stewed pork with plenty of lard and other goopy goodness |
Calabacitas con Queso (vegetarian) - sauteed squash, corn, onions, pepper, and crumbled cotija cheese |
Cochinita Pibil - Slow-roasted pork w/ red onion and a habernero chile sauce that will have you crying in seconds (I got my sauce on the side). |
Cochinita Pibil enroute to my mouth. Sorry buddy, it's gotta be done. |
Steak Picado - beef in very flavorful stewed sauce |
Camaron - regular-size shrimp taco with sauteed veggies and a sauce that sadly did not enhance any flavors. I got this one a la carte, but it was my least favorite of the meal. |
Eating area. |
Where the magic of the homemade tortillas happen. |
Love LA. |
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cuisine: Mexican
location: East LA (Boyle Heights)
hours: M-Sat, 10:30 AM - 8:00 PM; Sun, 11:00 AM - 5:00 PM
websites: { G | yelp | facebook | twitter }
parking: Street
attire: Casual
notes: Guisado's is branching out?!
other reviews: { J. Gold | GTH }