Potato Taco In Highland Park, so good! "My Taco"

[bigtums]

Okay, maybe I'm crazy but I LOVE the potato tacos at "My Taco" in Highland park on York between Avenue 64 and Figueroa. Actually I like all the food there and the owners seem really nice. I usually will get the sopes and chicken taquitos. I've tried the potato tacos at Senor Fish and was not impressed at all. They were too bland. Has anyone else eaten here and loved it? Or hated it? I just want to know if maybe I'm crazy?

[Vaya Con Carne]

Until last month, I lived walking distance to MT and ate there several times a week. Haven't had the potato version, but the chicken tacos dorados are also fantastic, as is the borrego. And the carnitas. And the salsas!

Oh, I miss this place.

[tmgulotta]

My Taco is a very clean and well run taqueria in Highland Park. They are such a welcome addition! The jamaica is yummy and their grilled chicken combo is very tasty! Good service too!

[tmgulotta]

My Taco is such a welcome addition to Highland Park. I love the Jamaica! Their Grilled Chicken combo plate is outstanding. It is very clean and very popular with Highland Park residents as well as South Pasadena and Eagle Rock. Enjoy!

[Jorge_R]

My Taco has good food. I've been in their kitchen while they cook, the owner puts his body between me and his creation to protect his recipe secrets, joking but true. They've developed their family recipes thru experience.
They have great goat and consome, lamb, their specialty. It seems they make everything they serve their specialty. The only place I know that has fresh cooked cactus, great anyhow you ask for it, my favorite is with eggs or chile rojo. If you like realy hot, ask them to throw an habanero in your meal, they like using chiles but only if you ask for it. They do catering too.
I've seen El Atacor, two of them next to each other on Figueroa. They may be good but were not that good the late night I went eat there. I should try El Atacor earlier in the day before their food dries out.

[eileencole]

i lived in highland park for years and i know were york and fig is but i can't seem to remeber where this place is . is it on the coner acrosse the street from smart and finale or by the library. because i know that on the coner of york and fig is pennys. boy i was just there two days ago and i can't seem to remeber where it is . know the pizza place is next to the gas station.

[bigtums]

It's actually on York between Figueroa and Avenue 64. It's by the Jack in the Box and in the same mini mall as a chinese buffet and liquor store. I believe it's directly across the street from a Rite Aid or shoe warehouse.

[caucazian]

I tried My Taco for the first time today - Mamacita! Quite amazing. I had the barbacoa (roasted lamb served with onions, cilantro, tortillas and the goat consomme') for $4.25 - it was huge; I can't imagine what the "large" portion is like for $8 and change. I'm a fan of La Estrella on Figueroa at the Gold Line also, but will certainly return to My Taco. One Tommy Lee look-a-iike, his wife and baby, but mostly local neighborhood folks. Don't tell Jonathan Gold....

[bigtums]

I'm so glad you tried it! I've actually been wanting to try the barbacoa since it's their specialty. But I always end up ordering the potato taco and sopes. Mr. Bigtums says their Menudo is good too.

[misseatalot]

I've had their barbacoa 3x's now. Wow. The $8 dish is enough for three meals. This place is great. Thanks to everyone and their suggestions on My Taco's menu. I generally don't like sopes, but I would order their sopes again. Also looking forward to trying their whole fried dish plate. It looks like such a deal. This place is good eats at cheap prices.

BTW, how's their ceviche?

[bigtums]

I have not had their ceviche-I just can't get pass their sopes and potato taco. I'm usually full after I eat those-plus I snack on their nachos. They use "runny" cheese on their nachos, instead of just melting shredded cheese on chips. GOOD STUFF.

[misseatalot]

Yes, those nachos are the best! I've also asked them to put melted cheese on them and they don't skimp on the cheese. Those nachos are best with their chipotle salsa.

[Tony Miller]

Had lunch at My Taco a couple of weeks ago, based on this thread's reco. I enthusiastically second all the praise: potato tacos and sopes (al pastor) were superb, and the apparently-proprietor-lady at the counter was totally sweet. This was a 30-mile hike for me, so I won't make a habit of it, but I had a GREAT lunch.

[slacker]

I went to My Taco based on this thread, and totally forgot about the potato tacos! Well, I got the chicken tacos and they were just ok, the chicken did not have the nice smokey grilled flavor I was hoping for. They do pile on the chicken, though. I thought it was a little cheap of them to ration out the plastic containers for the salsa bar; you get two containers. I got my food to go and just assumed there would already be onions and cilantro on the tacos, when I got home surprise, no onions no cilantro, and I used my 2 container allotment for 2 salsas.
I'll know better next time, and next time I've gotta try the potato tacos.

[bigtums]

I'm sure if you asked for more containers and baggies they would give them to you. Depending on who's working I'll get anywhere between 2 to 4 containers and the same with the baggies. Hope you did go back to give them and those tacos a chance!

[slacker]

Not yet, but I'll definitely be back, and especially for those potato tacos!

[leia6137]

Haven't tried their potato taco yet, but I will next time. The best potato taco I know of though, as of right now, is Papas and Tacos over in Mission Hills. OOhh man, those are the best. You should give them a try some time.

[Local]

i'm guessing achiote (annato) or possibly recado rojo as the color/spice for the potatoes, but just a wag ...do ask, inquiring minds want to know!

[JeetJet]

You are going to have me going to the store and having some fun.

[ladelfa]

Yeah, I would sure hope it's not chorizo grease -- I pick potato tacos expressly for the purpose of NOT eating pork. Annato's probably a good guess, or maybe it's just powdered New Mexico chile.

Oh yeah, we went and tried them last night. It's a very clean restaurant, and with metal (not plastic) tableware. We each had one taco dorado papa, which admittedly isn't enough to really get a good idea of how good they are ;-) There was a lot of decent guacamole on the plate next to them, and we dug the salsas from the bar. Definitely a go-back-to-and-try again place, and next time we won't stop on the way to wolf down burritos at the TakiTaco truck, which is what we did last night and dang, we were pretty full already when I said "Wanna go try 'My Taco'?"

[bigtums]

How do you think they compare to Jessica's? I saw you recommended Jessica's, how do you think they compare? I'm glad you enjoyed the tacos and the restaurant. I think I can put down two, maybe at most-but I usually end up getting some other goodies there.

[ladelfa]

They're similar, actually. But Jessica's is kind of a grungy, scary place, and there's no menu; just a few hand-written signs describing various specials, one of which is the tacos de papas combo. Anything else you want, you ask the lady for; they apparently have all the usual taqueria options. The two times I've had them, they're been pretty substantial, very crunchy, and nicely dressed up (lettuce, sour cream, etc. on top). They're sort of the other end of the spectrum from El Atacor #11's.

The pupusas there were good too -- as good as any I've had -- but I can't say for sure how consistent stuff is there ... it might be one of those places where the constitution of any particular dish varies a great deal depending on who's in the kitchen that day.

God, it almost sounds like I didn't like the place. But I did. I'd go again. I wouldn't take fussy gringos there, though: I'd take them to My Taco instead.

[hjb]

their lamb barbacoa is amazing. it tastes intensely of LAMB!

[code7outlaw]

Another GREAT spot for potato tacos is "Manny's El Loco" in East Los Angeles. (3rd St just east of Atlantic Av)

[Akitist]

Not so much a comment on the restaurants in the area, which I've never eaten at, but I'm pleased to see interest, since I grew up within walking distance (Mt. Washington). Interesting food all over town.

[slacker]

um, Mt. Washington is not exactly within walking distance of York and Fig.

[Akitist]

When I lived in the area I would have considered it walking distance. I was on the Figueroa side of the Hill and 20 blocks on the flat is nothing. Some people do walk in LA.

[slacker]

I grew up in HP, and growing up, I would have walked it, in fact I walked much longer distances around HP. I live in the area now, and I would not walk it. Not only because now I'm all grown up and have a car, but because the streets have gotten dirtier (LA Sanitation is not keeping up), I feel much less safe (I really don't enjoy witnessing taggers tag right in front of me), and now I mind that there's not much shade along Fig.
So for me, walking distance is relative to a lot of factors.

[JeetJet]

But we are talking about hard-shell potato tacos. Maybe walking up and over the top of Mt. Washington would be a good idea?

[garvanza girl]

I absolutely love My Taco. The staff is so, so friendly and the tacos dorados are delish. Haven't had the potato version, but the chicken ones are great.

[bigtums]

I've only had the chicken taquitos-so good! I tend to stay away from the tacos dorados there only because I'm a huge fan of Pepe's hard shell tacos. The My Tacos ones will do in a bind, but I always get disappointed.

[JeetJet]

In those tacos, what are the potatoes like? Also, The Spoes, are those corn patties made from fresh masa or are they pre-made? My Thanks,

[bigtums]

The potatoes are seasoned with something. They describe them as, "Grandma's secret recipe". I just know they aren't white, like the potato tacos at Atacor #11. They're seasoned with something that turns them like an orange color.

The sopes they say is home made, so I'm guessing it's made from fresh masa. I think they taste home-made and I love sopes, but by no means am I an expert on them. I

[JeetJet]

Can I ask, do the potatoes seem fried, boiled and cut, or mashed? The sopes, corn patties, do they seem to be hot and made-to-order freshly fried crispy and almost browned around the edges and moist inside or re-heated on a griddle? My Thanks again,

[bigtums]

The potatoes are mashed. The sopes are crispy around the edges and moist. I think I've had some that were just heated on the grill at other place and these don't taste like that. I'd be really curious to see what you think of them, I probably have them all wrong and I don't want to mislead you.

[JeetJet]

I just got back from having lunch at My Taco today. Easy to find with that really big sign next to Jack-in-the-Box. From outside the place looked closed but that was just because of the reflective tinted glass windows that helps keep it cool inside. Nice size cross section of L.A. people inside for lunch today. Yes, the staff is very friendly and the inside of this place is very clean and nicely painted.

That was the best potato taco I have ever had. Yes, it appears the potato is cut into small cubes and boiled. I would say half of those are mashed and maybe paprika is added and just a little very very small diced onion -- maybe. That may explain the color and a slight hint of chili in the flavor. I think they add those mashed potatoes back to the rest of diced boiled potatoes and the result is a very nice soft texture of mashed/boiled potato that goes well with the hard shell of the taco. That cheese is shredded perfectly in small strings. The small diced tomato is so fresh and with that green guacamole all makes a colorful dish that they put together with love just like their Nana use to make – I am sure. At $1.25 with that much care in preparation this place is here to stay and grow.

The Sopes are also special and the corn patties are made fresh – crispy around the edges, great corn flavor and moist. Again, this is the best Sope I have had. The asada is tender and has a char flavor and some crispy edges. The same perfect cheese and fresh tomato is on the Sope. The Asada Sope is $2.25 and puts King Taco to shame.

My son called me while I was eating and when I told him about this place he said he will give it a try on Thursday -- he works on Lake in Pas.

Oh ya, you are NOT crazy to LOVE these potato tacos.

My Thanks to bigtums for the great rec.

My Taco
6300 York Blvd Ste 4
Los Angeles, CA, 90042
[phone]

[Obessed]

I was there today for lunch also! I had a combo of potato and chicken tacos and both were really yummy.

[bigtums]

yayyyyyyy! I'm so glad I wasn't crazy. I was so worried when you were asking me if the sopes was homemade because I thought it was. But I just pictured you eating one and coming back telling me that they were far from homemade. Isn't their salsa bar awesome! I love love love the green guac salsa. I like that you can get a "small" burrito. It's a little mini guy which is great because then you can get a bunch of other things like the sopes and potato taco without getting all stuffed on an asada burrito.

Huge thanks for being able to explain the potato taco a million times better than me. Glad you liked them as much as me!

[JeetJet]

My Thanks to you. I walked over to the salsa bar and looked but did not try anything because I wanted to taste the potato and sope as is. In fact, they are fine as is. The salsa bar is very nice and has all you could want. What is this about small burritos? Could it be made out of that potato? Man, that potato with a little egg in a small burrito (a one hand burrito) would be perfect. Are they flexable? Do you think they would make that? That would be the best breakfast burrito in LA.

[bigtums]

ooohhhhhh! Great idea! I can't imagine they wouldn't make it for you, I think it's worth asking. I'll take that potato filling in a taquito form too. We should ask them to put it on the sopes! hahaha!

I'm having a baby shower this weekend and they're catering it. I told my sister in law to get the potato tacos-so yup, potato tacos for everyone! You have to tell me how the potato burrito turns out!

[JeetJet]

I have another idea about the way the potato taco is made. I went back today with my son. While they were making the taco I asked whether they would make me a custom burrito of potato and egg and the counter person said no. My son took two bites of the patato taco and said a single word, “chorizo.” That was my first impression also yesterday when I ate it but I did not want to say that here until he confirmed it. In my home chorizo was the standard Saturday morning breakfast. We cooked the chorizo with small cut-up onion. My wife would always pour off the grease before she mixed it into the fried potatoes and then add the eggs. I would take some of the grease because, well – pork fat rules! Anyway, I would add some of the deep orange chorizo grease to some of the fried potatoes that were in the other pan (turning them orange) and my son and I would have a ... pre-breakfast?, in a flour tortilla. IMO, and my son’s opinion, the My Taco potato taco taste very close to what we indulged in all those years ago. I wonder whether the orange color and that little burn in the flavor of those mashed potatoes is chorizo fat? I am glade you are having a party and so many people will be trying those potato tacos. While they eat ask them what the flavor is that they are tasting. Report back, OK?

My Taco
6300 York Blvd Ste 4
Los Angeles, CA, 90042
[phone]

[bigtums]

I'm a huge fan of Chorizo, so that might explain why I Iove them so much. I don't know if the people at my party are psycho about food like me, but I'll try to ask. When I talk about food they usually look at me like I'm crazy because I tend to get really excited when I talk about food I like. But I will report back!

[bigtums]

Okay. So the report is this. The guy was SUPER SUPER cool when he got to my shower, but he was late. So basically by the time he set up the food everyone just gorged it down. As far as the tacos, I tried to ask around what people thought made them so good, but the conversation would take a detour when I had to explain to them that they taste a million times better when they're not cold. Yup, they were sitting at room temp probably for a good 2 hours before it got to the people. My guests still thought they were good, but they were raving about the carnitas instead. Sorry I wasn't of more help!

[cant talk...eating]

Their chili colorado is the hottest (and best) I've had in L.A. I agree - really nice family that runs it too. A real gem. Glad to know they expanded.

[slacker]

I can't believe I never noticed this place. Is it on the south side of York, in a minimall?

[bigtums]

My taco is in a minimall with a chinese buffet restaurant and liquor store. It's right next to the Jack in the Box. Between Avenue 64 and Figueroa.

Address:
6300 York Blvd.
Highland Park, CA 90042

Mon-Weds: 8am to 9pm
Thurs.-Sun: 8am to 10pm

[oro3030]

You should really try the Potato tacos at the place JG wrote up awhile back, Atacor #11 on Figueora just north of Ave 26.
I have become totally addicted to them - especially since they are right next to Footsie's, a pretty good bar.
http://www.laweekly.com/eat+drink/cou...

[TastELA]

Anyone know what the story is on these Atacor places? They are all over; are they related in any way, have the same menu, etc. etc. ?

[ladelfa]

The custom-printed calendar they hang in #11 lists two other branches that seem to belong to the same family. I noticed that the Atacor "#1" further up Figueroa, near Ave 35, was not one of the ones listed. Perhaps they were owned by the same folks at one time and split apart; the menu is fairly similar, although #1 doesn't seem to have potato tacos, if memory serves, and the giant burritos there are larger (not necessarily better) than the ones at #11.

[bigtums]

I finally tried the tacos at Atacor #11 the other day. So good! It was cheap and awesome. The article said that the potatoes were "bland" (but good) so I was worried, but they were really tasty. If I had to choose between the two, I think it would depend on my mood. If I was low on cash and wanted more for my money, I'd go to Atacor. But the ones at "My Taco" are bigger with more slightly more flavor. But for the price of four at Atacor you only get one at My Taco.

[ladelfa]

My Taco charges $2.89 for a single potato taco? Jeez! That's crazy.

Another good place for tacos de papas is Jessica's, at 2425 Daly St. (Daly St. is what Ave. 26 turns into) in Lincoln Heights.

Oh, and make sure you ask for at least one each of the red and green sauces when you go to Actacor #11. They usually give you only one or the other, but you need alternating splashes of both to hit the real taco nirvana. And, IMO, avoid the temptation to get the 10-pack of tacos. It ruins the zen of the order-of-four, which also comes with a small baglet of chips you'll need to scrape the last smear of salsa up off the plate.

[bigtums]

My bad! I just checked my take out menu and one potato taco at My taco is $1.25. To get their combo plate (3 tacos, rice, and beans) $5.25.

[eileencole]

is this place near night and gale high school

[bigtums]

I'm not too sure where night and Gale HS are, but it's on Figueroa between Figueroa and Ave. 64 next to a Jack in the Box.

[Akitist]

Florence Nightengale Junior High School is on Figueroa and Cypress, miles south of My Taco. We called it Night in Jail.

[RoachCoach]

Hilarious! Thx.

[kirkj]

do they deep fry the tortilla with mashed potatoes folded in?

[bigtums]

Honestly I'm not sure what comes first, the frying of the tortilla or the stuffing of the potato. I almost want to saw they stuff after the fry, because the potatoes are still soft around the edges.

[Pitchman]

Yes, I do love them too! I usually don't get potato tacos because I like some meat in my meal, but those potato tacos ROCK! And their guacamole salsa is awesome. I usually try to pick up dinner there at least once a week. Their sopes are darn good too. Don't venture too far away from the tacos and sopes though-I've had the beef soup and another beef dish and they were extremely salty.
Their service is a bit spotty when they get slammed.

[TastELA]

been passing by since they opened and always wondered. I guess I should ry it?

[bigtums]

Yeah, they just redid the place not too long ago. They bought the place next door and made it bigger and then threw some paint on the walls. I know there are probably some other great taquerias around, but I really like this place.

[slowrider]

Most definitely.......
the place is clean, the salsa bar is really good, they make a variety of fresh juices,the rice & beans are good, the meat is not fatty or greasy and they have an excellent goat consomme.
Service can be a bit slow at times.

[echoparkdirt]

Just went there for the lamb barbacoa. Incredible. Jonathan Gold just called it one of the "ten best dishes" of 2007 and it is. Amazing. The "Carne Asada Fries" were terrible.