Where is the best mexican meat market for carne asada?

[Life is too short for bad food]

I live on the border of LA and Orange counties, so anything within 25 miles of the 605 freeway would be appreciated. I plan on freezing and vacuum packing this stuff to take on a trip where we'll be cooking over an open fire. I wanted something easy to do, but tastes great.

[StivKaye]

If you're in the South Bay, I recommend Los Paisas [21168 s western ave.] in Torrance. It's a small market with an adjoining good little restaurant. The marinated carne asada (skirt steak) and cornish game hens rock!

Everytime I go there, there's a dude grilling cornish game hens over charcoal in the parking lot and it smells fantastic.

In Orange County, I recommend El Toro (1st & Bristol) in Santa Ana (El Toro also has pretty tasty carnitas for about $6/pound and every pound comes with their house verde carnitas salsa) or El Metate in Santa Ana (on 1st near Grand ave.) or Orange (on Chapman Ave. near the 55 fwy).

If you get your meat at El Metate, make sure you grab some of their super fresh corn tortillas. These are arguably one of the best local market tortillas in all of SoCal. They must use a higher concentration of corn in their masa because those things pack quite a bit of corn flavor. You'll know you're in the right place as you'll be able to smell the pungent corn aroma as soon as you pull into the parking lot (even with your windows up).

Good luck with your fiesta!

[Jack Flash]

I'd love to know the answer to this question, but would like to limit the geographical parameters to Pasadena/Altadena, OR Highland Park (which I pass through on my way home). Any thoughts, fellow hounds?

[bigdoghh]

Vega's Meats in City of Industry. Hacienda and Gale Just north of the 60.

[dbz2001]

hi i would like to thank you for giving props to Vega Meats I am the Current owner and will like to thank you by giving you some Carne Asada whenever you have time....

[monku]

Don't know about the "BEST", but similar thread a couple weeks ago.

http://www.chowhound.com/topics/396975

My favorite is: (they might even vacuum pack it for you) Fantastic chicken too !!!!
Los Toros Meat Market
8210 Garvey Ave
(corner of Gavey and San Gabriel Blvd
)Rosemead, CA 91770

[phone]

[ipsedixit]

I just tried this place and indeed it is very good.

I plan to make another trip out there in anticipation of Memorial Day weekend festivities.

[monku]

Just passed by there this morning, but loaded up on fresh Italian sausage at Claro's for this weekend. ($1.99/lb bulk ready to freeze or regular $2.59).