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Hershey Bomar Feb 23, 2009 12:56 PM

Best hard tacos?

When I was a kid in Connecticut we had Tuesday taco nights . What my mom cooked was seasoned hamburger meat, shredded cheese, shredded lettuce, and salsa from a jar. The taco shells were always hard and crumbly. I don't have much nostalgia for those dinners and until recently I hadn't had a hard taco in 15 years.

I had one a El Pollo Loco and it was delicious -- and started my carving. I just loved the combination of the crispy taco shell, warm chicken, and crunchy cold lettuce and tomatoes.

Next, I had Burrito King and that was awful. Over the weekend I had El Conquistador and that was lame. Where should I go for a really good hard taco?

Tito's is to far and I'm sure there are some places in Silver Lake, Hollywood, Glendale, Pasadena?

  1. o
    ohdaylay Mar 3, 2009 03:41 PM

    You should try Tops Jr. on Main Street in Alhambra. Certainly not a taco spot, but they do them just they way you like 'em.

    1 Reply
    1. re: ohdaylay
      r
      rickym13 Mar 3, 2009 03:57 PM

      i like pepe's hard taco with guac in alhmabra....also do like jack in the box 2 for 99cent taco :)

    2. f
      flowergirl Mar 2, 2009 04:01 PM

      Any suggestions for great hard shell beef tacos on the Westside?

      5 Replies
      1. re: flowergirl
        Foodandwine Mar 2, 2009 04:27 PM

        I actually like Titos Tacos for Hard Shell on the Westside..

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        Tito's Tacos
        11222 Washington Pl, Culver City, CA 90230

        1. re: flowergirl
          Servorg Mar 2, 2009 05:25 PM

          Paco's Tacos on Centinela just barely south of Washington Blvd. in Mar Vista with their fresh housemade tortillas (they even have cochinita pibil, which is not always the case for westside places). And if you make it there then wander down the street south another couple of hundred yards and go to Mariscos Chente for unreal Sinaloan seafood (shrimp, fried fish or cocktails with octopus and shrimp) in some of the most incredible sauces you will ever experience.

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          Pacos Tacos
          4141 S Centinela Ave, Los Angeles, CA 90066

          Mariscos Chente
          4532 S Centinela Ave, Los Angeles, CA 90066

          1. re: flowergirl
            Hershey Bomar Mar 2, 2009 07:30 PM

            Tacos Por Favor

            1. re: Hershey Bomar
              k
              kproq323 Mar 2, 2009 10:25 PM

              I'll second Tacos Por Favor. Also Don Antonios on Pico on the Westside serves up some old school ground beef greasy hard tacos.

              1. re: kproq323
                Servorg Mar 3, 2009 01:47 AM

                Doh!! Hard to believe I forgot Don Antonio's since it's a regular stop for us. Great recommendation and I second this. They have picadillo (ground beef) tacos which are great as well as shredded beef and (and then taco Wednesday when all tacos are 99 cents each).

          2. l
            loisandshark Mar 1, 2009 09:19 PM

            Hello? Nobody's rec'd Benito's Tacos? Shredded beef? Check. Queso cotija? Check. Deep fried? Check. Don't miss this joint in your travels! 2 or 3 locations... one at fairfax @ beverley and another on pico somewhere. Way better than all the other recs in these comments. Oh, and don't forget to order 3 rolled tacos with guacamole. Reminds me of my time in San Diego with all the Roberto's, Alberto's, Alaberto's, Jilberto's, etc.

            1. j
              JeetJet Feb 28, 2009 08:52 PM

              I am always looking for hard shell tacos made with shredded beef. Several weeks ago i stopped at a small place off the 605 fry on Beverly in Whittier -- El Buen Gusto .These were exactly as they should be. Perfect shell, jucy roast beef, lettuce, tomato, cheese, and some sour cream on the side. Very good service with seating inside or outside. Very clean place.

              El Buen Gusto (Hard Shell shredded beef or chicken tacos and Huevos Rancheros)
              10820 Beverly Blvd # A2 (East of the 605 at Beverly, Workmen Mill Rd. and Norwalk Blvd. Next to Baskin Robbins)
              Whittier, CA 90601
              562-692-4448

              1. rednyellow Feb 24, 2009 09:23 PM

                I like the beef hard tacos at the stand next to the car wash on Vermont just north of Hollywood blvd.

                1 Reply
                1. re: rednyellow
                  johnnyshungry Feb 25, 2009 12:21 PM

                  Machos Tacos.
                  Cheap, good and just like my mom used to make

                2. Hershey Bomar Feb 24, 2009 04:21 PM

                  I tried RICK'S in Silver Lake today (total dive on the corner of Fletcher and Riverside). The taco's were like a diner version of what my mom made. The shell was greasy and crispy, a few tomato chunks, and tons and tons and tons of ground beef, lettuce, and totally un-melted cheese. I would say if this sounds good to you then it won't get much better than this. This baby's are huge!

                  I tried El Gran Burrito (AKA Midnight taco or whatever on Sunset and Vermont) and the ordering and seating there is very confusing. The hard taco's shell was ultra thin and delicate like those crackers you sometimes get at Indian restaurants back east. All I remember is sour cream. I never eat sour cream. And the mess I made...

                  I have to explain that I'm not craving ground beef taco's like at Ricks. I'm just craving hard tacos. So I'll try the places that seem to fit the bill.

                  1 Reply
                  1. re: Hershey Bomar
                    a_and_w Feb 25, 2009 08:05 AM

                    On a tangential note, there are Indian places in LA that serve papadum (lentil wafers) too. They come with every order at Nawab.

                  2. b
                    bluemonster Feb 24, 2009 04:19 PM

                    Get thee to Ricks in Silver Lake!!!! The hard shell beef tacos are delicious and huge. They follow the tried and true formula of your mom's, except the salsa is not from a jar.

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                    Rick's Drive In & Out
                    2400 Fletcher Dr, Los Angeles, CA 90039

                    1. johnnyshungry Feb 24, 2009 12:04 PM

                      Macho's Tacos next to the car wash on vermont has good hard shell tacos like my mom used to make.,hit the spot when I have the craving.

                      1 Reply
                      1. re: johnnyshungry
                        w
                        Wolfgang Feb 24, 2009 03:38 PM

                        I second Lucy's El Adobe, but I prefer their chicken hard tacos with shredded chicken, lettuce, cheese and guacamole. Add a combo of their mild and "hot" salsa and you have a delicious experience. The taco dinner is overpriced--in the neighborhood of $15. It comes with a simple but good soup and salad along with rice and beans.

                      2. David Kahn Feb 24, 2009 11:03 AM

                        I know exactly what you mean. Lucy's El Adobe, on Melrose across the street from Paramount , has good, albeit greasy, bbq hard tacos. Extremely calorically dense.

                        And, no disrespect intended, but I really, really don't get the appeal of JITB tacos. I love their tv ads, which are consistently funny, but the couple of times I've tried the tacos, they tasted as if they were made with dog food. Sorry, I know some folks love them, but they just seem bad to me.

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                        Lucy's El Adobe Cafe
                        5536 Melrose Ave, Los Angeles, CA 90038

                        3 Replies
                        1. re: David Kahn
                          b
                          bubbles4me Feb 24, 2009 11:10 AM

                          Man, do I hear you on the JITB tacos, I do like quite a few things there...best fast food breakfast by far but those tacos, (shudder) cannot gag them down.

                          1. re: bubbles4me
                            Hershey Bomar Feb 24, 2009 12:00 PM

                            I think maybe JITB T's taste better after a bowl of MJ

                            1. re: Hershey Bomar
                              j
                              jencounter Feb 24, 2009 06:44 PM

                              They are definitely drunk/munchie food

                        2. sbritchky Feb 23, 2009 11:22 PM

                          That's ridiculous, HB! You talk as though most of us have a secret yearning for gringo tacos. Myself, personally, I'll only eat soft tacos made from dried, ground huitlacoche and filled with chopped hard-shell beetles from the Valley of Mexico lightly drenched in mole de la non-gúi. The beetles, I mean. Very, very occasionally -- no more than once or twice a week -- I'll stop at Chelos in Banning as I go out to the desert, but those are certainly not what you're talking about. Sure, it's a hard corn shell with highly seasoned and juicy hamburger, lettuce, tomato, yellow cheese, and manufactured sauce -- but that's the only similarity.

                          -----
                          Chelo's Authentic Mexican Food
                          1987 W Ramsey St, Banning, CA 92220

                          1. A5 KOBE Feb 23, 2009 11:10 PM

                            I love the hard shell tacos at Paco's Tacos. That is about the only thing worth getting at that place. Not the best, but definitely good.

                            1. f
                              foh Feb 23, 2009 11:01 PM

                              The gringo taco at Taco Plus is my flashback hardshell. There's no tomato on it, but there is pico de gallo at the salsa bar.

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                              Taco Plus
                              9824 National Blvd, Los Angeles, CA 90034

                              Taco Plus
                              1525 S Bundy Dr, Los Angeles, CA 90025

                              1. m
                                mdpilam Feb 23, 2009 10:20 PM

                                Its been a few yrs since I've been, but I remember Campos having a pretty good (hard shell) turkey taco.

                                1. a
                                  annapurna7 Feb 23, 2009 03:55 PM

                                  I'm a fan of Josie's Place in Gardena, but this is far from you. The chicken tacos are tasty.

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                                  Josie's
                                  16616 S Normandie Ave, Gardena, CA 90247

                                  1 Reply
                                  1. re: annapurna7
                                    s
                                    Silverlaker Feb 23, 2009 08:34 PM

                                    taos dorados at alegria on sunset -- chix taco is killer.

                                  2. monku Feb 23, 2009 03:51 PM

                                    $1 taco night at Barragan's is every Monday after 4pm.....go over right now. Hard tacos freshly made ground beef or chicken. Great chips and salsa too.

                                    -----
                                    Barragan's Mexican Restaurant
                                    1538 W Sunset Blvd, Los Angeles, CA 90026

                                    Barragan's Mexican Restaurant
                                    814 S Central Ave, Glendale, CA 91204

                                    Barragan's Mexican Restaurant
                                    730 N Victory Blvd, Burbank, CA 91502

                                    1. truetraveler Feb 23, 2009 03:44 PM

                                      It's been a while since I've been, but have you tried Pepe's? Their hard tacos were yummy the last time I went! There's a branch in Pasadena, Alhambra and Azusa - I hear there is one in the OC, but not sure.

                                      1 Reply
                                      1. re: truetraveler
                                        e
                                        Ernie Feb 23, 2009 04:02 PM

                                        Pepe's are good, especially with their chunky guacamole. In the area I also love the hard shell tacos at Mexi-Catessan in Monterey Park

                                      2. t
                                        TracyS Feb 23, 2009 03:28 PM

                                        Quite far from where you've mentioned, but my current hard taco love is the shredded chicken taco at Hermosa Beach Mexican Cuisine (most generic name ever but it's on Hermosa Ave in Hermosa Beach and has an anime character painted on its window). The shredded chicken taco is the only one that comes in the crispy shell and is lovingly made to order by the nicest people. All their food is sooo good.

                                        1 Reply
                                        1. re: TracyS
                                          b
                                          bubbles4me Feb 23, 2009 03:37 PM

                                          Another one not in your area but should you find yourself in Huntington Beach, try La Choza on Edinger their shredded beef crunchy taco is delicious!

                                        2. Vaya Con Carne Feb 23, 2009 03:21 PM

                                          I love the tacos dorados (crispy tacos) at My Taco in Highland Park. You can get them filled with chicken, beef, or potato. I don't think they'll be anything like what your Connecticut mom made, but they are so, so good that I'm hoping it will not matter.

                                          -----
                                          My Taco
                                          6300 York Blvd, Los Angeles, CA 90042

                                          1 Reply
                                          1. re: Vaya Con Carne
                                            mpken Feb 23, 2009 11:27 PM

                                            That lamb tacos dorados plate is a steal. Paired with a nice cup of agua fresca and I'm set.

                                          2. Foodandwine Feb 23, 2009 03:13 PM

                                            The El Tarasco hard taco might help with the fix your are seeking. I like the Manhattan Beach location

                                            -----
                                            El Tarasco Restaurant
                                            316 Rosecrans Ave, Manhattan Beach, CA 90266

                                            1 Reply
                                            1. re: Foodandwine
                                              m
                                              magic man Feb 23, 2009 03:22 PM

                                              TITO'S----IS THE BEST

                                            2. monku Feb 23, 2009 03:00 PM

                                              Henry's Tacos, favorite of Mary Kate & Ashley Olsen (twins)

                                              -----
                                              Henry's Tacos
                                              11401 Moorpark St, North Hollywood, CA 91602

                                              1. a_and_w Feb 23, 2009 01:03 PM

                                                The monster taco -- the one with the slice of American cheese -- at Jack in the Box. Not the best by a long shot but truly a guilty pleasure that takes me back to my childhood. Might do the trick...

                                                3 Replies
                                                1. re: a_and_w
                                                  j
                                                  Jaytizzle Feb 23, 2009 04:01 PM

                                                  Haha! I gotta agree with you on this. Even Del Taco's are delicious!

                                                  1. re: a_and_w
                                                    monkuboy Feb 23, 2009 08:46 PM

                                                    I went to Jack in the Box on the weekend and they didn't have the monster taco on the menu anymore. Just the regulars at 2 for 99 cents.

                                                    1. re: monkuboy
                                                      a_and_w Feb 25, 2009 08:03 AM

                                                      Nooo!!! Stopped by yesterday and confirmed -- no more Monster Taco at Jack in the Box. May they rue the day...

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