Serious Mexican Westside- Pili's Taco

[Porthos]

Last post I found was in 2008 so here's an update. I drove by this place around lunch time and had to go in. It's a tiny little place with 5 tables. They have an excellent selection of meat for tacos. The standards including al pastor, carnitas, asada, lengua and some not so standards including cabeza (head), goat, pork stomach. The carnitas was very tender and moist pork. Not really standout but good. Lengua was excellent. The star however was the cabeza. Wow. Just a rich mix of the fatty and flavorful parts around the head. Superb.

The chicken soup was a light broth. I prefer puerto rican and cuban sopa de pollo so this was a letdown for me. The pozole was another home run though. Rich doesn't describe how flavorful and good this soup was. It was chock full of pork meat, fat, and hominy. Wow.

I'm dying to go back and try the goat stew. I think if you come here, you go exotic. Get cabeza instead of your standard al pastor or asada, get the pozole instead of chicken soup. You won't regret it.

The tacos are $1.50 each except for the fish which is $2.50 and the goat which is $1.60

[Porthos]

Went back to Pili's tonight. Had the pork spareribs stewed in salsa verde. Excellent. The pork was tender and the chile verde flavorful and complex. I also had an order each of cabeza, asada, and al pastor soft tacos. All were excellent. the cabeza again the most flavorful one but a little wet from the cooking liquid so you have to eat it first. The al pastor was a very close second for deliciousness.

My friend got the bistec ranchero which came with rice and beans. Very flavorful bistec sauteed in tomatoes and onions. Simple and very tasty.

Another friend couldn't decide between the al pastor or asada burrito so the guy made one half half.

I'm going to have to try the goat next time both for soft taco and also the goat barbacoa

[cant talk...eating]

The last time I was in there (a couple weeks ago), there was exactly one person working, taking orders, cooking and bringing food out. I stood there waiting to order for about 15 minutes before giving up (there were maybe 4 diners). It took four customers to basically jam it to a halt. Was it different for you? I would like to go back - the stuff looked good.

[Porthos]

Yes, same 1 person doing everything. I got there around 1130 and there was no one else in line ahead of me. I can see how 2 people ahead of you could make it a horrible wait.

Does El Super Taco have cabeza as one of the meat choices for taco? I think it's my new favorite meat for tacos now.

[a_and_w]

Yes, El Super Taco has OK cabeza, but it's not a filling I generally order, so I haven't tried Pili's version to compare. BTW, I really think tortas, rather than tacos, are the way to go at El Super Taco.

[a_and_w]

I've tried Pili's a couple of times. It's fine but I always leave thinking I should have gone to Monte Alban or El Super Taco across the street. If you like chicken soup try the consumme ranchero at Monte Alban -- or better yet their sopa azteca (tortilla soup) which can be ordered with chicken as well. BTW, if you do try the mole, I recommend ordering it with the "tacos enchiladas" (not to be confused with plain old "enchiladas" on the menu).

[Servorg]

Aren't they basically across the street from Monte Alban?

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Pili's Tacos
11924 Santa Monica Blvd, Los Angeles, CA 90025

[Porthos]

I think so. Never been to Monte Alban.

[Servorg]

I'll give it a try (it's in our orbit since we go to Monte Alban and right across the street U-zen) and add to your post when I do. Thanks for the heads up. And you really ought to give Monte Alban a try one of these days.

[Porthos]

Will do. Besides the mole, what do you recommend at Monte Alban? Maybe you could compare the goat stew between the two places. Tough job but someone's got to do it right?

But give the cabeza and the pozole a shot. They're good stuff.