Tacos in the Westside

[missruddiness]

I'm looking for some yummy authentic tacos in the westside. I'd prefer a restaurant rather than a roach truck...

Thanks.

[nosh]

Tacos Por Favor on the S/E corner of Olympic and 14th in Santa Monica -- big, generous tacos, very good hot salsa on their bar.

Taqueria Sanchez on the west side of Centinela between Washington and Culver -- fantastic shrimp tacos at a bargain price.

[a_and_w]

I second Tacos Por Favor, but only for the chorizo-cheese tacos. Their other meats always taste slightly off to me. Haven''t tried the tacos at Taqueria Sanchez, but the tortas are quite tasty.

[lakeshow318]

My wife and I eat tacos here on the westside pretty regularly and we like 'em in this order:
1. Tacos Por Favor
2. El Super Taco (although as previously mentioned, the tortas are the real star here)
3. Tacomiendo
4. Pili's Tacos (only when drunk and around the area)

[wilafur]

agreed with taco's por favor as well.

[a_and_w]

Tacomiendo has the best I've found by far. I love their quality meat, home made tortillas, and pickled onions at the salsa bar. I know you prefer restaurants, but the Anjelica truck is fantastic, though I always order the cemitas.

[noahbites]

I haven't been since they moved locations a while back, but for sit down on the west side, a lot of people have said that El Super Taco is the best of the authentic, sit down, west side tacos.

Has anyone been in a while? It's in the spot that used to be Farias on Pico and Sawtelle.

[mdpilam]

That's their second westside location. The first is next to Monte Alban. They are decent, but I think their tortas are the way to go (very good).

[noahbites]

For some reason I thought the location next to Monte Alban closed, but I'm probably wrong.

[bulavinaka]

I'm pretty sure I saw an El Super Taco storefront in the little strip mall on the northeast corner of Jefferson and Slauson, just west of the Staples.

[Jase]

Yes, there is one there. I've eaten there a couple of times. Same salsa bar and grilled onions as the Monte Alban one. Haven't tried any of the tortas there yet, just the tacos. The meats were not quite up to the same quality as the original or the one on Sawtelle/Pico. Still it's decent for westside and if you need to satisfy that craving on that side of town.

[QualityMart]

No, you are correct: the one next to Monte Alban is closed due to a fire. I think they are trying to rebuild but I'm not sure. It's completely burned out. Luckily Monte Alban was saved.

[a_and_w]

As QualityMart notes, the El Super Taco in the mini-mall with Monte Alban has been closed since the fire. But you can get the tortas at Monte Alban -- they're owned by the same people.

That said, I think Tacomiendo annhilates El Super Taco when it comes to tacos. There's just no comparison between the meat or tortillas.

[noahbites]

Oh, and they're the only tacos they have there, but the smoked marlin tacos at Mariscos Chente are awesome.

[streetgourmetla]

I'll second this. Ask what tacos they have at Marisco's Chente:smoked marlin, shrimp tacos, or perhaps a gobernador(shrimp with cheese and vegetables). The pescado zarandeado come with torillas to make your own tacos with the carmelized onion and worcestershire sauce. WIth a few people, the pz, and a some other tacos you've got a party. Chase with a bucket of beers.

[Jase]

I've just struck out the last couple of times when I've asked for the marlin. Still haven't had the chance to try it.

I've had to console myself with some aquachilie and whatever other shrimp dish strikes my fancy that day. Two shrimp dishes, couple of beers and basket of chips and I'm out the door continuing with my walk. One of these days, I'll hopefully catch a marlin.

[streetgourmetla]

Too bad. But try the shrimp tacos if there's no marlin. Give that lure some slack, and you'll get that marlin.

[Norm Man]

Try Tacos Don Jorge. Bandini ("The Taco Man") turned me onto to Tacos Don Jorge. Before opening brick and mortar Tacos Don Jorge, the owners operated a well regarded taco truck.

Tacos Don Jorge
8633 Venice Blvd
Los Angeles 90034
[phone]
http://www.TacosDonJorge.com

[Dommy]

I agree with this, open late too! :)

--Dommy!

[hhewitt]

Agreed as well. Their al pastor are delicious, and their tacos are very reasonably priced. My mom from Northern California always has them when she comes to visit.

[orythedog]

Sure it's a truck but no roaches here; just the best al pastor and carne asada in the city~
El Matador
1174 North Western (Western and Lexington)
East Hollywood

Also a rec from Bandini, the guy that reviews tacos for a living...