Taco Tour of the Arts District

As I made various stops in the Arts District recently, I noticed something.
There are a variety of taco shops offering different regional variations. And I realized – this would be a great opportunity for a DIY taco tour with friends.

There’s a little bit of everything here, from some of the best crispy tacos in Los Angeles to a hidden taco window serving one of the best Mexican restaurants in the city.

All of these establishments are located within the Arts District, making them easy to reach for a quick bite to eat or a taco crawl.

Ditroit Taqueria

For years we have heard stories about the greatness of Ditroit Taqueriathe window behind the equally excellent Damianowned by Chef Enrique Olivera and Casamata. (The window to enter is hidden behind a parking lot and a short walk from Maru Coffee.) It was a long-awaited moment when I finally made my way there for lunch, and the experience did not disappoint. It offers the same flair you might find at its upscale sister restaurant, but in taco form.

During our visit, we tried the suadero taco, which is similar to beef brisket. It was one of the best examples of this cut we’ve ever seen, after falling in love with it during a trip to Mexico City. Imagine a lightly confited protein dripping with flavor. Another favorite at Ditroit’s is the vegetarian Japanese eggplant taco: The eggplant is sliced ​​lengthwise and topped with thinly sliced ​​cabbage, a light sprinkling of pico de gallo, and cream, as if to resemble a fish taco. Awesome.

Chuy’s Tacos Dorados

The hotel is located on a busy section of Willow Street with difficult to find parking. Chuy’s Tacos Dorados it’s worth paying the $5 for private parking. (If you’re lucky, you can double park and still drive it, as I’ve seen many do.)

No matter how you get there, you’ll soon be rewarded with crispy taco bliss. Individually wrapped in foil, these hard-shell tacos are packed with your choice of protein. This time, we opted for the fried beef and the carne molina, which is made of fried potatoes and ground beef with chipotle.

The tacos are filled with shredded lettuce and a pile of golden shredded cheese, and topped with thin slices of white onion that have been marinated in lime. After dousing the taco with some salsa and a carefree attitude, you take your bite. What happens next is the fried tortilla shattering and a shift of tectonic plates in your mouth, quaking with flavor.

Guerrilla Tacos

Stopping by Guerrilla Tacos during a visit to the Arts District is almost like taking Fountain Avenue to get to Hollywood. We’d be fools not to mention this temple of Alta Baja cuisine, founded by chef Wes Avila and now run by Brittney Valles and her partner and chef Crystal Espinoza.

Grab a seat at the bar, which offers a wide variety of mezcal dishes. You’ll be spoiled for choice with the OG tacos menu and seasonal offerings. But if you’ve never been here before, start with the classics.

Much has been said about the sweet potato taco at Guerrilla, as it is probably one of the most lauded dishes in LA. It consists of a blue corn tortilla filled with small pieces of sweet potato and cooked with chewy pieces of fried corn kernels, freshly crumbled feta cheese, and a salsa made with almonds and cashews. It is always a delight for the senses. Another favorite is the picadillo pocho taco. (The term “pocho” refers to a person of Mexican descent who has been assimilated and does not speak Spanish.)

It’s filled with wild boar picadillo, potatoes, peas, and carrots. The taco is a great example of what GT does best: taking Mexican-American comfort food to new levels and giving it the full respect it deserves.

Don Pollon

Just steps from Ditroit Taqueria is Don Pollön, which begs the question: what goes best with a plate of tacos? Answer: a rack of ribs. DP not only specializes in Tijuana-style tacos, but also offers seriously good barbecue. With locations in East Los Angeles, off the Atlantic coast, and a truck in Santa Fe, diners can enjoy ribs, pollo asado, or even bone marrow, which makes for the best taco topping you’ve probably never heard of.

Try one of their signature sauces, including barbecue habanero and even an exquisite peanut salsa that recalls the flavor of the Filipino peanut stew called kare-kare. The fiery red salsa adds a piquant heat and will have you gobbling up your taco in just a few bites before going for more. The tacos themselves are the perfect size, not too big or too small, fit perfectly in your hand, and are filled with your choice of chorizo ​​or al pastor. And they contain the right amount of bark from the time they spent on the open mesquite grill.

LOQUI

LOQUI was founded by two former employees of Tartine Bakery in San Francisco. They now have locations in Playa Vista, Culver City and the Arts District. The counter is tucked away near Kreation Juicery, just past the outdoor planted area where you place your order. The taco is served with your choice of corn tortillas or flour tortillas. We love the variety and are obsessed with the taste of tortillas.

The sumptuous vegetarian options, especially the Anaheim chili taco with a cheese crust known as a “costra,” are perfectly topped with pinto beans, guacamole, white onions, cilantro, and red salsa. After taking a bite of this taco, you’ll feel like the taco gods are smiling on you.