The age-old debate of LA versus NYC extends even to the realm of cuisine, but when it comes to Mexican food, Los Angeles unequivocally reigns supreme. As a New Yorker venturing into the vibrant food scene of LA, it’s a truth that’s hard to ignore, if not a little painful to admit. The depth, breadth, and sheer variety of Mexican culinary offerings in Los Angeles are unmatched, making it a true paradise for food lovers. While New York boasts its gems, finding exceptional Mexican food often feels like searching for diamonds in the rough. Los Angeles, however, is a different story – a sprawling landscape brimming with authentic flavors and innovative dishes at every turn.
Each visit to LA turns into an exhilarating Mexican food marathon, a delicious scramble to experience as much as possible. This culinary quest has led to unforgettable meals and a growing list of personal favorites, extending far beyond just tacos. While not an LA local, my experiences consistently point back to these must-visit spots, places so compelling they become the anchors of every trip. For those in the know, especially Angelenos, your recommendations are always welcome!
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Coni Seafood: Nayarit Style Seafood in Inglewood
Coni Seafood is practically a rite of passage for anyone exploring the Los Angeles food scene, and rightfully so. Specializing in Nayarit-style cuisine, a regional Mexican style perhaps less familiar to those from NYC, Coni excels in seafood, particularly shrimp and fish. The shrimp aguachiles, featuring head-on raw shrimp, are a vibrant explosion of flavor. Bathed in a zesty citrus marinade of lime juice and a fiery green salsa, they perfectly balance sweet, spicy, and refreshing notes. However, the undisputed star is the pescado zarandeado, grilled snook, served by the pound.
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While the presentation of a whole snook, splayed open on a metal sheetpan, might be unconventional, the taste is nothing short of extraordinary. This snook, also known as robalo, is a revelation. Marinated in a blend reminiscent of orange juice and soy sauce, with a possible touch of mayonnaise for grilling crispness, the flavor profile is uniquely savory and sweet. Served with warm corn tortillas and a side of deeply caramelized onions, described by one diner as “Mexican French onion soup,” each bite is a journey. The fish flakes effortlessly, offering a mix of tender and crispy, salty-sweet nuggets. It’s a dish that lingers in your memory long after the meal is over. Conveniently located in Inglewood, near LAX, Coni Seafood makes an ideal first or last stop for visitors seeking the best Mexican food near Los Angeles International Airport.
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Guisados: Stewed Taco Perfection in Boyle Heights
Guisados in Boyle Heights has been previously lauded for achieving “stewed taco perfection,” and this assessment remains accurate. Forget standard taco fillings like pastor or asada; Guisados specializes in traditional, homestyle stews and braises, as their name suggests. The tortillas are a highlight – slightly thick and nutty, made from nixtamalized corn sourced from the family-owned market next door, then freshly pressed and griddled on-site. When they say “fresh tortillas,” they truly mean it. For first-timers, the sampler platter of six mini tacos is highly recommended. It’s the perfect way to navigate the impressive array of stewy fillings. The cochinita pibil, tender and smoky pork shoulder, is a celebrated favorite, but the chicken tinga is equally captivating. Guisados offers a taste of authentic, comforting Mexican food in the heart of Los Angeles.
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Blue Corn Quesadilla Cart: Echo Park’s Hidden Gem
Located near Echo Park (at Echo Park Blvd and Sunset Blvd), this unnamed cart is a testament to Los Angeles’s vibrant street food scene. Known for its Blue Corn Quesadilla Lady, who prefers not to be photographed, this spot operates from a humble griddle in a parking lot. She crafts fresh tortillas by hand, patting blue corn masa directly onto the hot surface – a testament to skill and dedication. Fillings go beyond simple Oaxacan cheese, including squash blossoms, beans, chicharrones, chicken, chorizo, and the uniquely flavorful huitlacoche. Huitlacoche, also known as corn smut or corn fungus, might sound unusual, but it offers an earthy, mushroom-like taste. Each quesadilla is cooked flat until the thick tortilla achieves a delightful crackle, then folded and flipped for a perfectly chewy-crisp texture. Customize your quesadilla with raw onions, nopales, or fiery red or green salsa. This Echo Park gem offers some of the best and most authentic Mexican street food in Los Angeles.
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Ricky’s Fish Tacos: Ensenada Style Fish Tacos in Silver Lake
Ricky Piña’s journey from a tarp-covered parking lot operation to a shiny food truck in Silver Lake is a true Los Angeles success story. Ricky’s Fish Tacos remains unchallenged in the realm of fish tacos. His Ensenada-style fish and shrimp tacos are legendary. The batter, a closely guarded secret, results in tacos that are both golden and remarkably greaseless. Served with crunchy raw cabbage, a chunky tomato and pepper salsa, and crema, with optional fresh salsa verde, each taco is a perfect bite. The plump shrimp tacos are equally impressive, and don’t miss their frequently changing agua frescas. Ricky’s Fish Tacos is a must-visit for anyone seeking the best fish tacos in Los Angeles.
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Chiquis Taco Truck: Best Tacos Al Pastor in Los Angeles (Santa Monica and Vine)
In a city saturated with taco trucks, declaring one the “best” is a bold claim, but Chiquis Taco Truck might just take the crown, at least for tacos al pastor. Their al pastor is simply exceptional. Shaved from the spit and crisped up on the griddle before being nestled in warm tortillas, and topped with juicy, pork-infused pineapple, these tacos are worth far more than their modest price. A picnic table laden with buckets of salsas, raw and pickled vegetables, and roasted peppers allows for full customization. Chiquis was the place where pastor love truly blossomed. The profound difference between the often-dry pastor elsewhere and the juicy, crispy, and intensely seasoned meat at Chiquis is undeniable. As a bonus, for those who appreciate a good dive bar, Chiquis is conveniently located next to 3 Clubs. For late-night cravings, Chiquis Taco Truck is the destination for the best tacos al pastor Los Angeles has to offer.
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Mexicali Taco & Co.: Baja Flavors and the Legendary Vampiro
Named after the Baja border town where the owners grew up, Mexicali Taco & Co. evolved from a stand to a brick-and-mortar restaurant, celebrated for flame-grilled carne asada, thin, chewy flour tortillas shipped directly from Mexicali, and the iconic Vampiro. The Vampiro is a glorious, indulgent creation, resembling a quesadilla but elevated. Gooey Monterey Jack cheese and garlic-mayo sauces bind the perfectly grilled carne asada between toasted tortillas. A DIY salsa bar provides further customization, but the Vampiro is already a flavor powerhouse on its own.
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Don’t overlook their architecturally impressive nachos, loaded with roasted peppers, tomatoes, and onions, and generously drenched in a Velveeta-style cheese sauce. Mexicali Taco & Co. brings the authentic taste of Baja California to Los Angeles.
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Mariscos Jalisco: East LA’s Mariscos Champion
A long-standing institution in East LA, Mariscos Jalisco has been serving up mariscos for over a decade, offering dishes that are sorely missed elsewhere, especially in NYC. The taco dorado de camaron (fried shrimp taco) is a must-try. It’s a unique creation, featuring a shrimp, tomato, and onion fritter mixture encased in a tortilla, deep-fried to a crispy, dark brown perfection, with a light and airy interior. Doused in a thin, zippy red salsa and adorned with creamy avocado slices, it’s a flavorful and texturally complex experience. While the shrimp tacos receive well-deserved praise, the ceviches are equally noteworthy – tart with lime, but not overpowering, studded with fresh tomato and onion, and served on a crispy tostada, topped with more ripe avocado. Mariscos Jalisco is the undisputed champion for mariscos in East Los Angeles, offering some of the best and most authentic Mexican seafood in the city.
