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New Yorkers 1st Choice
Guide to East LA

Salsa spots

Salsa that brings a distinct, house-made complexity rather than the generic heat found everywhere else.

Based on 481 Opinions
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Updated May 2026
01
Las Villanas Restaurant image 1
Las Villanas Restaurant image 2
Las Villanas Restaurant image 3
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Mexican restaurant

Small, family-run Mexican restaurant with a cozy, inviting atmosphere and limited seating. The space feels like a home-style kitchen, creating a warm, comforting vibe. Known for authentic dishes like menudo and tamales, it draws a steady crowd despite its understaffed, intimate setting.

Food here is consistently fresh and delicious with a clear emphasis on being made with love. Dishes like chilaquiles stand out for their great Mexican flavors and overall quality.

Chips and salsa offer a great first impression with delicious flavors. The green salsa stands out and pairs well with the chips to keep hunger at bay before the main dish.

People are saying

"The food here is absolutely delicious."

"It's a small, cozy place, perfect for a cold day."

"The pozole tasted clean and authentic, reminding me of home."

Good to know

1

Parking is limited in a mall next to 7-11.

2

The restaurant has only a few tables, so seating is limited.

3

They accept phone orders for takeout.

02
Tacos El Gรผero image 1
Taco restaurant

Food truck offers popular tacos with crispy al pastor and cheesy mulitas. Atmosphere stays casual with limited seating and often lines form at dinner. Prices remain reasonable despite high quality and fresh ingredients.

Fresh Mexican food comes with grilled onions and limones already on the plate. The food truck serves super delicious dishes that attract with their smell.

Salsas range from mild to very spicy, with some hitting a heat level of three chili peppers. They complement the tacos and quesadillas well, enhancing the overall flavor.

People are saying

"I thought the al pastor tacos were fire and delicious."

"The salsas here are good and sometimes spicy."

"I found the food here to be super delicious."

Good to know

1

They now accept various payment methods, including cards.

2

The price for 7 tacos is $15.75, offering good value.

3

They recently added tortas, quesadillas, and asada fries to the menu.

03
Tacos Al Vapor El Canelo image 1

Small, unassuming taco stand offers takeout only with a simple bench outside for seating. Atmosphere feels like an authentic Mexican street food spot with delicious, flavorful tacos and standout habanero salsa. Cash-only policy and limited parking add to the straightforward, no-frills experience.

Food features authentic Mexican flavors with fresh ingredients and delicious sauces and pickles. Meals come quickly and at a low cost, pleasing even picky eaters.

Salsa here features habanero and green varieties with no red salsa option. The habanero salsa is spicy and flavorful, often served with tacos de cabeza and pork rind tacos made in a molcajete.

People are saying

"These tacos are delicious and I loved them."

"The food here is delicious and mouthwatering."

"I found the tacos to be very tasty with soft meat."

Good to know

1

Taco Tuesday offers a 2-for-1 deal on select tacos.

2

Only cash is accepted; no credit cards or mobile payments.

3

The establishment is takeout only with no dine-in options.

04
Jason's Tacos image 1
Taco restaurant

Taco truck with limited seating along its side offers a salsa and veggie bar featuring cucumber, pickled onions, and handmade sauces. Atmosphere is casual and straightforward, with quick service and no line. Known for flavorful meats and spicy salsa, it draws a crowd seeking authentic tacos al pastor and loaded carne asada fries.

Food arrives quickly, ready in less than 10 minutes with no line. Meats have rich flavor and hold up well without extra toppings. Drinks are tasty and the overall meal offers good value.

Salsa here is consistently spicy and flavorful, driving repeat visits. A salsa and veggie bar offers green, cuac, and red salsas plus fresh toppings like cucumber and pickled onions to load up your food.

People are saying

"I thought the pastor tacos here were great."

"I found the burritos to be delicious and satisfying."

"I thought the tacos here were a 10 out of 10."

Good to know

1

They only accept cash or Zelle for payments.

2

Food is ready in less than 10 minutes with no wait.

3

Prices are reasonable, with $29 for 13 tacos.

05
El Guero Tortas Ahogadas image 1
Mexican restaurant

Small, humble Mexican restaurant with a chill, casual vibe and clean, quiet atmosphere. Authentic tortas ahogadas and Jalisco-style salsa draw people seeking genuine flavors from Guadalajara. Offers both dine-in and takeout, with a focus on traditional dishes and delicious desserts.

Authentic Mexican food shines with torta ahogada and jericalla dessert standing out. The magic comes from the chili and bread that define the flavor.

Salsa offers an authentic Jalisco-style flavor that stands out. Chips and salsa come with some dishes, but availability varies, with bottles sometimes empty and chips not always served.

People are saying

"This Mexican food is authentic, especially the tortas ahogadas."

"The food here is delicious, especially the tortas ahogadas."

"The tortas ahogadas here are super delicious."

Good to know

1

Parking is available in the back and across the street.

2

The restaurant offers both takeout and dine-in options.

3

Combo meals include a taco dorado and a Torta Ahogada for $12.56 plus tax.

06
East Los Tacos image 1
Taco restaurant

Spacious seating with an industrial vibe and Blood In Blood Out murals creates a distinctive atmosphere. The place feels stuffy and warm despite large fans, and the self-serve condiment bar adds a casual touch. A mariachi trio occasionally performs, enhancing the lively environment.

Unique menu choices offer a fresh take on Mexican food with huge, shareable breakfast portions. The food is consistently delicious and reasonably priced, served in a clean, spacious dining area with friendly staff.

Extra salsa and guacamole come with orders. Service and price stand out alongside the unmatched salsa quality.

People are saying

"I was passionate about finding the perfect carne asada burrito."

"I thought the food here was good and delicious."

"The asada tacos were juicy, charred, and perfectly seasoned."

Good to know

1

Parking is limited at East Los Tacos, so arrive early.

2

Breakfast is served until 12:00.

3

A fundraiser for staff hired from the closed Pantry is on 4-26 during breakfast hours.

07
Taqueria El Atacor #8 image 1
Mexican restaurant

Small mom-and-pop Mexican restaurant with aged appearance and outdoor bench seating offers a quiet atmosphere. Open 24/7, it serves affordable tacos and burritos with fresh toppings and complimentary chips. Drive-thru access is through a side window behind the building.

Food comes with complimentary chips and offers good value. The menu has a large selection and the quality stays consistent with options adjusted on request.

Red and green salsas come in small cups and have bold flavors. The salsa Verde pairs well with the chicken wet burrito. Salsas and cheese add strong taste to the burritos.

People are saying

"I found the food here to be really good."

"You have to try the wet burrito; it's the best I ever had."

"I loved the potato tacos, they tasted so fresh."

Good to know

1

Taqueria El Atacor #8 is open 24 hours, making it a convenient late-night option.

2

Drive-thru access is available; order at the side window after circling the parking lot.

3

Tacos are priced at $2.75 each, with extra charges for double protein.

08
Tacos San Juditas image 1
Taco restaurant

Taco restaurant operates out of a rented house with food prepared fresh in front of customers. Atmosphere includes a busy line and a mix of authentic Mexican flavors highlighted by handmade tortillas and generous meat portions. The spot stands out for its authentic cecina tacos and variety of spicy salsas and guacamole.

Food features a lot of meat and handmade tortillas but often lacks seasoning and flavor. Preparation happens in a rented house, and wait times can be long, around 40 to 70 minutes total.

Green salsa with avocado stands out among the spicy salsas offered. The fixings table includes varieties of guacamole, golden onions, chilies, and cucumbers.

People are saying

"I thought the Mexican food here, especially the tacos, was delicious."

"I found the food delicious and worth every penny."

"The handmade tortillas are delicious and a good size."

Good to know

1

Expect long wait times during peak hours, especially on weekends.

2

Prices are affordable, with most tacos costing around $3 each.

3

Portions are generous and suitable for sharing.

09
Sergio's Tacos image 1
Mexican restaurant

Mexican restaurant with cozy interior and beautiful artwork on the walls offers a traditional fast-food diner vibe. The space includes a few tables inside, creating an intimate setting. The atmosphere is calm but can feel uneasy due to outside surroundings.

Food offers full of flavor dishes like carne asada, burritos, rice, beans, and red salsa. Prices stay reasonable while delivering consistently good taste.

Salsas here include a red salsa similar to King Taco's and a green salsa that stands out. Extra salsa comes with a charge, which is unusual compared to other visits.

People are saying

"I found the Mexican food, especially the tacos, to be delicious."

"The food here is delicious and full of flavor."

"I thought they should consider switching their meat supplier for the carne asada."

Good to know

1

The drive-through can be busy during peak hours.

2

There was no parking available.

3

The restaurant always looked clean during my visits.

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