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Salsa and Mexican food in Highland Park

Made for those who judge the integrity of a meal entirely by the quality of the house-made salsa.

Based on 678 Opinions
+675
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Updated May 2026
01
Carnal Cocina Artesanal image 1
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Mexican restaurant

Small Mexican restaurant offers authentic Oaxacan cuisine with a casual BYOB dining hall vibe and modern cozy ambiance. Dishes arrive on traditional ceramic plates, enhancing the cultural experience. The place feels like a hidden gem with unique flavors and a relaxed, unpretentious atmosphere.

Mole stands out with its rich chocolate flavor and fresh handmade tortillas to soak it up. Dishes like Aztec Duck with cactus jelly and Lengua a la Veracruzana with crispy beef tongue highlight authentic Mexican flavors.

Salsas here bring wonderful flavor and pair well with dishes like chilaquiles and hollandaise with salsa macha. Every salsa tastes fantastic and complements the food and earthen dishware nicely.

People are saying

"The food here is authentic with bold, unique flavors."

"The Mexican food's chilaquiles have a wonderful salsa flavor."

"The salsa in the chilaquiles had a wonderful flavor."

Good to know

1

There is a $10 BYOB fee for bringing your own alcohol.

2

Reservations are recommended due to the small size of the restaurant.

3

Free parking is available in the lot behind the restaurant.

02
Chico's Restaurant ๐Ÿ‡ฒ๐Ÿ‡ฝ image 1

Cozy Mexican diner with street art mural outside and a quiet, homey atmosphere inside. Offers authentic, flavorful dishes including standout vegetarian options and generous wine margaritas. Dining area tends to be calm and slow-paced, suitable for relaxed meals.

Vegetarian burrito and potato taquitos stand out as fresh and flavorful options. The salsa is very hot and pairs well with top notch guacamole and fresh Pico de Gallo that is a bit smoky and medium spicy.

Salsa comes fresh and spicy, with a smoky red variety standing out. It pairs well with chips and flour tortillas, serving as a solid appetizer included in meals.

People are saying

"I found the food here to be delicious and authentic."

"The salsa here is fresh, spicy, and super yummy."

"I thought the vegetarian burrito was the best I'd ever had."

Good to know

1

The restaurant offers vegetarian and vegan options upon request.

2

Parking is available in a small lot next door.

3

Expect a busy atmosphere during dinner hours, especially on weekends.

03
Villa's Tacos #3 image 1
Mexican restaurant

Outdoor seating near train tracks features vivid murals and palm trees, creating a lively, sunlit atmosphere. Loud music fills the space, adding to the energetic vibe but making conversation challenging. Limited seating centers around a single picnic table, attracting a casual crowd who enjoy unique, seafood-focused tacos.

Seafood tacos stand out with No Soy Pulpo and wild shrimp options that are fresh and flavorful. The blue corn tortilla and unique guacamole add tasty twists, while vegetarian tacos with sweet potato and mushroom offer variety.

Green salsa and pineapple habanero salsa bring spicy heat and sweetness to tacos. Creamy cilantro salsa likely uses cashew cream for richness. Salsa macha adds extra heat and flavor to dishes.

People are saying

"The seafood tacos here are delicious and fresh."

"You have to try the shrimp and fish tacos; they're delicious."

"The seafood tacos, especially the shrimp and pulpo, were so fresh and flavorful."

Good to know

1

Villa's Tacos #3 specializes in seafood tacos.

2

The restaurant is only open four days a week.

3

There is limited seating with only one picnic table available.

04
El Pique Taco Truck image 1
Mexican restaurant

Taco truck parked next to a car wash offers affordable, filling Mexican food with a spicy red salsa that stands out. The atmosphere is casual and consistent, with a few regulars and short lines. It has a long-standing presence in the neighborhood, known for vegetarian and carnitas burritos.

Carne asada tacos stand out as a signature item, alongside stacked carnitas burritos loaded with meat and cheese. Vegetarian options like the veggie quesadilla and burrito come with excellent red salsa, while drinks include tasty horchata and Champurrado.

Red salsa stands out with a rich, vibrant flavor. Burritos come with lime, salsa, and radishes on the side, enhancing the taste experience.

People are saying

"Their carne asada tacos and carnitas burritos are the best."

"I loved the red salsa here."

"I thought the carne asada tacos were the best I ever had."

Good to know

1

The taco truck has been parked at York and Avenue 53 for over a decade.

2

Expect minimal wait times; I never encountered a line longer than a few people.

3

During the day, ask for no lettuce when ordering the veggie quesadilla.

05
Carnitas Y Chicharrones El Gallo image 1

Humble setup with friendly staff serves generously portioned tacos and pork by the pound. Rich, smoky aroma fills the air while cooks fry pork in a large bubbling cauldron. A condiments bar offers an exceptional mix of toppings, creating a lively, authentic Mexican street food vibe.

Tacos come loaded with huge portions of tender carnitas on warm, fresh tortillas topped with onions, cilantro, and lime. The flavorful, juicy meat follows traditional Michoacan recipes, delivering authentic Mexican street food taste at a great value.

A whole table of toppings and buckets of salsa offer plenty of choices. The selection includes excellent escabeche alongside nice salsas.

People are saying

"These tacos are huge and packed with flavorful carnitas."

"The carnitas and chicharrones here are the best Mexican food I've had."

"You have to try their carnitas; it's the best I ever had."

Good to know

1

The place is only open on weekends.

2

Expect long wait times as they run out of food quickly.

3

Tacos cost $4 each and are generously portioned.

06
Viva Taco Azteca image 1
Mexican restaurant

Mexican restaurant offers late hours with hot, fresh food and reasonable prices. The space includes a side ledge for comfortable eating and maintains a very clean environment. Meat options like Buche, Lengua, Cabeza, and Pastor stand out for quality and flavor.

Tacos feature perfect seasoning with meat options like Buche, Lengua, Cabeza, and Pastor standing out. Burritos, quesadillas, and salsas offer great value and solid flavor across the board.

Salsas here are delicious and come with a cost for extra servings. They used to offer salsas outside but no longer do.

People are saying

"The Mexican food tacos here are really tasty."

"This late-night quesadilla really hits the spot after running wild."

"I thought the tacos here were really good."

Good to know

1

Viva Taco Azteca accepts credit cards, not just cash.

2

There is parking available in the lot or on the street.

3

They are open late with hot, fresh food.

07
La Fuente Restaurant image 1
Mexican restaurant

Mexican restaurant with solid character and available parking lot behind the building. Atmosphere remains authentic despite recent management changes and menu adjustments. Known for great tacos and burritos, it offers a casual dining experience with some menu items standing out for flavor.

Pozole and chilaquiles stand out with rich flavors. Burritos like the burrito de lengua and lengua tacos come highly recommended, alongside dishes smothered in salsa verde and the birria de chivo.

Pico de gallo and deep red salsa taste very good. Chips and salsa come from a bag and plastic pitcher now, and are no longer free. Waitstaff offer more salsa but charge $3.15 for a small bowl.

People are saying

"The Mexican food here is seasoned perfectly and consistently amazing."

"I loved the delicious Mexican food here."

"The salsa here is very tasty and gives a good first impression."

Good to know

1

There is a parking lot behind the restaurant.

2

Prices have increased recently.

3

The old menu is soon to be revised.

08
El Huarache Azteca ๐Ÿ‡ฒ๐Ÿ‡ฝ image 1

Simple, clean space with busy kitchen activity and casual, no-frills dining. Atmosphere stays relaxed despite loud radio commercials indoors and outdoor seating that some find unpleasant. Popular spot for authentic Mexican food with flavorful huaraches and tacos.

Tacos and sopes stand out with authentic flavors and fresh, homestyle preparation. The red and green salsas offer perfect spice and a tangy kick that complement dishes like barbacoa and huithlacoche well.

Salsas offer a perfectly spiced red with real heat and a tangy green that adds nice heat without overpowering. Chips and salsa come together as a flavorful, spicy combo worth seeking out.

People are saying

"I found the food here to be delicious and authentic."

"Their huaraches are huge, piled high with meat, beans, and cheese."

"Their Mexican food huaraches are huge and piled high with meat."

Good to know

1

There is only street parking available.

2

The restaurant accepted only cash.

3

The place is small with limited seating.

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Highland Park, Los Angeles

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