SOUTH

Tacos El Banquetazo is ready for action, set up with a giant, tricked-out travel trailer at the southeast corner of Alondra Park every night. Outside the park's fence, it turns into a literal night market, sometimes featuring BBQ demi-dieu Bart'z. However, El Banquetazo reigns supreme with the pastor spit spinning and a young woman pressing fresh tortillas in the back

Across the street from 16805 Prairie Ave, Lawndale, CA

Tacos $2 they except Zelle 

Most weeknights and all day during the weekend, a lively night market takes place in the vicinity of the 110, just north of Long Beach. In my opinion, the highlight of the market is Tacos Guelaguetza, where a fast-moving line snakes from PCH up to Fig as we wait for that savory combination of caramelized cheese and crispy meat. The salsa bar offers a variety of pickled peppers and onions that truly enhance the flavors. However, I must caution you about the yellow sauce - I'm unsure of its ingredients, but it may have adverse effects, especially on elderly white women.

There are plenty of savory meat options available at this place (unfortunately, no carnitas). However, if you're craving pork, the pastor with pineapple is a winner, and the asada doesn't disappoint either. But my personal favorite is the Suadero, which is thinly sliced beef from the breastbone. It tastes amazing after a few seconds on the grill. I'm not a fan of burritos, but the ones served here are massive, with a side covered in fast-melting cheese. Not for the faint of heart.

Tacoqueso $3 Burrito $10
Pacific Coast Highway and Figueroa Street
5848 Melrose Ave 

323-984-6383

Between an entrance and an exit to the 110 (damn, all these reviews are going to start with a 110 reference) in a parking lot, sits a truck with a pastor spit under a tent nearby. I learned about this truck from a guest in my car during a ride-share. When a custodian at an old folks home heads here after a twelve-hour shift, I usually sign off work and enjoy a few tacos myself.

They were out of chorizo and carnitas last night. I ordered a QuesaTaco with suadero and a taco with Birria De Res. I found it interesting that each taco was made with a different tortilla. These tortillas gave off a rustic homemade feeling that I appreciate. The quesataco was more like a quesadilla than a taco, and I thought something was missing from that delicate breast meat with how crunchy it all got. The Birria taco left me wanting some spice and I wished this tortilla was a little crispier lol you can't win with me.

The salsa bar was decent but looked a little picked over for 9 pm. The pickled onions had a good uniform deep purple, with a crushed, unidentifiable orange pepper in the cambro for flavor and contrast. Sauces and salsas were normal, with nothing really hot or spicy standing out.

Qeusataco $4 Taco $3
803 S Figueroa St in parking lot
323-407-5411

As the sun rises over the city of Wilmington, barely audible over the sound of rushing cars is the hammering of cooked meats with a large cleaver. On the busy corner of Fig & PCH Carnitas El Vale serves up all your pork needs. A giant glass tank sits between the grill and the row of aqua frescas, its contents thick chunks of crispy Chicharron.

Pacific Coast Highway and Figueroa Street