LOS ANGELES | Famous taco joint Guisados has several locations across Los Angeles these days. The first one I visited was the Echo Park outpost. There’s something special, though, about the Boyle Heights hole in the wall where it all started. Despite its expansion, Guisados has managed to keep the quality of its product high. The tacos here are considered by many to be amongst the best in LA and for good reason. Guisados translates as “stews” and the slow stewed meats here are tender, full of flavor, and form the basis of the best dishes here.
The tacos, which feature deliciously thick, made-to-order, corn masa tortillas feature variety of fillings. Highlights include the tinga de pollo (shredded chicken breast braised with tomatoes, cabbage, chorizo, chipotle, chipotle chile, and avocado), mole poblano (shredded chicken breast in a nutty Poblano style mole with with sour cream, queso fresco, red onion, and dried chile) and cochinita pibil (shredded pork cooked in a sweet, red achiote spice atop black beans, served with Yucatan compliments, pickled red onions and habanero chile).
Our suggestion is to go for the tasting plate, which gives you six mini versions of Guisados’ most popular tacos. The flavours here aren’t toned down, and all of the tacos are served with a medium level of spiciness. If you’re not a fan of heat, you can order all tacos without chilli, apart from the heat fiend favourite, the chiles toreados. Wash it all down with a tasty aqua frescas – our favourite is the Jamaica (hibiscus iced tea) and Horchata (cinnamon rice milk).
Reasonably priced delicious tacos in a space that oozes character – you can’t go wrong.
For another tip in the area, also check out George’s Burger Stand up the road. It’s a revamped Boyle Heights institution, owned by the same family that started and own Guisados.
Guisados
2100 E Cesar E Chavez Avenue
Los Angeles
California 90033
United States
Telephone: 323 264 7201
E-mail: [email protected]
Website
Open
Mon – Thu: 9:00am to 8:00pm
Fri – Sat: 9:00am to 9:00pm
Sun: 9:00am to 7:30pm