I needed to take a break from eating tacos. Dont get me wrong, I love tacos but I needed some space. I love tacos but I'm not in love with them. I prefer to play around. I used to be loyal to King Taco but since this taco hunt started I havn't been back to King Taco. I still love King Taco but I want to see what else is out there and I hope King Taco takes me back after this taco journey.
So I was in the mood for some carnitas and headed to Casa Diaz, a taqueria in Los Feliz on hollywood blvd. Los Feliz has it's share of taco competition. There is Yuca's on Hillhurst, a favorite of chowhounds citywide and a favorite of your humble taco correspondent as well. There's also a taco stand called Machos Tacos and a Dos Burritos.
Casa Diaz is a family owned taqueria with a menu of tacos, burritos, tamales and other mexican fare. I ordered three carnitas tacos and a rice horchata.
As far as the carnitas...Wow. Most carnitas is your standard shredded pork with not much kicked up flavor but this was different. The pork was juicy and seasoned and packed with flavor. The tacos also came with a light guacamole as well as a smokey salsa roja. The guacamole was subtle and complimented the strong flavors from the shredded pork just right and the salsa roja added a little bite to the taco. Neither salsa overwhelmed the real star of the taco which was the carnitas.
I can't wait to get back to Casa Diaz. There is a quality to these tacos that makes you crave them and the juicy shredded pork has changed my perceptions of what carnitas can be. This may be the best carnitas I've had.
Casa Diaz 4666 Hollywood Blvd Los Feliz 90027. Tacos are $1.25 each
Looking forward to trying Casa Diaz. Thanks for the wonderful recommendations!!!
ReplyDeletePerhaps you might consider having a running 'Top 5' of places you frequent or maybe a series of 'Taco Wars' where you pit your fave places in a hypothetical showdown for ultimate taco supremacy.
ReplyDeleteA few years back, I think this place rebranded themselves as "La Chupacabra Tacos". I'm glad to hear they came to their senses and aren't flash-in-the-pans.
ReplyDeleteA few years back, I think this place rebranded themselves as "La Chupacabra Tacos". I'm glad to hear they came to their senses and aren't flash-in-the-pans.
ReplyDeletejoe
ReplyDeleteI could do that but El Parian would win everytime.
I think i'll have an end of the year taco award post tho.
I know this is about Tacos, but...Casa Diaz has outrageously delicious chile relleno burritos. Is there a chile relleno blog I don't know about?
ReplyDeletecasa diaz has a great tostada salad which is actually a real small version, but is definitely worth it. 2 is more than enough for one person...
ReplyDeleteThey are really nice at Casa Diaz. I asked about the Mole sauce once and they brought out a little plate of chips w/ sauce for me to sample it. Their salsa could be spicier however.
ReplyDeleteCasa Diaz is a great place to eat. They are all really nice and it feels like you are at home. Casa Diaz's owners are not the previous owners of the Chupacabra restaurant. FYI: Mole means sauce in Nahuatl, so please do not say mole sauce, because you are being redundant, sauce sauce? Ah no! Their mole burrito is really delicious though.
ReplyDeleteIt was indeed La Taqueria El Chupacabras" previously, but that was a different owner (I still have a T shirt). The location lay fallow for many months before Senor Diaz y familia came in and saved me. I think it's the best taco in LA, but their burritos are not as spectacular.
ReplyDeleteI think Casa Diaz makes the best Torta I have ever had.
ReplyDeleteAs of May 10, Casa Diaz is "Yuca's on Hollywood!" Yes, they've been taken over by the Yuca's team and promise to bring their cochinita pibil along with them. I had an amazing plate of tacos the other day, the carnitas being possibly the best I've ever had: crispy, juicy and full of flavor.
ReplyDeletebooo! Casa Diaz was my absolute favorite delightful secret spot in all of the neighborhood. Yucca's sucks sorry to say compared tot he love that went into each meal headed up by the most noble Senor Diaz.
ReplyDeletehas anyone heard from senor diaz ?
ReplyDeletemiss them
closed for years now but i just found myself googling for casa diaz just to find a picture of their tacos. love made the difference and put this place over the top as my fav. place in the city.
ReplyDeletebooo! Casa Diaz was my absolute favorite delightful secret spot in all of the neighborhood. Yucca's sucks sorry to say compared tot he love that went into each meal headed up by the most noble Senor Diaz.
ReplyDeletehas anyone heard from senor diaz ?
ReplyDeletemiss them
Perhaps you might consider having a running 'Top 5' of places you frequent or maybe a series of 'Taco Wars' where you pit your fave places in a hypothetical showdown for ultimate taco supremacy.
ReplyDeleteThey are really nice at Casa Diaz. I asked about the Mole sauce once and they brought out a little plate of chips w/ sauce for me to sample it. Their salsa could be spicier however.
ReplyDelete