greetings taco lovers!
I've been under the weather lately and my taco adventure took a backseat to thai lemongrass soup and halls mentho-lyptus. But I'm re-energized and back in the saddle again and on the taco trail to find the next great taco.
So I was in the mood for some carne asada and acting on a tip I recieved via email I headed to Chanos on Figueroa near downtown LA. Chanos is a place I've driven by often but have never stopped to check out. It's a local hangout for USC students and has a reputation for good quick mexican food. They also have burgers and pastrami on the menu but I came for the asada tacos.
My tacos came with juicy strips of seasoned skirt steak, pico de gallo and a light guacamole salsa on top of a two large corn tortillas. On the side I had cups of salsa roja which I liberally spread over the tacos.
The juicy steak and the light guacamole salsa were the perfect compliment to the spicy salsa roja. The salsa roja had alot of kick to it and made me reach for that cold beverage more than once. Although these tacos were $1.50 each they were big tacos and came with a lot of fixings and were well worth the price.
There is an addictive quality to these tacos. I'm not sure if it's the charred strips of asada or the spicy salsa roja but there is some magic going on between the soft corn tortillas.
If you're ever in the area and in the mood for carne asada tacos I highly reccomend Chanos. If you're too lazy to get out of your car they even have a drive thru.
Chanos is at 3000 S Figueroa 90007 , Tacos $1.50 each
That was probably one of my USC duders who recommended it. Anyhow, the best time to go to Chanos is after midnight, although the local homeless can be kinda frisky.
ReplyDeleteBandini glad your back. You forgot your rating! How many tacos for Chanos?
ReplyDeleteHi Bandini - Nice to have a new post! Funny thing - that salsa reminded me of Sriracha for some reason!
ReplyDeleteslightlyslack,
ReplyDeletei think frisky homeless comes with the territory when on a taco hunt
paliman,
thanks for reminding me...3 1/2 tacos but after a few cold ones I can see these being 4 star.
kirk,
yeah it was similiar to sriracha except not as tangy. I think sriracha has habaneros and cayenne peppers. I think this salsa had chile arbols.
Thanks Bandini for exposing that ratty list for what it is. I've been to some of those places and would have given them the "taco guano" rating if I were a mean kinda guy.
ReplyDeleteKeep the standards high.
TacoGator - LA Taco Review
A couple of comments. First off, _great_ site. I plan on visiting a number of these spots. For readers visiting Chanos, I highly recommend the nacho plate w/carne asada. I know this is a taco site, but for me the big draw of Chanos over the last eight or so years has been the nacho plate. Also highly recommended is the special quesadilla w/pastrami.
ReplyDeleteSecond, you may want to check out La Taquiza across the street from Chanos. They're known more for burritos but I've always liked their tacos.
Keep up the great work!
I just got an al pastor burrito from Chanos and it was the sorriest excuse for pastor I've ever had. For one thing, half of the meat in it was asada; for another, I think it had half a pound of lard in it.
ReplyDeleteIf you're going to Chanos, stick with the asada. Avoid the pig.
This comment has been removed by a blog administrator.
ReplyDeleteIt took me four years of frequent visits to figure this out, but the best thing at Chanos is the chorizo burrito -- and make sure to get it with cheese.
ReplyDeleteI second two post made above.
ReplyDeleteThe Chorizo burrito is definitely the best burrito. Cheese is a must, but be prepared for some serious breakfast.
Also, the nachos are clearly the specialty. Seriously weighing at well over a pound, they are easily enough for two.
I've only tried the carne asada tacos once or twice at Chano's, and found them to be just, meh.
ReplyDeleteBut those nachos with carne asada...! Chano's does not skimp on the good gooey stuff (cheese, beans, guacamole) or the carne. Make sure to ask for extra napkins and a fork.
and don't forget the cherry coke to go along with the carne asada nachos. heaven.
ReplyDeleteI have been eating at Chano's for a long time, even before it was Chano's. As a matter of fact, it was once known as Manny's El Loco, (not sure if part of the other Manny's). I have tasted most of their food and have to agree that the tacos are very good. I personally enjoy their taco salad with their shredded beef. Of course you can not ever go wrong with adding extra meat to the already loaded lettuce tomato and cheese. Definitely a place to eat after dark.
ReplyDeleteViva Chanos! This place is heaven. I am a proud Trojan, and I literally watched the drive through kid grow up through my own eyes. When I was a freshman, he had to be no older than 11 years old. Anyways, heres to you Chanos kid!! My recommendation, get really wasted and try their chili cheese fries with two carne asada tacos, with an orange bang. You feel it the next day, but for that hour before bed youll be in pure Chano heaven.
ReplyDeleteIt's been 10 + years since I left USC. THe only 2 things I miss are the riots and the bean and cheese double wrap at mannys (it was called Chanos back then, but everyone still called it Manny's)
ReplyDeleteHere's a fun little nugget of information: the drive through at Chano's opens onto the wrong side of your vehicle. In other words, bring a friend or it's a pain in the butt to get your taco.
ReplyDeletefor something different, try the chile relleno burrito. Delicioso.
ReplyDeletechanos in baldwin park is nasty. the place hardly ever gets customers and when i went there, they were some of the worst tacos i had ever tasted in my life
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