Got a tip via email to check out Carnitas Michoacan in Lincoln Heights. Having been to carnitas michoacan #2 in Van Nuys I wasn't sure if the two were related but was interested in finding out.
Lincoln Heights is a taco haven and checking my little black taco book I noticed four other destinations in the area on my to do list. Luck would have it that Carnitas Michoacan was the first taqueria to come into sight when I turned on to Broadway ave.
I ordered asada and al pastor. Even though carnitas seemed like an obvious choice I couldn't resist sampling some of the pork from the al pastor spit. It's one of my rules of thumb when ordering tacos. If there's an al pastor spit I skip the carnitas and order al pastor and vice versa if there isn't.
My tacos came with onions, cilantro and a smokey salsa negra. The first thing I realized was that these tacos were much better than the tacos at carnitas michoacan #2. The salsa was just as advertised and I couldn't get enough of it. I actually could have drank the salsa by itself it was that good.A great salsa can really make or break a taco but the meats with these tacos were so tender and juicy that the salsa just added to the overall taste explosion. The meats were prepared wonderfully, the asada charred and tasty and the al pastor tender and soaked in spices and carmalized onions.
I'm running out of ways to describe great tacos and I feel like I often repeat myself but these tacos were so good I wanted to get up and do the peanut butter jelly time dance
They are open 24 hours so you can get your taco fix at any hour of the night. I work downtown so it's a convenient taco run for me during my lunch hour and I will definetly be returning to carnitas michoacan.
Carnitas Michoacan is at 817 N Broadway, Lincoln Heights. Tacos are $1.15 each
Hi Bandini - sounds great. Tell me, do they sell carnitas by "section"? That is you can get macizas(I think it's like below the rib), skin, leg, or other parts of the pig?
ReplyDeleteDude, those asadas are rockin'!
ReplyDeletekirk,
ReplyDeletenot sure but they do sell the intestine so I'm sure they have the rest of the puerco
I'm gonna try the carnitas next time and i'll find out about macizas.
very interesting. my all time faves are the la estrella trucks in highland park. their al pastor is rich with flavor. definitely differnt than what most of us know to be al pastor...not of the spit variety..instead, tender shredded marinated pork similar..almostl ike a pork pot roast?! their red chile is the best.
ReplyDeleteHey Bandini:
ReplyDeleteUp in Klamath Falls some folks make a taco de pollo con muchas little pieces of horseradish. Is that an LA thing? I've never seen it anywhere else in the US or Mexico.
The al pastor burrito here is weepy good.
ReplyDeleteMy friend, you are living the life.
ReplyDelete'find something you love and enoy the hell out of it'
I don't know if somebody has said that before, but who cares?
I gotta go find some tacos now.
Thanks,
hmmm, tacos in LA? lemme think here for a second. ummm......hmmmm..... you must be kidding me. You're not are you? wow. Yuca's on Hillhurst is the best taco in all of LA. the fact that it's not on your list makes me ill. i think i hate you
ReplyDeleteHoly carne asasdas!. Thanks so much Bandini. Found your site mentioned on DailyKos.........sooo happy to find you. I live 700 miles away from LA and now have a reason to make the journey. A vacation made up of taco truck visits comming up
ReplyDeleteJose
You forgot the chicken mole tacos at Machos Tacos, corner of Vermont and Hollywood in Los Feliz... sublime!
ReplyDeleteOn Lankershim & Sherman Way there are two Michoucans'. Love all meat Beef Linguea Burritto, its only couple of bucks & over pound of food. Best food in whole world. El Norte' Hollywood.
ReplyDeleteSigned:PHYSICIAN THOMAS STEWART VON DRASHEK M.D.
PS: Just because I'm German dosn't mean I only eat roadkill.
YESS i love teh asada tacos here. i tell everyone to me are the best asada tacos i ever had!! good job u!! u rock mang!
ReplyDeleteTHE BEST HANDS DOWN!
ReplyDeleteMEXICO CHIQUITO IN MAYWOOD CA.(BY THE CITY OF BELL) ON SLAUSON AVE. JUST WEST OF ATLANTIC HAS THE BEST SIMPLE TACOS, BURRITOS AND MENUDO IN L.A.
MISSING IT VERY MUCH HERE IN HOUSTON.
HI JOSE!
This comment has been removed by a blog administrator.
ReplyDeleteIs this the one right off the 5 fwy?
ReplyDeleteOr is there another one in Lincoln Heights?
I thought the address was
1901 N Broadway
Los Angeles, CA 90031
(323) 224-9044
I love the black salsa too! Keep up the good work.
James Says...
ReplyDeleteYou guys should try the All Beef Carne Asada Burritos and Nachos Especial with a Large Horchata on the side.... This place is Kickin' SON!
These are hands down the best carne asada tacos I have had and I have tried many on Bandini's list. The come out packed with flavor. The meat is a little charred the the salsa is kickin'. This it the place that got me hooked to tacos and to this blog. Keep up the good work Bandini!! (08/07/07)
ReplyDeleteBandini,
ReplyDeleteI got the super secret Lincoln Heights tip for you. Diego's Taqueria on Pasadena. I can't describe it, it's a religious experience, but please go and partake in the sublime beauty. Carne, pastor, lengua, carnitas, chorizo, lengua, sesos, you name it. It's all there, cooking in the same oily stew. Tacos to weaken your knees. Burritos will make you hallucinate. I don't joke.
Our Family has been going there for years. Our tradition before or after a Dodger game, is to order the Nachos Especial ( i prefer asada). I can't express how good the Nachos are at this place. No nonsense is the best way to describe them. No beans or other add-ons you find at most Mexican spots. Just pure freshly cooked marinated meat, restaurant style chips and real nacho cheese, not the grated kind. If you want throw in some Jalapenos on the side. Just plain delicious.
ReplyDeleteI had the Al Pastor burrito and it was really good! I usually don't like beans in my burrito but this one had just the right amount and the rice was so flavorful.
ReplyDeleteThe al pastor burrito is absurdly good here. So good that it temporarily stops my whining about the burritos in LA. BTW, this is the perfect place to stop on your way to Dodger Stadium.
ReplyDeleteBandini,
ReplyDeleteI got the super secret Lincoln Heights tip for you. Diego's Taqueria on Pasadena. I can't describe it, it's a religious experience, but please go and partake in the sublime beauty. Carne, pastor, lengua, carnitas, chorizo, lengua, sesos, you name it. It's all there, cooking in the same oily stew. Tacos to weaken your knees. Burritos will make you hallucinate. I don't joke.
James Says...
ReplyDeleteYou guys should try the All Beef Carne Asada Burritos and Nachos Especial with a Large Horchata on the side.... This place is Kickin' SON!
Is this the one right off the 5 fwy?
ReplyDeleteOr is there another one in Lincoln Heights?
I thought the address was
1901 N Broadway
Los Angeles, CA 90031
(323) 224-9044
I love the black salsa too! Keep up the good work.
YESS i love teh asada tacos here. i tell everyone to me are the best asada tacos i ever had!! good job u!! u rock mang!
ReplyDeleteJust a little history, Carnitas Michoacan was first opened in February of 1977, the first location is at 1901 N. Broadway st Los Angeles, Ca 90031. There is absolutely no relation with any of the other locations with the same name, make no mistake , theres only one ORIGINAL Carnitas Michoacan 1901 N Broadway
ReplyDeletest L.A 90031.