Out of all the taco trucks in Highland Park the one that is recomended to me most often would have to be La Estrella. The al pastor is talked about in glowing terms and La Estrella's legend reaches farther than the boundaries of this east side community.
There are three La Estrella locations in highland park. I went to the taco hut at Figueroa and ave 61 first. This location is open 24 hours and besides your standard mexican fare also serves ceviche and seafood cocktails. Having been to this hut once before and enjoyed the carne asada I was curious to try the al pastor after so many recomendations.
The al pastor was shredded with soft carmalized onions. The texture of the pork reminded me more of carnitas than al pastor but it tasted great so I wasn't too bothered.The sauteed pork was soft and tender with a rustic salsa roja with some spice.The roja had a little kick to it but i'm so used to the hot stuff that I don't even reach for my lime jarritos anymore unless it's some homer simpson hot pepper shit.
After finishing my tacos I drove to the La Estrella taco truck at York and Ave 54 to compare the two. I found a blue truck parked on a lot with a big sign and tables and chairs.
I ordered the al pastor again and was pleased to find out the quality measured up with the tacos at the Figueroa location. It was hard to tell the difference but the pork had a stronger flavor. The shredded texture of the pork and salsa roja were the same but there were more charred bits of pork at the truck which made the taco better.
So the verdict is that La Estrella makes a great pork taco. I'll be back to try the asada and to also try some of the other trucks I saw in the area.
Highland Park is the taco capitol of Los Angeles and this taco reporter is just getting started. Only after I sample every taco truck in this eastside city will I be able to call myself a taco conquistador.
La Estrella is at 6310 N Figueroa. La Estrella taco truck is at York and Ave 54. tacos $1 each
Rate La Estrella Taco Truck- Highland Park
glad to see you finally venturing to the east :P you could also try el pique which is right next to la estrella the truck - i love it.
ReplyDeletehey gulpie
ReplyDeletegood to hear from you again
I've tried el pique :P
they are in the on deck circle
and thanks again for all your recomendations
oh i forgot to mention cheo's truck in el sereno. it's on mission st. and bullard. thurs. - sun. nites 6-midnite. my pleasure senor taco conquistador. =)
ReplyDeleteGreat site you got here. I'm moving to the LA area (Glendale, specifically) from Tucson very soon, so I'll be on the lookout for good Mexican food. I'm more of a burrito man myself, but you've shown me the light. I'll be sure to try some of these tasty tacos as per your reccomendations.
ReplyDeleteIs this La Estrella connected to the one in Pasadena?
ReplyDeletejeni
ReplyDeletegood question...I wasn't aware of a La Estrella in Pasadena.
do you know where it parks? or is it a taco hut?
it is. i'm shooting a short documentary film on taco trucks in highland park, and i interviewed one of the vendors of la estrella, and the pasadena one is theirs too.
ReplyDeleteJust reading about the La Estrella in Pasadena. There seems to be two...one on Fair Oaks and the other one is on Orange Grove. Both are usually pretty busy.
ReplyDeleteI went to the York/Ave 54 one tonight. The pastor was a bit on the strange side--certainly plenty juicy, but a bit lacking in the flavor I've come to take for granted from El Pecas (Olympic/La Brea). The asada, though...DAMN. Perfect texture, perfect taste. Dudes can cook some beef.
ReplyDeleteThere's another Tacos la Estrella on Lorena just south of Whittier Blvd. Those tacos are bigger than most places, $1 and great for those nights when you're working off a buzz and need something to eat.
ReplyDeleteI eat at la Estrella all the time and it is not the all about the al pastor. It's all about the the fish and shrimp tacos. I also have another favorite that is in cerrtios called Tacos San Pedro. Mmmmm, The best asada and the fluatas fly out the building I believe it is of of pioneer and carson. Great site man as i am a Taco hunter myself.
ReplyDeletegrowing up in highland park and going to school at franklin hs just a couple of blocks away i lived on the tacos and burritos at the york and ave 54 location. now that i'm stranded at university in irvine i miss their food so much. i'm glad you enjoyed the food.
ReplyDeletenothing beats the la estrella taco truck on york. but i live closer to pasadena and there is a sitdown restaurant on foothill and altadena. i asked the lady there and she said they are connected to the truck in highland park. since then i have noticed a few more la estrella trucks and restaurants in the pasadena area. someone told me they have or used to have a truck on or near fairoaks and union.
ReplyDeletei love la estrella and its all thanks to this blog. thanks bandini.
great site...when are you coming down to Long Beach? We have a few places here that are solid.
ReplyDeleteI eat at the HP/Figueroa location alot.... its the best! The burritos are awesome and the tacos are to die for.... does anyone know if the "Trucks" cater parties? Having one at the end of the month and would LOVE to have a taco truck cater the event!!
ReplyDeleteThis place has some of THE BEST tacos, bar-none, in LA! I grew up eating authentic Mexican food at home and only discovered La Estrella in Highland Park about 5 years ago. It has never disappointed. The tacos de carne asada are delectable and they make carnitas better than most any place (which isn't always so easy to find). You won't be disappointed by this little hole in the wall place.
ReplyDeleteA friend recommended Estrella to me, he lives down the street. The first 5 times were great! Truly Yummy! But the last 2 times the lady told me that they had no jalapenos. At first I shrugged it off but again last week, no mas! Is it me or do they not want to serve my kind, Racist Taco? I gonna give York & 54th Street one last try, hope my gut feeling is wrong!
ReplyDeleteLa Estrella at Ave 54 and York is the best!
ReplyDeleteA friend recommended Estrella to me, he lives down the street. The first 5 times were great! Truly Yummy! But the last 2 times the lady told me that they had no jalapenos. At first I shrugged it off but again last week, no mas! Is it me or do they not want to serve my kind, Racist Taco? I gonna give York & 54th Street one last try, hope my gut feeling is wrong!
ReplyDeletegreat site...when are you coming down to Long Beach? We have a few places here that are solid.
ReplyDeleteThere's another Tacos la Estrella on Lorena just south of Whittier Blvd. Those tacos are bigger than most places, $1 and great for those nights when you're working off a buzz and need something to eat.
ReplyDeleteJust reading about the La Estrella in Pasadena. There seems to be two...one on Fair Oaks and the other one is on Orange Grove. Both are usually pretty busy.
ReplyDeleteGreat site you got here. I'm moving to the LA area (Glendale, specifically) from Tucson very soon, so I'll be on the lookout for good Mexican food. I'm more of a burrito man myself, but you've shown me the light. I'll be sure to try some of these tasty tacos as per your reccomendations.
ReplyDeleteI went to the York/Ave 54 one tonight. The pastor was a bit on the strange side--certainly plenty juicy, but a bit lacking in the flavor I've come to take for granted from El Pecas (Olympic/La Brea). The asada, though...DAMN. Perfect texture, perfect taste. Dudes can cook some beef.
ReplyDeletethey were extremely good untill they changed their salsa's befor the salsa roja tasted exactly like king tacos and now its different i aint feeling it anymore it threw off the flavors of the tacos and burritios
ReplyDelete