
After hearing that Taqueria Chihuahua was being forced out of their current location by SONY/BMG(who owns the property) I was saddened that a great taqueria would be no longer . But it turns out they are moving to another location on the westside and although it must be hard to move out of a location they have been at for some 30 years I'm sure the Banda family will continue their tradition of great food wherever they go.
I love the bean and cheese burrito at Taqueria Chiahuahua. They come with the right amount of cheese and the refried beans are restaurant quality delicious. Over the years I've tried everything on the menu from the burritos Pancho villa style(enchilada sauce and cheese on top)to the enchiladas,nachos and tacos. Locals rave about the nachos norteno and burrito de chile colorado Pancho Villa style.
I was doing some taco reporting however so I skipped the burrito and ordered a carne asada taco, a carnitas and an al pastor taco. They also have lengua, buche,cabeza and chicharon.You can order a taco combo plate for 5 bucks and sample three of their meats or get your tacos sans any arroz y frijoles for $1 each.
The carnitas was the first to go down and the soft pork went well with a generous squeeze of lime and the smooth salsa roja. There was alot of juice from the meat that made the tortilla a little soggy but it held together just fine and I finished off the taco with a gulp from my lime jarritos.

carnitas taco
I went for the al pastor next and bit into the crunchy bits of salted pork and carmilized onions. The pork wasn't from an al pastor spit so don't expect to be overwhelmed but there were no fatty bits and the roja went well with the meat and onions to make for an enjoyable taco.

As far as the asada there's a heavy pepper flavor to the soft and tender meat that goes well with the grilled tortillas. I like to add a cup of the roja and let the salsa and the peppered beef fuse together. The salsa roja is excellent and isn't too spicy but if you add enough of it you will really feel it. I took the asada taco down in two big bites and chomped on a jalapeno for good measure. Luckily I had some lime jarritos left to cool down all the heat or I would have had to order another beverage.
Taqueria Chiahuahuha is moving out of their current location at the end of May and there are plans to open a location at 12034 Venice Bl in Mar Vista. When they do you'll here about it here. Until then don't forget to try the Santa Monica location before they close their doors.

Taqueria Chihuahua is at 1922 Olympic Blvd, Santa Monica. Tacos $1 each
Bandini...props to you on the carnitas photo. Dang...that's a really nice shot!
ReplyDeleteVery nice photos indeed. Now I'm hungry.
ReplyDeletethanks!
ReplyDeletedoes that qualify as food porn?
Oh Bandini! I was soooo sad to hear that Taqueria Chichuahua was moving away from Santa Monica! It's one of my lunchtime hideaways! Most of the people in my office frequent Tacos Por Favor, which I love too, but, believe it or not TPF is trendier than TC and when I'm eating tacos, I prefer to be low-key. I think I'll go there for lunch today!!! Thanks for the reminder.
ReplyDeleteThough I am a dedicated Cactus man (the Vine location), I work in SM and getting a burrito at The Taqueria (as we call it) always makes me super super happy. Their chunky salsa is the best!
ReplyDeleteDAMN SONY/BMG! How dare The Man bust my Burrito Stand!
BASTARDS!!
"I love the little tacos: I love them good." - Gir
My stomach is happy because I ate 2 fish tacos there today for lunch. But my heart is sad that they are moving. And my brain is sad that I knew about this place at least a month before I first tried it.
ReplyDeleteYes Bandini..the picture qualifies as food porn!
ReplyDeleteBandini, those by far are the porniest looking taco photos. it actually looks tastier than Tacos Por Favor. I trust you, so i'm going to check this place out this week.
ReplyDeleteI love taco Chihuahua!!!
ReplyDeleteI live down the block and go there for the Pancho Villa...its delicious!
Sorry to hear they are closing. Stopped by today and felt sad but hey...maybe they can open another location on PICO. This place is legit...and delicious!
I live and work in Seoul. I must be insane. reading this blog
ReplyDeleteis near torture. I'd like to recommend a place in Chicago (if your ever there) called La Pasadita--2 locations on N. Ashland. They have the best salsa verde I've ever encountered. The asada tacos are excellent...
Taqueria Chihuahua is now open at its new location near the intersection of Venice and Inglewood. The best part is, it is almost literally across the street from me. Can't wait to try it out.
ReplyDeleteI never tried the old location, but when I was driving down Venice last week I spotted the new location and had to hit it. Well worth the stop.
ReplyDeleteGreat news!!
ReplyDeleteThey have moved to the new location on the corner of Lincoln and Pico. They have the full menu.
The new place looks great. Open for breakfast too.
Ate at TC last night for the first time. I knew it was a good sign when I saw the cook slab on some fresh carne asada, seconds after I placed my order. The carnitas was so-so, the carne asada tacos were pretty good, but the real gem was the al pastor. Finally a good place on the westside that serves legit al pastor tacos. Am definitely going back whenever the al pastor craving hits.
ReplyDeleteAte at TC last night for the first time. I knew it was a good sign when I saw the cook slab on some fresh carne asada, seconds after I placed my order. The carnitas was so-so, the carne asada tacos were pretty good, but the real gem was the al pastor. Finally a good place on the westside that serves legit al pastor tacos. Am definitely going back whenever the al pastor craving hits.
ReplyDeleteGreat news!!
ReplyDeleteThey have moved to the new location on the corner of Lincoln and Pico. They have the full menu.
The new place looks great. Open for breakfast too.
Bandini, those by far are the porniest looking taco photos. it actually looks tastier than Tacos Por Favor. I trust you, so i'm going to check this place out this week.
ReplyDeleteI live and work in Seoul. I must be insane. reading this blog
ReplyDeleteis near torture. I'd like to recommend a place in Chicago (if your ever there) called La Pasadita--2 locations on N. Ashland. They have the best salsa verde I've ever encountered. The asada tacos are excellent...