Machos Tacos is a mexican food hut in the heart of Los Feliz. I’ve passed by it for years on my way to Yuca’s but I've never pulled over to check it out.
There’s some heavy taco competition in the area with Yuca’s and Casa Diaz but Machos seems to have a loyal following.
The first thing I noticed when perusing the menu was a taco called the damn good chicken taco. I of course had to order it but felt a bit silly saying the words damn good. I also ordered the chicken mole taco, carne asada and carnitas.
If you’re going to give one of your tacos the title of “damn good” it better be damn good. Lettuce, cheese and tomatoes go well with a hard shell taco but with the soft shell corn tortillas these extras are just filler. If the chicken had a strong flavor and alot of taste to it the taco could have been something but there wasn't much flavor here. I would like to rename this taco the damn waste of $1.50
"damn good" and chicken mole
I wasn’t too crazy about the carnitas either. The cubes of pork tasted off and the texture and shape of each cube reminded me of canned carnitas. I doubt this was the case but avoid the carnitas at all costs.
The chicken mole taco was interesting though. It was my first mole taco so I have nothing to compare it t. The tangy mole, mild peppers and cheese went well together and the chicken breast was very moist. I’d order this again.
The carne asada was the best of the four. The charred bits of flank steak had alot of flavor and juicyness. I could have done without the guacamole though, it was too bland and hid the flavor of the charred steak.
So Machos was kind’ve hit and miss. I’d probably try a burrito next time. There were quite a few people eating so I’m sure there is something on the menu that is attracting them all. The tacos didn’t impress me though.
MACHOS TACOS 1670 N VERMONT AVE LOS ANGELES 90027
Their burritos here are my favorite. They have excellent tasting beans.
ReplyDeleteWell, first I must say that I find your blog and your whole idea of sampling tacos across the land highly respectable. But you should probably get back to Macho's Tacos sometime and reevaluate your taste buds. Macho's Tacos one of the best my friend. Try a burrito if you want. Also make sure you go sit in the covered ramada behind the kitchen on a nice afternoon. Can it be beat? No.
ReplyDeleteI have to agree with Bandini and disagree with the Machos fans. Machos is fine, in that it serves a kind-of-authentic and relatively inexpensive street taco. But, let's face it, if Yuca's didn't close so early, and if more people knew about Casa Diaz (i.e. if they looked across the street), Machos would be out of business.
ReplyDeleteThe meat in the tacos at Machos is less tender and less flavorful and the toppings are less authentic. It's open late and the people there are friendly, but I would never recommend it to someone who's willing to drive to get tacos.
I find it amusing to here a bunch of no name gringos give their opinion on what they believe tacos should taste like. For example....someone who doesn't like guacamole on a taco....dude, get out of the business of calling yourself a taco critic. By the way, lets talk about authentic, putting mounds of pepper on everything and selling hotdogs and burgers doesn't happen anywhere in Mexico. Oh and while your ordering at Yucciness check out the cleaniness, to die for! Can you say gross!
ReplyDelete"selling hotdogs and burgers doesn't happen anywhere in Mexico."
ReplyDeleteThis is obviously false.
No name gringos...ha ha. Apparently, one has to be Mexican to enjoy tacos or believe in the rights of the Zapatistas in this city. White, Black, Korean, Nicaraguan, and Persian people are not allowed to have opinions on Mexican culutre, no matter how important it is in the city we live in? We live in such cultural diversity, this bullshit attitude is moot. We have nearly hundreds of cultures to enjoy and appreciate within Los Angeles without having to be from those cultures. It's time we start appreciating each other instead of drawing lines in the sand of who can believe what. This is the USA, not apartheid-era South Africa or the California Penal System. Unity now!
ReplyDeleteWhy is Macho's so popular? The answer is simple:
ReplyDelete1) Chicken mole tacos
2) Machaca tacos
You can get carne asada, carnitas and chicken tacos anywhere in LA, but I haven't tasted anything like the mole or machaca tacos at Machos.
Well worth another try, my little gringo.
Try the fish and shrimp tacos! They are both fried and very good...
ReplyDeleteI used to live in the area and enjoyed their burritos, taquitos, and nachos much more than their tacos. If you are looking for tacos in this area, stick with Yuca's.
ReplyDeleteimho Yuca's sucks
ReplyDeleteI live closer to Yucas and prefer crossing the street to Macho's.
Hey man, just discovered your blog and am all about it. I love the chicken mole tacos at MACHOS. I guess I just love the complexity of mole in general. Was wondering if you could recommend some other spots to get mole street tacos. Keep it up!
ReplyDeleteWhy is Macho's so popular? The answer is simple:
ReplyDelete1) Chicken mole tacos
2) Machaca tacos
You can get carne asada, carnitas and chicken tacos anywhere in LA, but I haven't tasted anything like the mole or machaca tacos at Machos.
Well worth another try, my little gringo.
I lived in LA for a year. Macho's was a weakly eating stop for me. Amazing burritos and tacos. By far the best I've eaten in LA. Alas around four months ago there was a change of ownership and while their products are still good, they are nowhere near as good as before.
ReplyDeleteWhen I return to LA I'll try then again. Especially their burritos!!
I lived in LA for a year. Macho's was a weakly eating stop for me. Amazing burritos and tacos. By far the best I've eaten in LA. Alas around four months ago there was a change of ownership and while their products are still good, they are nowhere near as good as before.
ReplyDeleteWhen I return to LA I'll try then again. Especially their burritos!!