Driving west out of downtown LA on 6th street the shadows from the high rises give way to open air and the great wide open of the city. It is here where the taco truck culture thrives,where the taqueros depend on neighborhood loyalties,word of mouth and a bond with the community where they become that dependable food source.
And that is where I found The Surfer Taco, a taco truck that parks at 6th and Columbia ave. A truck that serves everything from mariscos and cemitas poblanas to tacos, sopes, burritos, and tortas.
The creative mural displayed a worst case scenerio of global warming. Will 6th and colombia be the new shoreline? Holy smokes I hope not. Then again...I wouldn't mind surfing to work.
Upon arrival I noticed the the rotating al pastor spit, a sight that makes every taco eater salivate. A hunk of pork topped with a pineapple rotated next to a heating aparatus, while other meats sizzled on the flattop grill.On the counter containers of salsas(roja, verde), limes, radishes, onions and cilantro awaited the taco faithful.
The al pastor is tender, sweet and succulent,charred at the tips and moist in the middle. Very well prepared. And these are meaty tacos, not the small tacos that fit in your palm(although i love those too). The medium sized tortillas hold up well packed with meat and topped with onions, cilantro and salsa roja.
The asada is lean and complimented by the peppery salsa roja . The salsa is similiar to the famed king taco roja in that it has the burn but there's also a complex flavor that makes it more than just a shot of heat.
I ordered two more tacos al pastor,one got the full roja treatment, the other a shot of lime. After devouring them it was clear that there was some magic between the sweet pork and the rustic firey roja.The sweetness of the pork and the pep of the salsa are the ying to the others yang and with the cold orange soda it was one of those perfect taco moments where the flavors, heat and soda fizz all came together.
The Surfer Taco reigns supreme over the local competition. The al pastor alone will bring me back again and again. But I think next time I will have to try the huarache. Why you ask? Because I have never had a huarache.
And I'm not really worried about 6th and colombia becoming the new shoreline anytime soon but it's good to know if it does that a gallon of gasoline will only be $3.49
3.5/5
The Surfer Taco 6th St and Colombia Ave(west of downtown LA. Tacos $1.25 . 4pm-late night
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I visit this site way too often. and I love how often you update it. I'm starving!!! Wish I were in the LA area...
ReplyDeleteHola Bandini!
ReplyDeleteThere's a restaurant named "Huarache" in the town of taco trucks, Highland Park.
The huaraches are quite large and filling. I'll think you'll like this place.
El Huarache Azteca #1, 5225 York Blvd., L.A., (323) 478-9572.
The best fish, carnitas, pastor and asada tacos in Los Angeles, and the best tasty and real mexican-cuban torta from Mexico City
ReplyDeleteHola Bandini!
ReplyDeleteThere's a restaurant named "Huarache" in the town of taco trucks, Highland Park.
The huaraches are quite large and filling. I'll think you'll like this place.
El Huarache Azteca #1, 5225 York Blvd., L.A., (323) 478-9572.
Excellent choice of words to create the visualization upon your arrival. Theres a certain zen that takes place as you walk up to order.When "Every taco eater salivates". What I found interesting was the use of pineapple. Can you order those on your tacos? It would definately be a bit extraneous, but I think it would add some zap to the taco floorplan. There is a place that I go to that sells burgers as well as tacos, and they use pineapple as a topping for the burgers only. I see mango salsa all the time, perhaps the pineapple is ready to dance.
ReplyDelete