After the fiasco at Howdy's I needed to feel a real taco in my belly again so I called Big H ,an eastside taco informant with lots of knowledge when it comes to eastside taquerias. I told him about my lettuce taco at Howdy's and how I needed an authentic East La taco to get me back on track.
"Lettuce on your taco? only on the Westside" he said
"It was vile, I was insulted..It's made me stronger though..more determined"
Big H pointed me towards Sergio's Tacos in the city of Commerce. "During the day it's just the taco hut,if you go at night they open the taco truck in the parking lot too" he said.
Commerce is an industrial city that borders Montebello and Vernon. When most people think of Commerce they think of Commerce casino. That and the dodgy roads because of the hundreds of big rigs that deliver goods to the warehouses in the area every day.
When I walked into Sergio's it was standing room only but It's one of those places where you can't really tell how crowded it is until you walk through the door and once you do everyone in the joint turns to see who you are. Nothing to see here I wanted to say,just a taco reporter from the westside.
I was met quickly with a smile and ordered my usual(carnitas, asada, al pastor).
There was nowhere to sit so I took my plate of tacos outside. Big H was right, these were beauties. The al pastor- thin cuts of seasoned pork and caramelized onions,the asada soft and full of sabor and and the carnitas moist and salted perfectly. They were finished with the best salsa roja I've had in recent memory.
carne asada
Sergio's is definitely in the upper echelon of LA taco establishments. The tacos are estilo mexico, authentic and delicious. They were a quick reminder of the excellence and simplicity of LA tacos.
I was refocused and more determined than ever to continue the journey for the great tacos of our city, to find that perfect moment when the tortillas, meat and salsa come together with that cold beverage in hand waiting to quench the heat of that chile fire . But first it was time to take the hunt back to the beginning where I first started. It was time to head back to King Taco.
Sergio's Tacos
2216 S Atlantic Blvd
Los Angeles, CA 90040
(323) 261-3364
tacos $1.25
Technorati Tags: Tacos, Los Angeles, Taco Trucks, Mexican Food
I feel a little better now, after that west side fiasco. As you know, you are only three minutes from KT on Third.
ReplyDeletehey bandini, what's your take on the rumored (and observed, based on the labels i've been seeing) introduction of corn syrup into mexican coke? Will you make the switch to 100% jarritos?
ReplyDeleteI've seen some labels on mexican coke that say "contains corn syrup or sugar"
ReplyDeleteI really don't taste a difference so I'm assuming it's still real sugar.
I grew up in Sergio's, which is in my hood. Point of interest for you seeing as your moniker is Bandini: the residential area on the other side of Atlantic Boulevard across from Sergio's is named Bandini after the fertilizer company that was located nearby many moons ago.
ReplyDeleteOne thing not to miss if you hit Sergio's again is the lengua (assumming you dig it). Sergio's also has the second best menudo on the East Side after El Picante in Bell Gardens on Florence Place off of Garfield.
There's another Sergio's in Montebello the corner of Vail and Olympic next to the OROWEAT/Entenmann's bakery. This one actually has a good sized dining room.
ReplyDeleteTHE BEST CARNE ASADA, makes King Taco taste like Taco Bell!
I decided to try Sergio's one night in July 2007. I tried the carne asada and let me tell you they were really good. The meat was freshly chopped up by the cook and the tortillas came piping hot. There was also a little meat sauce that was in the taco. This is what made it so good. The meat was a little charred but with this sauce it made it moist and extra flavorful. There was also salsa roja to put on top to give that little kick. The meat was packed into the tortillas leaving no empty holes so these were totally worth it.
ReplyDeleteDelicious..great call. Not sure why, but on my visit on Aug 28, 2007, the salsa really burned my mouth in an unpleasant way. I dabbed some out, (I NEVER do that) and it was fine. Two carne asada and one al pastor was perfect.
ReplyDeleteGreat call!
It's Labor Day Sunday and I remembered this review so I drove the 12.5 miles south of my home for a carnitas taco and an el pastor.
ReplyDeleteSeriously, these were the best tacos I have ever had in my life. I wanted to rub them all over my body but there was a family at the next table... I had the gent put roja on the carnitas and verde on el pastor. Effing awesome. Best. Ever.
Don't think I can dance with the tongue or brains, but holy crow - the next time I have Canadian friends in town we are definitely stopping at Sergio's.
On 9/18/07 I went back and asked for less salsa,,they ignored me, but I'm glad. Three Al-Pastor tacos were delicious!!
ReplyDeleteThis comment has been removed by the author.
ReplyDeleteRosewini….. that is the name of the area between Rosewood and Bandini where Sergio’s is located. I grew up 200 yards from Segios so I’m well aware of the heavenly tacos and burritos too! Sergio’s open in the mid 80’s (1983?) and the tacos taste exactly the same today as they tasted in 1983. I must agree that Sergio’s is new king (long live the king) and bid farewell to the King (Taco)….
ReplyDeleteafter reading that you annointed Sergio's as the best taco joint, i decided to pull off the 5 and try it out.
ReplyDeleteal pastor was great expect for a mysterious black metal wire that ripped up the inside of my mouth upon the 2nd bite.
maybe they don't like outsiders even after leaving them a big tip.
Some of these places in East L.A. look a little scary..is it safe for a taco loving asian and gringo to venture???
ReplyDeleteThis is in answer to "Anonymous" asking about the "scary" East side. I originally would have answered your question with an "of course" given that I (being Mexican) live here in East L.A with BOTH an Asian AND White roommate...however after that ignorant question my new answer is NO! LOL!
ReplyDeleteMy Father and Uncle owned a place right across the street from Sergio's called Rodriguez Generators. That was back in the 80's. I grew up eating Sergio's and have made the drive from Sacramento to Commerce a couple of times because nothing else can curb the cravings. Of course I have family there too, so I passed by to say hi. :-)
ReplyDeleteI tried Sergio's today. WOW! They have the real Al Pastor on a stick and the asada is not fried meat like most places are doing now.
ReplyDeleteThe smell of lengua and cabeza filled the air immediately outside the front door.
As soon as you enter you see the modest establishment and you know this place is good.
I ordered Al Pastor and asada without cilantro and onions because they have them mixed up and I have a social life. The only add on was the red sauce. Super spicy and tasty, this sauce has awakened my acid reflux for the first tim ein years and I assume that I will feel the effects of it tomorrow also.
Definitely the place to eat tacos in EastLos.
the best tacos ever. the salsa roja has the best flavor ever too.
ReplyDeleteOMG the horchata was to die for.
ReplyDeleteI live a block away from Sergio's Tacos and its the best in town and i'd Sergios over King Taco. My favorite is the carne asada only burrito with lots of green hot sauce. The green hot sauce is the best and we buy a cup full every other week.
ReplyDeleteSergio's is a family favorite in our household. They have been there for many years. A new Sergio's is being built on the corner of Garfield and Olympic in Montebello. See you at the grand opening!
ReplyDeleteThis is by far my favorite taco spot. I was introduced to them by my dad about a year ago and have been coming back since and have hooked countless people to their tacos and salsa. Their menudo is just as good as my mom's and they cook it everyday! I really don't know why ANYONE would go to King Taco over sergios tacos. King Taco is overrated overpriced taco crap compared to sergios. Go there now! the area isn't as dangerous as you might think rather calm and quiet.
ReplyDeleteI have lived in Commerce my whole life (Bandini Area). I have been to many taco joints but none of them compare to Sergio's. One asada burrito and two lengua taco's is my usual, but all the meats are delicious.....
ReplyDeleteI tried Sergio's today. WOW! They have the real Al Pastor on a stick and the asada is not fried meat like most places are doing now.
ReplyDeleteThe smell of lengua and cabeza filled the air immediately outside the front door.
As soon as you enter you see the modest establishment and you know this place is good.
I ordered Al Pastor and asada without cilantro and onions because they have them mixed up and I have a social life. The only add on was the red sauce. Super spicy and tasty, this sauce has awakened my Acid reflux for the first tim ein years and I assume that I will feel the effects of it tomorrow also.
Definitely the place to eat tacos in EastLos.
I decided to try Sergio's one night in July 2007. I tried the carne asada and let me tell you they were really good. The meat was freshly chopped up by the cook and the tortillas came piping hot. There was also a little meat sauce that was in the taco. This is what made it so good. The meat was a little charred but with this sauce it made it moist and extra flavorful. There was also salsa roja to put on top to give that little kick. The meat was packed into the tortillas leaving no empty holes so these were totally worth it.
ReplyDeleteI've seen some labels on mexican coke that say "contains corn syrup or sugar"
ReplyDeleteI really don't taste a difference so I'm assuming it's still real sugar.
I feel a little better now, after that west side fiasco. As you know, you are only three minutes from KT on Third.
ReplyDeleteI live a block away from Sergio's Tacos and its the best in town and i'd Sergios over King Taco. My favorite is the carne asada only burrito with lots of green hot sauce. The green hot sauce is the best and we buy a cup full every other week.
ReplyDeleteMy Father and Uncle owned a place right across the street from Sergio's called Rodriguez Generators. That was back in the 80's. I grew up eating Sergio's and have made the drive from Sacramento to Commerce a couple of times because nothing else can curb the cravings. Of course I have family there too, so I passed by to say hi. :-)
ReplyDeleteThis is in answer to "Anonymous" asking about the "scary" East side. I originally would have answered your question with an "of course" given that I (being Mexican) live here in East L.A with BOTH an Asian AND White roommate...however after that ignorant question my new answer is NO! LOL!
ReplyDeleteOn 9/18/07 I went back and asked for less salsa,,they ignored me, but I'm glad. Three Al-Pastor tacos were delicious!!
ReplyDeleteDelicious..great call. Not sure why, but on my visit on Aug 28, 2007, the salsa really burned my mouth in an unpleasant way. I dabbed some out, (I NEVER do that) and it was fine. Two carne asada and one al pastor was perfect.
ReplyDeleteGreat call!