
In the second installment of better know a taquero (yes, I stole this concept from the Colbert Report's better know a district) I sat down(virtually) with taquero Jorge Campos, owner of Taqueria Los Barrigones in South Gate.Mr Campos started Taqueria Los Barrigones 5 months ago after moving from Texas to Los Angeles.

So you come from Texas. Is there a difference between a Texas taco and an LA taco? I hear breakfast tacos are big in texas.
Honestly I don't think there's such a thing. Texas doesn't have authentic food. I kept it very traditional, just what you would find if you were walking the streets of Mexico.
How long have you been in business? Was there a moment when you thought "yes we've made it"?
I've been in the taco business for about 4 years now. When I opened the 1st place in Texas, it was tough people were hesitant to try them. I remember the 1st 2 weeks we sold like an average of 50 tacos a night. Pretty tough. Then one night it jumped to like 150, and from that point on there was no stopping us. So in that sense yes I felt like I made it in Texas. I've been here in California for about 5 months now and at times we get these spurts of people but I think I can do alot better. It's just tough, people are hesitant to try the tacos since theres so many mediocre places out here.
What made you decide to get into the taco business?
I've been around the food industry all my life. I knew I was going to open up some type of restaurant. Being that Tacos are a mexican tradition I wanted to have something that keeps my nationality going. So tacos it is. Now I have one of the best tacos people can eat.
To me lettuce on a soft taco is sacrilegious. how do you feel about lettuce on a taco?
Lettuce on a soft taco. you go to taco bell, el pollo loco. These aren't authentic mexican tacos.
You're open real late on the weekends(3am) have you been able to pull in the late night party crowds?
We're starting to draw some people in at night. It's pretty tough here, theres so many officers on the streets here at night that people avoid this area. Back in the day this Tweedy mile was a cruising spot, well they've gone away from that. So people are just finding out about us.
what is the taco scene like in South Gate? Any plans for expansion?
Honestly we're the best South Gate has to offer. Will be expanding in the near future. We have a location in LA by USC, and another in Paramount. Hopefully those will open this year. its tough. im a sole prop. and dont get any loans so it takes me a while.
What do you think of some of the big names in the taco business, chains like King Taco and Don Chente?
Well interesting. The honest truth King Taco used to be good, about 15 years ago. Now its just a name people recognize. They have a hot sauce thats it. I must say their pastor is pretty tasty at times, or should I say depending on the location. But obviously King Taco has done something right they've been able to establish one of they hardest businesses there is. Don Chente I can honestly say I know very little of. I know its the fastest growing chain there is today. I guess its good to use a Mexican Icon's name for your business. Vicente Fernandez is a big big Mexican name known all over the world. Why not use his name and an image that almost resembles him. Tasted their food once not too impressed.
On that note I would love to have a taco cookout where the best of the best go up against each other. I'm willing to put my tacos up for a taste test against anyone. They are that good.
That's a great idea. I could be the MC

What region of Mexico do your flavors come from?
It's a lil mixture of Mexico. Yellow corn tortillas, nice juicy meets, grilled onion and lemon. its just a Mexican Taco. But i followed the traditions from Chihuahua, where I'm from.
Thanks for the interview. I look forward to tasteing your tacos and I'm sure my readers do as well.
I hope I was able to give you a little info to help you out. Like I said my tacos are different, from style, texture ,and taste. I use only the best and freshest ingredients, all my meats are fresh and cooked on a daily basis, nothing is frozen.


Check out Taqueria Los Barrigones and tell them the great taco hunt sent you!
Taqueria Los Barrigones 4070 tweedy blvd. 323-569-8200
Mon-Thurs 9am - 11pm
Fri-Sat 9am - 3am
Sun 10am - 11pm.
Thanx for the 411 on this taco spot! I stay in Sur GAte so I'll be trying that spot myself even though I think you could of come up with a better name! Barrigones? How about Taco Naco?
ReplyDeleteHow much are the tacos here? Looks like a good place to try out.
ReplyDeletehey whats up thanks for the interview and the feed back. tacos are 1.20. not your small tacos. you get else where. the name is a nickname of mine so it goes well with the image. check it out you wont be disappointed
ReplyDeleteThe tacos here are excellent. I have been here more than once and have not been disappointed. The grilled onions are a nice touch and add a nice flavor to already great tacos. Keep up the good work and i look forward to my next visit.
ReplyDeletevery nice interview. those tacos look pretty tasty.
ReplyDeleteWhat is the address of his outlet near USC that he mentioned?
ReplyDeleteit will be on the corner of 39th place and broadway. it will be all out door seating. in a nice designed patio. with waterfalls and nice fire pits and gardening. we might even have internet hook- ups, for are customers. this part of the project still up in the air. but never the less another quality location
ReplyDeleteWell, be sure to let Bandini know when it's open for business.
ReplyDeleteThose tacos sure look tasty, I'll drop by next time I'm in town.
ReplyDeleteOne minor quibble: I see lemons instead of limes there. I'm sorry for being such a purist about sides, but I've found it very hard to successfully pair the perfumed tartness of "yellow" lemons with most taco meats (pastor can pull it off, and also cochinita, maybe due to oranges being part of the achiote adobo rub).
Give me a good, old-fashioned, green-skinned lime anytime! Be it asada, carnitas, suadero or barbacoa, it brings out the perfect sour contrast that complements the fiery sauces and the bold, charred meats we love.
What is the rating on the taco scale??
ReplyDeletePersonnally, the lemons add to the flavor of the whole package. The yellow tortilla, the seasoned meats, and the grilled onions all sprinkled with some of that lemon.....MMMmmmmmm!!!
ReplyDeleteKeep it up Los B!
this is the next 5/5 bandini. i just went with some co-workers. WOW!!!!!!! asada, pastor tripas. oh and when your there try a mulita de asada. i dont know what these guys do but, im hooked, and so are my co-workers... a must taste!!!!!! Gabriel
ReplyDeleteNo breakfast tacos in Texas?!!? WTF?!?! I literally eat breakfast tacos every morning from a different joint. The breakfast taco is basically the official dish of Austin.
ReplyDeleteThanks Bandini. I just went to taste for myself and I am very impressed. Although I only tried the 'mulitas' and tacos de asada, I can't wait to go back and begin on the other choices. Definitely worth the visit yesterday, and more to come.
ReplyDeleteJorge exudes confidence, which is something I really appreciate. He talks about his tacos like a man who really knows what they want to do, and exudes a humble and understated demeanor that implies taco dominance. I mean, calling King Taco out is a bold statement which leads me to believe that he can back it up with some bomb ass product! I will definitely try these soon. Also, they look more like the tacos I make at home than any other of the trucks or taquerias, so that definitely gives me a good feeling about their appeal to my subjective tastes.
ReplyDeleteThe place was weak.
ReplyDeletehttp://infinitefress.blogspot.com/2007/08/absurdities-of-taqueria-los-barrigones.html
No fat or nerves on ASADA. Very lean AL PASTOR. Moist and flavorfull POLLO. Satisfying TRIPAS. Make BUCHE available and it's on! Amigo!! (Damn! Now i,m hungry.)
ReplyDeletehello bandini. i love your site i must say. i was in south gate and i remember reading about this place OMG!!!! it is that good and more. tasty and juicy just how i like it. a must try. 2 thumbs up. i had asada, pastor, trip, and a mulit de chorizo. so so good. me and my girlfriends found are new favorite spot. thanks bandini for finding this place denise, sara and monique
ReplyDeleteWoohooo!!! As Homer would put it. Its been a long time since I have come accross such a great taco. Props to Bandini for introducing me to this place, even though I have'nt seen any rating on it. Just the talk of going against the 'king', made me wonder. Aaarrrghhhh....tacos!!! So now I thank the Barrigones for such a great tasting taco, well actually more like tacos. I did endulge in taco after taco after taco, so damn good. Tacos rule!!!
ReplyDeletehey whats up peeps this is the mero mero taquero de los barrigones just wanting to say thanks to those who have visited my place hope you all have enjoyed it. like i said i only serve the best, thats what you guys deserve. so dont hesitate to stop by drop a comment, if youve been to Los Barrigones. South Gates Favorite place to eat. Coming soon to LA. 39th and Broadway pl.
ReplyDeleteI actually came here after reading the interview and was amazed for a bit. the place is pretty bare looking but, hey ur here for tacos edaa..
ReplyDeleteI had a carne asada mulita and it tasted sooo good. the green sauce is good. However, when i ordered an al pastor taco i was kinda confused and kept wondering wat kind of meat was in my taco>it just didn't taste too good and the red sauce didn't go well with it.
If i go again, i will just stick to carne asada.
These are the best tacos/burritos i've ever tasted!!!
ReplyDeleteLast weekend, I went there twice in one day!!! They are that good... we need to get the word of mouth moving for this place...
cause i don't know what ill do without those tacos!!
These are the best tacos/burritos i've ever tasted!!!
ReplyDeleteLast weekend, I went there twice in one day!!! They are that good... we need to get the word of mouth moving for this place...
cause i don't know what ill do without those tacos!!
I'm from South Gate and I haven't gone there because it's a new spot. I don't trust any of the new spots. I like getting tacos from Tacos Raul in Downey, but that's pretty far from me. I only have to walk for fifteen minutes to get to Taqueria Los Barrigones. Thanks so much for the update!
ReplyDeletedude... Trust me, those tacos are the best tacos around here. I go there atleast every saturday...
ReplyDeleteTRIPAS! That was it for me. Thanks, that was worth the trip there, and all my future Tripa fixes.
ReplyDelete**** COMING SOON ****
ReplyDeleteLOS ANGELES
39th and Broadway Place near the Memorial Coliseum.
******* Now Open *******
ReplyDelete39th and Broadway place.
near the memorial coliseum. home of the the USC TROJANS!!!
ome heck us out we look forward to providing you with quality tacos and excellent service.
Los Barrigones Management.
Yes! The more the merrier! Now when i go to LA area i can count on some tasty FN TACOS!!! Thanks. When you coming to our hood? Long Beach???
ReplyDelete******* Now Open *******
ReplyDelete39th and Broadway place.
near the memorial coliseum. home of the the USC TROJANS!!!
ome heck us out we look forward to providing you with quality tacos and excellent service.
Los Barrigones Management.
I'm from South Gate and I haven't gone there because it's a new spot. I don't trust any of the new spots. I like getting tacos from Tacos Raul in Downey, but that's pretty far from me. I only have to walk for fifteen minutes to get to Taqueria Los Barrigones. Thanks so much for the update!
ReplyDeleteI actually came here after reading the interview and was amazed for a bit. the place is pretty bare looking but, hey ur here for tacos edaa..
ReplyDeleteI had a carne asada mulita and it tasted sooo good. the green sauce is good. However, when i ordered an al pastor taco i was kinda confused and kept wondering wat kind of meat was in my taco>it just didn't taste too good and the red sauce didn't go well with it.
If i go again, i will just stick to carne asada.
Personnally, the lemons add to the flavor of the whole package. The yellow tortilla, the seasoned meats, and the grilled onions all sprinkled with some of that lemon.....MMMmmmmmm!!!
ReplyDeleteKeep it up Los B!
Well, be sure to let Bandini know when it's open for business.
ReplyDeletehey whats up thanks for the interview and the feed back. tacos are 1.20. not your small tacos. you get else where. the name is a nickname of mine so it goes well with the image. check it out you wont be disappointed
ReplyDeleteHow much are the tacos here? Looks like a good place to try out.
ReplyDelete