Our haters consistently tell us to “stick to tacos.” And yet, every year our analytics tell us that some of our most clicked on stories are actually straight forward news and culture pieces that sometimes have nothing to do with meat and tortillas. We think we’ll continue to listen to the number one driver of traffic to our site (Google), and our loyal members who support us for our news content.
Here are our 12 most-read news stories that we published in 2024:
Long Beach Elotero Shot And Killed In Broad Daylight
By Janette Villafana
A tragic story that highlights the physical dangers that street vendors face, even in broad daylight when they’re seemingly not being targeted.
O.G. Taco Truck Served 'Cease and Desist' By Ralphs
By Lexis-Olivier Ray
Earlier this year, Rudy Barrientos, the owner of Gracias Señor in the Palisades, was served a cease and desist order for allegedly encouraging customers to park in the neighboring Ralphs parking lot where he parks his food truck. If you think that sounds wild, you should read about what happened next.
‘No Tipping’ Restaurant Sued By Feds For Allegedly Stealing Tips From Workers
By Lexis-Olivier Ray
Ironically, a restaurant in Pasadena that doesn’t allow customers to tip was sued by the feds for allegedly stealing hundreds of thousands of dollars in tips from their workers.
Oysters at These L.A. Restaurants Made People Sick
By Lexis-Olivier Ray
In case you didn’t know, eating raw oysters can make you very sick. Like, once-in-a-lifetime-food-poisoning kind of sick. Unfortunately, there is no way to tell if an oyster is infected with norovirus based on taste, smell or appearance.
Pioneering Ethical Meat Butcher Jered Standing Dies at 44
By Lexis-Olivier Ray
The L.A. food scene lost several notable chefs and personalities this year, including Jered Standing, the founder of the whole animal butcher shop, Standing’s Butchery, on Melrose Avenue.
‘It Was Madness,’ Says Brother of Man Killed By LAPD ‘For Holding a Plastic Fork’
By Lexis-Olivier Ray
We were the first publication to speak to the family of a man who was fatally shot by police while holding a plastic fork.
LAPD Officer Driving On Wrong Side Of The Road T-Bones Driver, Leaving Them in a Medically Induced Coma
By Lexis-Olivier Ray
Here’s one example of an innocent person being seriously injured during a police chase in Los Angeles. Sadly, there are plenty more.
Fires In Oaxaca Have Claimed 5 Farmers’ Lives
By Javier Cabral
After parts of Oaxaca went up in flames earlier this year, locals questioned where all the celebrities and tourists who exploit the land went running off to. In the new year, expect more international coverage from L.A. TACO.
California’s Ban on Cruising Has Been Lifted
By Hadley Tomicki
It only took 25 years, but California finally did away with its ban on cruising.
Protester Whose Testicle Exploded After LAPD Officer Shot Him with ‘Less Lethal’ Firearm Receives $1.5 Million Settlement
By Lexis-Olivier Ray
The city has been held liable for millions of dollars in claims associated with police misconduct during the George Floyd protests.
Arts District Michelin-Starred Bistro Sued For Withholding Tips
By Lexis-Olivier Ray
Another fancy restaurant sued for allegedly stealing from their employees. At what point do we consider this a “crime wave?”
‘Justice 8’ Series
By Janette Villafana
A year ago, eight street vendor advocates, including Edin Enamorado, were abruptly thrown in jail on various charges linked to protests held in Riverside County. L.A. TACO’s Janette Villafana is one of only a few reporters that has followed this story since day one and will continue to as Enamorado faces a jury trial next year.
