Janette Villafana

Janette Villafana is an award-winning bilingual multimedia journalist. Her heart lies in community-based reporting, and her work is highly centered on showcasing and uplifting community voices, with a significant focus on the Latino community. She developed her beat at L.A. TACO, covering street vending communities in Los Angeles. Past work has been featured on NBC, LAist, Latino Rebels, and more. She is currently featured at the Smithsonian National Museum of American History in Washington in an exhibit titled “¡De última hora! Latinas Report Breaking News.”
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The 34 Best ‘Hood Burgers In Los Angeles
It’s important to remember that these places have fed many inner-city families. When many classified parts of Los Angeles as “food deserts,” those $19.99 family value packs of burgers and fries were feeding many mouths, way before Smash Burgers.
The 11 Best Tacos In Whittier
Whittier is one of L.A.'s best cities for tacos. From a tender steamed tongue, to a taquero specializing in tacos de costilla, served with a grilled rib bone. Here is our vetted neighborhood taco guide to get you started on your own crawl.
The 11 Best Birria Tacos in Los Angeles
From goat to beef to birria de lengua, and even a jackfruit birria, these are the best birria tacos in L.A.
A Running List of Mom N’ Pop Businesses In Danger Of Closing That Need Community Support Right Now
It feels like almost every other month, we hear about a business closing its doors or attempting to stay open. To help these businesses stay open rather than report on them once they’ve closed, we created this ongoing list of restaurants and businesses in Los Angeles that need the most support. Did we miss any? Let us know which ones also need love in the comments.
The Nine Best Tacos In The Inland Empire
From tacos de canasta in Fontana to brain tacos in San Bernardino and insanely tasty puffy tacos filled with chile verde in Alta Loma, these tacos fuel the Inland Empire's working class and taco fanatics. All are worth the drive.
The Seven Best Tacos in Azusa
In Azusa, you'll mostly find CalMex and the simple joy of traditional taquería fare. But there are a few glorious outliers involving mole negro, fried quesadillas, and stewed spicy pork leg. Here's where to go.
The Eight Best Cemitas Poblanas In Los Angeles
Named after the type of bread they are made from—a giant, egg-enriched sesame bun—a cemita is like the torta's cousin from Puebla. It comes stacked high with milanesa, pápalo, quesillo, avocado, chipotle paste, and pickled jalapeño. Here's where to find the best ones from East L.A. to The Valley.
Here Are All the Tacos Being Served At TACO MADNESS 2025
This is L.A.’s taco-soul on full display—diverse, delicious, and the best of the best available in one spot only this Saturday.
People Drive Five Hours For These Brain Tacos In California
“No customer of mine leaves hungry,” says the taquero behind the very popular shop specializing in beef head tacos. “All my employees have the authority and approval to gift a free taco to new customers, even if they don’t buy anything. We want you to try it before you say no.”
The Eight Best Latino-Owned Coffee Pop-Ups Serving Labubu, Gansito, and Duvalín Lattes From Their Front Yards
Beyond the specifics behind the perfect pour, a high-quality bean, and a great aroma, coffee is about community, the people who serve it, and the people we share it with.