These are the seven best tacos in Azusa.
Located at the base of San Gabriel Canyon, it’s easy to see where Azusa gets the nickname “The Canyon City” from. Spanning an area of roughly 10 square miles, from the San Gabriel foothills to the San Gabriel River, and Irwindale to the 210 and 10 freeways, Azusa is working-class, and the city's tacos reflect that: no frills, nothing fancy, and they get the job done.
Here you'll mostly find servings of CalMex and traditional taquería eats. With a few notable exceptions involving mole, fried quesadillas, and pierna, the taco options in Azusa are fairly standard, but still good enough to make a worthy stop when driving in the area.
The name is derived from the Tongva place name Asuksa-nga, which translates to "skunk place" or "skunk hill," with asuksa meaning "skunk" and -nga indicating a place. This likely referred to a specific location, possibly a hill or area near the San Gabriel River, associated with skunks or a similar feature in the landscape. The city of Azusa, founded in 1887 and incorporated in 1898, adopted this name from the local Tongva village or geographic feature.
Whether you're off-roading in the closest legal O.H.V. (off-highway vehicle area) area in L.A. or just driving by, here's what we recommend.
Tacos El Superior
Tacos El Superior is located up the same street as Tony's. With origins as an Antelope Valley food truck, El Superior put its first location south of the San Gabriel Mountains in Azusa. It serves a simple menu with simple tacos, but is very good. The specialty is birria de res, specifically quesabirrias—cheesy tacos with tender, juicy beef birria filling crispy tortillas. The stand also seems to sell a lot of asada nachos, burritos, and sopes. If the agua de jamaica is on the menu, get it. Not too sweet, it’s a perfect thirst quencher on a hot summer afternoon. Be on the lookout for more locations, as Tacos El Superior is quickly expanding, with plans to open two more L.A. area locations in Sylmar and Hawaiian Gardens.
Location: 700 E. Alosta Ave. Azusa, CA 91702
Open: Monday through Thursday and Sunday from 10 A.M. to 10 P.M. and Friday and Saturday from 10 A.M. to 12 A.M.
Carbón Taquería
When discussing good grilled meats with the perfect char on each bite, we must mention Carbón Taqueria. Here, they specialize in quality products, from prime meats such as asada, rib eye, and arrachera to homemade salsas made from scratch daily. Their meats, including longaniza, chicken, and adobada, are grilled over mesquite. There's also a saudero brisket taco on the menu. It's safe to say that Carbón is carving out its own lane in Azusa, and it's a must-visit when in town.
Location: 626 N Azusa Ave. Azusa, CA 91702
Open: Tuesday, Friday through Sunday, 4 P.M. to 9 P.M.
Taco King
Not to be confused with King Taco, Taco King is the sole property of Azusa. CalMex options and combo plates abound here, including chile relleños, delicious enchiladas, tacos dorados, and flautas. The al pastor is well-marinated and is one of the more in-demand taco orders here, as are the crisp tripas and asada. If you're reaching beyond tacos, consider the chile verde plate, with tender chunks of pork in a tangy, savory salsa. Of course, you can always order some tortillas on the side and make a taco out of them. Should the world of tacos refuse to let you go?
Location: 246 N. Azusa Ave. Azusa, CA 91702
Open: Daily from 7 A.M. to 7 P.M.
Señor Esparza Tacos
For some surf and turf and the best of both worlds, you'll want to head to Señor Esparza Tacos. At this family-owned taco spot, you will find a classic taco de asada with cilantro and onion, and baja-style fish and shrimp tacos topped with shredded cabbage, pico, and their housemade creamy salsa. They do offer meats like al pastor and chicken.
Location: 251 S Irwindale Ave. Azusa, CA 91702
Open: Monday through Friday from 8 A.M. to 7 P.M. and Saturday from 8 A.M. to 3 P.M. Closed Sundays
CAMICHFT/La Famosa
CAMICHFT, dubbed for a portmanteau of California + Michoacan + food truck, sets up right next to Gladstone Middle School on the Covina/Azusa borderline. Is it Covina? Is it Azusa? We could debate all day. What CAMICHFT has is two of the more unique tacos in the region: both tacos de pierna and tacos de mole. The taco de mole comes with just that, mole de negro, highlighting its intricate flavors simply inside of a flour tortilla dabbed in salsa macha. The pierna (pork leg) is tender, rubbed in spices, and served with onions, a touch of queso, and stuffed inside a tortilla that's also been dabbed and slightly griddled in that same salsa macha. Tortas, burritos,and mulitas are also great at CAMICHFT.
Located on the Arrow Highway side of Gladstone MS but always check Instagram for a change in location and pop-up events.
Los Tres Hermanos
Located by Gladstone Middle School in roughly the same area as CAMICHFT, Los Tres Hermanos serves some of the best carnitas in the area. Even better, they give you a TON with each order. These carnitas are clean, not greasy, and come piled on top of a corn tortilla. Is it a taco? Or finger food you pick at until the tortilla can finally fold around the mound of confit pork in front of you? Both. And it’s GOOD. Drizzle a bit of lime on top and call it lunch.
Fri-Sun afternoons and evenings, located on the Arrow Highway side of Gladstone MS.
Pepe's Tacos
Located at the end of Azusa Avenue, right before heading up into San Gabriel Canyon, Pepe’s is an excellent spot for tacos and burritos after a long day spent in the wilderness. Or for a breakfast burrito before heading into said wilds. The barbacoa tacos and cachete (beef cheek) are the items to order, but keep an eye out out for their daily specials, such as the 99-cent shrimp tacos discounted from their usual $3 price. Also, keep an eye out for Bigfoot.
190 W. Sierra Madre Ave. Azusa, CA 91702
Closest Metro line and stop: Metro A Line - "Azusa Downtown Station."
Honorable Mention: Pupusas Isabel
Located on a neighborhood median, Pupusas Isabel is quite literally a home operation. The pupusas are handmade, stuffed, and griddled under an EZ Up canopy off of Gladstone. Get the revuelta with beans and cheese, a chicharron and cheese pupusa, or pork and cheese variety. Top your order with the vinegary curtido and smooth red salsa, and call it a night. If ingredients run low, don’t fret. Family members regularly arrive with Crock Pots from the house across the street to replenish the stand's diminishing stock. Truly a great,, unexpected find in Azusa; one that embodies the working-class spirit of this working-class city.
For address, please contact: (323) 972-9938
