L.A. TACO is embarking on its biggest mission yet: to create a reliable taco and food guide for every neighborhood in Los Angeles! Along the way, we will also be releasing brief histories of each neighborhood to understand L.A. a little more and why each and every neighborhood makes our fine city unique. Check out the rest of our history and food guides on our neighborhood page.
Downey, land of mini-mansions, the site of the oldest McDonald’s still in operation, and home to California’s first indoor shrimp farm. Referred to as the “Mexican Beverly Hills,” there’s one thing this city does have in common with the real Beverly Hills: you won't find a taco stand within its city limits.
Nevertheless, you can learn a lot about the demographics of Downey from the tacos offered within its limits. From the humblest, Sinaloan and Jalisco-style tacos of its working-class folks, to the poorly constructed, twelve-dollar tacos at pretentious upscale restaurants serving the mini-mansion crowds. Somewhere in between them, you’ll find younger taquerías serving the standard taco offerings, only with the addition of higher-grade meats.
While this city may boast about the luxuries it does have, it lacks the luxury of having street taco stands at night. So if you’re in need of a taco, we’ve navigated through its many taquerías and restaurants to create a guide to Downey’s very best.