L.A. TACO is embarking on its biggest mission yet: to create a taco guide for every single 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 that makes our fine city is unique in its own way. Check out our Artesia guide and history on our neighborhood page.
Today we’re in Lincoln Heights.
Lincoln Heights is one of L.A.’s oldest neighborhoods with a history as rich and underappreciated as its food. It was called East L.A. before East L.A. It’s home to several historical landmarks, and it was once known as “The Bedroom of The Pueblo.”
It was also home to the largest impromptu pandemic-defying night market of every street-food-loving person’s dream. The Avenue 26 market grew from a legendary taco stand to over 120 vendors faster than a drive up the hill to Dodger Stadium. That legendary taco stand, Avenue 26 Tacos, and all the vendors are gone now. After one L.A. Times writer called for it to be shut down, current Council Member, Gill Cedillo, obliged quicker than his still pending resignation over his now infamous recorded remarks in the anti-black, anti-indigenous, anti-Armenian, antisemitic, and homophobic-driven vile shit-talking during a redistricting meeting with Kevin De Leon, Ron Herrera, and Nury Martinez.
Even though Avenue 26 Tacos has moved on to Eagle Rock and the Arts District, and the rest of the vendors have found home in Pico Rivera and Imperial Highway, there are still plenty of tacos and places to enjoy if you find yourself lucky enough to spend some time in this peaceful nook and cranny of L.A.