Explore

Footer - NEW

Legal Footer

Main - NEW

Mobile

Become a subscriber today to get unlimited access

Thanks for reading!

This is member's only content.

Members get unlimited access to all of our stories, along with incredible perks like free tacos, invites to our events, access to our mobile app, and much more!

Become a Member of L.A. TACO

Free registration

Please register for L.A. TACO to Vote 

Register to continue

Please Register (For Free) To Read this Story

Register (Free) To Read This Guide

Register (Free) To Read the Daily Memo

Celebrating the Taco Lifestyle in Los Angeles, CA

L.A. TACO

Community

Crime

Details

History

Homelessness

Horticulture

Landmark

Media

Obituary

People

Politics

Shops

Sports

Transport

Urban Wilderness

Watering Holes

Los Angeles

Kamren Curiel is a fourth-generation Chicana born in East L.A. and raised in South San Gabriel. She&#8217;s written for the L.A.Times, Latina, LAist, KCET, Huffington Post, and was the L.A. Editor for Remezcla.com.

Kamren Curiel

‘Spanish Sin Pena’ (Spanish Without Shame) Online Judge-Free Classes Prove That It Is Never Too Late to Learn Proper Spanish

One of L.A. TACO&#8217;s co-founders, Hadley Tomicki is a writer and editor on food, travel, and culture whose work has appeared in the Los Angeles Times, New York Magazine, UrbanDaddy, High Times, and many other places.

Hadley Tomicki

The Mexico-U.S. Border Reopened Today. Here’s Why This Is Important to Tijuana’s Food Scene and Mexican Nationals

Proposed ‘Julius Levitt Square’ Seeks to Counter Erasure of Jewish History In Boyle Heights

Erwin Recinos is a seasoned visual artist with an eye for capturing life as a working commuter aboard public transportation in and around Los Angeles. For 20 years now, Recinos has been documenting the urban landscape, street culture, and Hispanic communities of Los Angeles utilizing his daily routine and the city of Los Angeles as an inspiration. Recinos also works with popular food and event websites such as LATACO.com and Eater LA to capture the cuisine and culture that is so important to the city of Los Angeles and across Southern California.

Erwin Recinos

Featured

Meet the Puppet Master From Tijuana Behind ‘The Saddest Clown in Los Angeles’ Gangster Marionette, ‘El Triste’

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.”

Janette Villafana

Street Vending

Meet ‘Succs 2 Be You,’ the Street Vendor From Moreno Valley Who Quit His 22-Year-Job Pouring Concrete to Sell Plantitas

Melissa was born in Moreno Valley, raised in Arizona, and recently returned from living in México, the motherland. She lives by the words: “siempre en la calle.” USC and Fulbright alum, but don’t tell her to &#8220;Fight On.&#8221;

Melissa Montalvo

From T.J. to L.A., Meet the Border-Raised Mujer Who Became an International Sports Broadcasting Star

In Long Beach, a Mujer-Owned Tortilla DIY Non-Profit  Raises Money for L.A.’s Homeless and More

Professional punk and Editor-In-Chief for James Beard Award-winning L.A. TACO. Associate Producer for JBA-winning Las Crónicas Del Taco. Former restaurant scout for Jonathan Gold. Co-author of &#8220;Oaxaca: Home Cooking From the Heart of Mexico (2019, Abrams) and &#8220;Asada: The Art of Mexican-Style Grilling&#8221; (2023, Abrams).

Javier Cabral

From Sonora and Sinaloa to the Mountains, Meet the Paisas of Lake Arrowhead

Laura is a desmadrosa, a product of East Los, an educator, and a hood establishment connoisseur.

Laura Tejeda

How a DACA Recipient From East L.A. Hustled His Way to Growing and Owning His Own Fruit Stand at the Original Farmers Market

Ricky Powell, Pioneering Photographer Who Captured Hip-Hop Culture in the 80s and 90s, Has Passed Away