Skip to Content
News

Highland Park’s Charlie’s Tacos Returns to York Boulevard After City Removes ‘Unauthorized’ Red Paint

It is still unknown who painted the curb to attempt to kick out Charlie’s Tacos from vending on the same block the truck has been on for years, but the taquero has returned to its location to sell its famous birria, tacos al pastor, and other Mexican street food. 

2:30 PM PDT on August 9, 2024

Photo via: Charlie’s Tacos

Two weeks ago, on Sunday, July 22, Charlie Cardenas, owner of Charlie’s Tacos in Highland Park, arrived at his location in front of the CVS on York and Eagle Rock Boulevard, just like he does every other day, only this time, the curb where he usually parks his food truck was painted red.

While Cardenas is no stranger to having to move from location to location due to painted curbs, city rules, and the occasional issue with neighboring businesses, something about this situation did not sit well with him. 

Years of going through similar situations gave him a hunch, and in part, he was right. 

At the time, L.A. TACO reached out to LADOT to see if they knew any details about when the curb was painted and for what reasons. To which LADOT responded with:

“LADOT installed a red curb at York & Ave 50 as part of the bike rack installation at this location. The red curb near Eagle Rock Blvd does not appear to be an authorized installation. LADOT crews will review this location to confirm and remove it if it is determined to be unauthorized.”

Photos via: Charlie Cardenas. On Wednesday, Cardenas contacted L.A. TACO to confirm that the red curbs had been painted back to grey. Sending photos showing the sidewalk freshly painted.

After hearing that the city was possibly not responsible for the red curb, Cardenas disclosed that he believed it could have been one of the businesses in the area. However, as of last week, that has yet to be proven true. 

L.A. TACO followed up with LADOT this week, and they confirmed that a crew went out to inspect the location, saying: 

“The red curb near Eagle Rock Blvd was unauthorized and removed/repainted at 11:30 a.m. this (Wednesday) morning." 

It is still unknown who painted the curb, but Charlie’s Tacos has returned to its location to sell its famous birria, tacos al pastor, and other Mexican dishes. 

Stay in touch

Sign up for our free newsletter

More Stories

Exclusive: Video Footage Appears to Show Drinking Water Contaminated With Worms Inside Adelanto ICE Processing Center

Detainees at Adelanto claim that staff have provided them with water from an unknown source that is routinely contaminated, despite a federal judge’s orders to provide detainees with clean, potable water. A video L.A. TACO received backs this up.

A New Backyard-Only Brazilian Steakhouse Opens In Pasadena

“I am trying to recreate an atmosphere that is very close to a backyard barbecue in Brazil,” the chef tells L.A. TACO. “People can expect good music, lots of protein: beef ribs, steaks, sausages, and veggies."

July 31, 2026

Update: FIFA Cancels Proposed Investment Scheme After Global Outrage, Backlash

FIFA President Gianni Infantino’s greed finally pushed everyone to the limit as UEFA threatens a boycott of all FIFA tournaments, including the World Cup, and CONCACAF have formally rejected FIFA’s latest proposal.

July 30, 2026

Remember the 99 Cents Only Art Show? Artists Allege They Got Ripped Off.

A number of local artists involved in a heavily attended, viral art show in a former 99 Cents Only Store tell L.A. TACO they’re still yet to be paid for the work that was sold.

July 29, 2026

Who’s At Risk of Being Detained at Airports by ICE? What We Know.

After good samaritans prevented ICE from detaining a Vietnamese-Australian man at Harry Reid International Airport in Las Vegas, community watch groups are receiving more calls about airport targets.

July 29, 2026

A California DJ Recounts the Horrors of Immigrant Detention at Otay Mesa

Diana Ledesma alleges forced pregnancy tests, a potential infectious disease outbreak, and human-sized cages during her nearly four-month imprisonment at the San Diego facility.