Skip to Content
Art

My Favorite Taco ~ Rafael Cardenas

Rafael Cardenas quit his day job over a year ago and became a fulltime photographer specializing in capturing the people and places of the city of Los Angeles. In 2010 he started the PhotogRAFA: 365 project, where he took at least one photo a day for an entire year. Now he opens his second gallery show, "Boldly Boyle Heights" which opens this Saturday at 5pm at Primera Taza: 1850 E. First Street in Boyle Heights. The video above by our friend Jessica 2Cents is a great introduction to Rafael's work, and we've also included some of his 2010 photos below. You can find many more photos, plus Rafael's writing on www.eastsiderwriter.com. So, Rafael, what's your favorite taco?

My favorite Taco spot has been, for a long time, La Que Si Llena, on Cesar Chavez. It's a downhill walk from my home and i've been eating there for about 15 years. They use two full size torillas STUFFED with meat. and wrapped in paper to keep them from popping open. $1 each! Two is enough. If i eat three i can't breeef...every time i bring someone new there, they order four tacos, ignoring my advice. they never finish. I always order uno de lengua y uno de cabeza.

BUT - my NEW favorite place  Antojitos Carmen has to be mentioned - when i eat here, i have Tres tacos de papa for $2.50 and una quesadilla de flor de calabasa for $3, y un cafe de holla. i love this place. it's my new favorite place to meet for lunch.



Stay in touch

Sign up for our free newsletter

More from L.A. TACO

L.A. TACO Neighborhood Guides: Chinatown

A stroll through Chinatown feels like slipping between the shifting planes of time and space. Here are our recommendations for places to eat and shop, along with a look into its dark history.

DAILY MEMO: Border Patrol Attack and Follow Community Watchers Home While We See A New Raid Approach Unfold

Border Patrol and ICE took at least 15 people from the Southland, mostly from Los Angeles, Compton, and Lynwood.

January 27, 2026

How a Typical Day of Border Patrol ‘Cluster Raids’ Plays Out in Southern California

As Border Patrol invades communities, Rapid Response networks try to prevent as many abductions as possible by monitoring federal activity.

January 27, 2026

DAILY MEMO: ICE Continues to Use CHP and Local Police Resources Despite California’s Sanctuary State Policy

Around 40 people were kidnapped from Santa Paula to Riverside, with more than half from the City of L.A. in the last three days. Plus, are ICE and CBP adjusting their strategy again?

January 26, 2026

Churches as Battlegrounds: ICE Agents Raid One Church, As Feds Prosecute Protestors at Another

During service, Border Patrol agents detained two men painting the exterior of a Christian church in Compton on January 17.

January 26, 2026

Bill Essayli Asks Public to Spread Misinformation to Southern California Rapid Response Networks

The OC Rapid Response Network noted a rise in "profane and harassing” phone calls "reflecting an intent to intimidate and disrupt” since First Assistant US Attorney Essayli shared his post.

January 25, 2026
See all posts