[dropcap size=big]T[/dropcap]acos 1986 has found a new home outside of popular K-Town bar Mama Lion. The month-old Tijuana-style taqueria was on the fast track to best new taco stand when its original Hollywood location was shut down abruptly after a moment in the limelight.
Now they are back – a fact I personally confirmed by doing my duty as an Angeleno and stumbling through the streets at 2 am looking for tacos.
Tacos 1986 seemed like the perfect choice with TJ-style tacos that are always beautifully smoky. The new location near the corner of Western and 6th is perfect for pre-game snack before a night of drinking or a revelation after the night comes to a close.The scene at Tacos 1986 after last call is a drunken chaos but it is one that they manage without blinking.
A woman shouts slang at Jorge “El Joy” Alvarez-Tostado as he mans the al pastor trompo like a skilled swordsman. He ends her shouting by handing her some dark red al pastor tacos wrapped in paper. At a distance it seems like everything is going downhill but they wrangle the drunken patrons quickly. After eating, each customer sings words of satisfaction and praise.