Skip to Content
Pasadena

Tacos La Estrella ~ Highland Park

estrella3.jpg

1202 E. 1st Street ~ Los Angeles

estrella9.jpg
estrella4.jpg
estrella1.jpg

Like the sun, La Estrella's chrome body armor glimmers with the blinding light of a hundred tiny stars. We stop for tacos while navigating the serpentine length of Figueroa from Pasadena back to downtown LA. The big blue taco truck looks at home here- pedestrian friendly and casual, busy enough but not too busy. No one is in a hurry, and the winter sun makes me warm and loose like a snake on a hot rock.

Estrella.jpg
Who is this taco man! If my eyes don't deceive me, he was painted by Raul Balthazar. I am hungry, and taco man looks to me like an edible chocolate statue. Maybe that's why he is getting ready to peg me with a hot taco. Is he carrying sticks, bones, or taquitos? He says, "What kind of taco would you like to taste today?" We ask for pastor, carnitas and cabeza.

estrella6.jpg

La Estrella cooked up some generously apportioned and healthy tasting tacos that satisfied our afternoon taco pangs; and, the price is right. Speaking of price, we asked the taco chef about this message written on the adjacent telephone unit.

estrella5.jpg

Sorry, folks, but carne asada tacos are not free from La Estrella every Sunday. How I wish upon a star. I imagine the local buddies chilling out curb side would be happy for free tacos as well. They asked if we would take this picture of them posing for Taco. Salud, "... since all strangers and wanderers are sacred in the sight of Zeus,..." (Homer).
estrella1-.jpg

Stay in touch

Sign up for our free newsletter

More from L.A. TACO

This Weekend: New Carnitas in SELA, Black Dough Pizza in Altadena, Indoor Mini Golf and Bathtub Gin in Santa Monica

You can drink cocktails from a toy bathtub while playing mini-golf, before you get your black dough pizza at a Black-owned pizza pop-up.

December 6, 2024

Skid Row Nonprofit ‘Fighting to End Homelessness’ Hires Former City Attorney Mike Feuer, the ‘Architect’ of Anti-Homeless Law

“I saw it and thought, this can not be that Mike Feuer,” the source said during an interview with L.A. TACO. “Anyone who is familiar with homeless issues in L.A. knows him as kind of a central villain.”

December 5, 2024

L.A.’s Best Pozoles Come In Red, Green, and White. And Sometimes With Shrimp, ‘Shrooms, and Jackfruit, Too

L.A. is a city of legendary pozoles, if you know where to look. Vegan, chicken, pork, pata, and even jackfruit. Each pozole on this list has its own distinct identity. All will warm your body and soul.

December 5, 2024

Here Are The 11 Tacos That Made The L.A. Times 101 List

Among the new school and classics featured in our hometown paper's prestigious annual list, there's a fine-dining chef who makes tacos in secret.

December 4, 2024

Tacos Neza Brings Its Handmade Tortillas to New Location in Old Pasadena

The taqueria sells 19 varieties of tacos and started five years ago on The Walk of Fame.

December 4, 2024
See all posts