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

All Elite Wrestling Lets Its Wrestlers Speak Freely – And The Fans (And Business) Are Responding

“Fuck ICE” chants, speaking up against the genocide in Gaza, a deathmatch with glass, barbed wire, and an exploding table. Welcome to the AEW.

March 28, 2026

L.A. TACO’s Protest Survival Guide

Here is a guide of protest essentials for new and seasoned protestors, including a breakdown of important rights to remember.

March 27, 2026

14th Death In ICE Custody This Year: Man Dies at Adelanto ICE Processing Center On Wednesday Night

A man in custody at Adelanto died in his bunk after experiencing difficulty breathing and overheating according to detainees. Officials told his family he died at a nearby hospital.

March 27, 2026

Weekend Eats: Sinaloan Tacos De Sesos Storm South Gate

Elsewhere, Yama Sushi Marketplace has classes on sushi making, sake, and soy sauce, for only $15.

March 27, 2026

Daily Memo: ICE Is Ramping Up Operations With New Vehicles and Coachella Valley Is Being Targeted This Week

From Tuesday through today, L.A. TACO has confirmed at least 23 people have been taken by ICE.

The Highs and Lows of BIG SLEEPS, Legendary Pico-Union Graffiti Artist Turned Kidney Disease Activist

Los Angeles artist David Cavazos, aka “BIG SLEEPS,” faces a battle of kidney disease after overcoming the trials and tribulations of street violence, including a gunshot to the femoral artery.

March 26, 2026
See all posts