There is a famous journalism proverb: Show me what articles you read, and I'll show you who are.
There isn't an actual proverb, but you can really tell a lot about a city and publication based on the most widely read articles on the city's only street-level food and news publication. This year flew by, unsurprisingly, and L.A. TACO was there for both every mind-blowingly delicious taco hidden in the corner of a neighborhood and controversy involving some of the city's most powerful people.
Here are the top 19 stories read by our loyal readers and supporters. As always, thank you so much for your support. Without you, our editorial would cease to be—straight up. These stories are only possible because you believe in us and our street-level, inclusive journalism. In this age of ever-decreasing attention spans and algorithms that favor videos over articles, L.A. TACO thanks you for every single second that you spend clicking and scrolling through our little editorial trompo.
1) Latina in Ojai Creates a Petition, Accusing New Mexican ‘Tres Hermanas’ Restaurant of Cultural Appropriation (Update)
This story was about a petition going around in Ojai against a New Mexican restaurant opening in town.
2) Holy Moly! It’s the Torrance Strip Mall from Friday After Next, 20 Years Later
Is Friday one of the best restaurants filmed in the 'hoods of Los Angeles? Our readers thought so. It was the second most popular story we've published this year. Shout out to Jared Cowan, our film location buff who stays bringing us these gems.
3) After Paying $18M in Taxes, Jungle Boys Raided For All Its Cash In Boyle Heights
Never has blazing it been so intertwined with the law as it was in 2022
4) The Best Tamales in Long Beach Can Be Found In a Home Depot Parking Lot
In a city full of Maseca tortilla flour, this tamalero in Long Beach stands out for nixtamalizing his masa.
5) Headlines: Leon Bridges Creates a Taco With Benefits; Sublime Releasing Cannabis Line
We launched our headlines this year, and they have been some of our most popular articles every day.
6) FBI Whistleblower Found Dead At El Sereno High School
Conspiracy theories, come one, come all.
7) Why Everyone Seems to Be Panicking About L.A.’s New Sixth Street Bridge
If you grew up anywhere east of the Los Angeles river, then you get it. If not, then read our explainer on why everyone was going crazy over the new 6th Street Bridge.
8) The Super Bowl Brought ICE Agents to Los Angeles to Target Street Vendors On One Of Their Busiest Weekend
Are you really surprised?
Photo: Janette Villafana for L.A. Taco.
9) This South Central Mom Quit Her Job and Opened a Mangonada Stand to Make a Better Life For Her Daughter
This mangonada vendor is on a mission.
10) The Nine Best Pho Spots In Los Angeles and Orange County
It's not always cold in Southern California but when it is, a bowl of pho just hits differently.
11) Headlines: Local Punks Allegedly Set Fire to Neo-Nazi Metal Band’s Truck While Playing an ‘Invite-Only’ Show in East L.A.; Jaywalking Decriminalized In California
Nazi punks, fuck off.
12) The L.A. TACO Voter Guide: A ‘Progressive Sheriff’ Candidate and a ‘People’s Judge’
Stay informed.
13) Before Recent Wave of Train Cargo Thefts, Union Pacific Laid Off Unspecified Number of Its Railroad Police Force
This was one of the biggest L.A. stories this year.
14) Rene “Ray” Ramirez, Pit-Master Behind Southeast LA’s Ray’s BBQ, Dies At 47
RIP to a southeast L.A. barbecue legend.
15) L.A. Gym Owner and Fitness Influencer Draws Heat Over Racist Comments Against Agua Fresca Street Vendor
Angelenos called out a bunch of racist assholes this year and we were here for it all.
16) Surrounded By SWAT and K9 Units, Suspect Escapes Cops and Armored Vehicles in El Segundo, After Hours Long Standoff
Oops.
17) Cecil Hotel’s Historic Room Rate Sign Gets White-Washed, Angering Preservationists
Don't mess with our haunted hotels.
18) L.A.’s Top Street Vendors and Artists Unite to Create One-of-a-Kind ‘Legal’ Tamal Carts
It was a big year for street vendors.
19) Update: Despite Past Controversies, A Boyle Heights Street Will Be Named For Vicente Fernandez After All
Chente still got his street in Boyle Heights.
