When L.A. Taco started in 2006, we were gifted an original work of art by a friend of a friend. Taco Man (above) instantly became our mascot. The character resonated around the web and he&#8217;s been seen all over the world, online and off. People have added to his legend, giving him interesting features such…

The Internet Adventures of Taco Man

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<p><span style="font-weight: 400">Blending her time in the kitchen as a line cook with her passion for storytelling, Lauren Bethke writes about community, inclusivity and the city she loves the most—Los Angeles.</span></p>


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Lauren Bethke

a mistress at her desk next to BDSM materials

People

A Kinky Afternoon with L.A.’s Legendary 72-Year-Old Dominatrix

<p>Stephanie Mendez is an Emmy Award-winning journalist and producer based in the LBC. Her work has appeared on ABC News, TODAY, E! News, SPIN, and more.</p>
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Stephanie Mendez

a man in a jersey posing at a desk with a gaming computer

Sports

Ten L.A. Gamers Tell Us How to Make Money Playing Video Games For a Living

Burbank’s Annual Latin Clown Convention Made Me Embrace My Inner Payasa

<p>Izzy Ramirez is a Los Angeles-based staff reporter with L.A. TACO, documenting immigration enforcement and state power as it unfolds on the ground. Their work centers real-time alerts and long-term public archiving throughout the Southern California region.</p>


Izzy Ramirez

a man sits in scrubs that say "1-800-AUTOPSY"

Meet the Legendary Chicano Behind 1-800-AUTOPSY Who ID’d the Night Stalker

<p>Julianne Le graduated from UCLA in 2025 with a major in English and minor in Asian American Studies. Maybe it&#8217;s because she isn&#8217;t jaded yet, but she is super eager to peek into the overlooked corners of L.A. and write about them. Le is the former editor-in-chief of UCLA&#8217;s Pacific Ties Newsmagazine and was a finalist for the Associated Collegiate Press&#8217; &#8220;Podcast of the Year&#8221; award in 2024.</p>


Julianne Le

a group of comedians wearing white tops and jeans

These L.A. Comedy Stars Sprang From One of the First Ever YouTube Channels

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<div dir="ltr">Shylah Featherstone is a journalism student at Cerritos College and an intern at L.A. TACO, where she covers food, culture, and community stories across Los Angeles. Passionate about amplifying underrepresented voices, she hopes to build a career in multimedia journalism that connects people through thoughtful storytelling.</div>
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Shylah Featherstone

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Food

This South Central Native Reveals Black L.A.’s Best Hidden Gems through Food Tours

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Celebrating the Taco Lifestyle in Los Angeles, CA

L.A. TACO

<p>Sam Ribakoff is a reporter, journalism teacher, communicator for labor unions, and a nice guy from Long Beach.</p>


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Sam Ribakoff

a drawing of Karen Bass and Nithya Raman looking at one another

Politics

The No-BS Guide to What Karen Bass and Nithya Raman Plan to Do If They’re Elected

<div>Ivan Ehlers is an Ecuadorian-American cartoonist and writer. He is a regular contributor to <i>The New Yorker</i>, <i>MAD Magazine</i> and the <i>Los Angeles Times</i>.</div>
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<div>IG: <a id="m_-8957504711371111195plusReplyChip-0" class="gmail_plusreply"></a>@ivan_ehlers</div>


Ivan Ehlers

Sunday Taquitos #33: One of the Good Ones (Plus Bonus Taquito!)

<p>Professional punk and Editor-In-Chief for James Beard Award-winning L.A. TACO. Associate Producer for JBA-winning Las Crónicas Del Taco. Former restaurant scout for Jonathan Gold. Co-author of &#8220;Oaxaca: Home Cooking From the Heart of Mexico (2019, Abrams) and &#8220;Asada: The Art of Mexican-Style Grilling&#8221; (2023, Abrams).</p>


Javier Cabral

Site News

Try L.A. TACO’s New Beer, An ‘OG Kush’ and ’24K Gold’-Infused West Coast Pilsner, at Our Long Beach Release Party

<p>One of L.A. TACO&#8217;s co-founders, Hadley Tomicki is a writer and editor on food, travel, and culture whose work has appeared in the Los Angeles Times, New York Magazine, UrbanDaddy, High Times, and many other places.</p>


Hadley Tomicki

Taco Members Only

Where to Find East African-Style Barbecue with Kenyan Flatbread This Weekend

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L.A. Taco Guides

Subs on Subs: The 11 Best Sandwiches in L.A. According to Gimps and Submissives

<p class="p1">An award-winning journalist covering ICE and immigration raids. Host of the Daily Memo. ‘Where Memo Torres Eats’ on Apple Maps. Seen on Netflix, occasionally on KCRW. 3rd-gen landscaper. Proud son of an immigrant. Golden Bear.</p>


Memo Torres

The City of L.A. Leads in One Thing: ICE Kidnappings

L.A. TACO STAFF

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Chef Josh Gil holding up his albacore tostada.