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

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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

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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>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

Peads & Barnetts pork chop with king beans and salsa molcajete at Rustic Canyon. Photo by Hadley Tomicki for L.A. TACO.

Taco Members Only

The Westside’s Most Thrilling New Modern Mexican Restaurant Is . . . Rustic Canyon!?

<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

L.A. TACO STAFF

L.A. Taco Guides

The 19 Best Carne Asada Tacos in L.A.

<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

ICE WATCH Newsletter: Over 170,000 Salvadorans With T.P.S. Protections Are Safe, For Now

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Seven L.A. Tattoo Artists Supporting Palestine Through Ink and Flash Sheets

ICE Watch Newsletter: ICE’s Demolition Derby

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Chef Josh Gil holding up his albacore tostada.