Tacos in Southern California
Tacos are not my favorite food...except when I'm in SoCal. I don't know why, but when I'm here I crave them all the time. Suddenly everyday is Taco Tuesday. Maybe it's all that sunshine- I mean, after all, tacos are meant to be eaten outside. Here are some of the ones we enjoyed the most, from from LA to Palm Springs...
Cha-Cha's - 26393 Redlands Blvd, Redlands, CA
Excellent tacos this way.
This small roadside joint is our absolute favorite and we keep coming back over and over again. The handmade tortillas are absolutely perfect, the flavors are complex and delicious, and they are served with an addictive spicy red sauce (spicy enough that you'll be happy you ordered the horchata). These babies are messy so make sure you grab lots of napkins!
They may not be the most beautiful, but they are the most delicious.
Tropicale Restaurant & Coral Seas Lounge - 330 E Amado Rd, Palm Springs, CA
Shrimp tacos for brunch? Of course! We loved this classic Palm Springs haunt for it's mid century tropical vibe, the friendly service and the fabulous patio. The loaded tacos themselves were as colorful and delightful as the surroundings. These will set you back $16 (not to mention cocktails), so wear a Hawaiian shirt or a big hat and make a day of it!
Don't forget the bottomless mimosas.
Alberto's - 19582 Temescal Canyon Rd, Corona, CA
Loved across SoCal, this chain feels like a mom & pop operation and delivers solid taco goodness. The portions are huge so you will leave full and happy.
It's nacho business.
La Isla Bonita - 400 Rose Ave, Venice, CA
Our list would not be complete without a taco truck, and many would agree this is one of the best in LA. The flavors are clean and bright and the seafood (that's what we came for) is so fresh it tastes like it came right out of the ocean. The service is fast and friendly, but this place gets busy so you'll likely be balancing your place on the side of the truck or finding a spot on the sidewalk with the other La Isla Bonita fans. If you've read my post A Full Day of Eating in LA, then you know that the real star here is the incredible ceviche tostada, so be sure to get a few of those next to your taco fill. Cash only...if you forget your dough, the closest ATM is in the dispensary across the street.
(Almost) too pretty to eat.
I cry tears of longing for you, beautiful ceviche tostada.
Wondering where I got my Taco Love t-shirt? I love tacos so much, I designed it myself during one of my binges. You can pick one up at our threadless.com artist shop!
And finally, this bumper sticker we spotted pretty much sums up my mood (and the few extra pounds I put on) in SoCal:
