Thanks to the large population of the Mexican immigrants in the San Fernando Valley, the taco scene here is bomb — but you have to know where to look.

Read on to check our list of taco spots in the Valley worth trying, and bring cash because a lot of these places are cash only.

1. Tacos El Venado, North Hollywood and Van Nuys

Tacos El Venado is the real deal — like, they-have-a-trompo real deal. They also have delicious aguas frescas and a slew of toppings for your tacos, like cucumbers, radish, spicy pickled onions, and a handful of salsas.

https://www.instagram.com/p/CIUmyPZnubF/

2. Tacos Reyes, Reseda, Van Nuys, and Winnetka

As you can see in the photo below, Tacos Reyes claims their stake as “Los mejores tacos del valle,” which in Spanish means “The best tacos in the Valley.” We don’t have the authority to make those claims, but we will say: They’re up there.

https://www.instagram.com/p/B1SfjCXBs7M/

3. Tacos El Tijuanazo, Van Nuys

Just in case it’s not obvious, at Tacos El Tijuanazo you’ll get tacos and birria Tijuana style. One of our Valley girl friends had Tacos El Tijuanazo cater her wedding and said “They were delicious. Everyone keeps asking where the truck is from.”

https://www.instagram.com/p/CItWzBRnB7_/

4. Angel’s Tijuana Tacos, North Hollywood, Sylmar, and Van Nuys

Out of its six locations, Angel’s Tijuana Tacos has three all over the Valley, making it the most convenient to get your hands on. Side note: It was so hard to pick just one photo because all of the food looks amazing.

https://www.instagram.com/p/CJR56N5Az0f/

5. Birria Del Valle, Reseda

Birria Del Valle is that spot you’ve been seeing on Instagram that has birria tacos and birria ramen. Check out their page to see for yourself. (Mmm…birria.)

https://www.instagram.com/p/CJEmZfODiiY/

6. El Abuelo Nacho, Chatsworth

You know the tacos are bound to be bomb when the taquería doesn’t have an Instagram. We had to track this down photo through hashtags…

https://www.instagram.com/p/BLKvPfhgArI/

7. Taquería Mi Ranchito, Sylmar

Taquería Mi Ranchito is closed until Jan. 14, 2021, but they’re honestly too bomb to leave out. We suggest setting a reminder to cop some asada and al pastor tacos once they open back up. Make sure to ask for the cebolla.

https://www.instagram.com/p/CIMigupAZR6/

8. Tacos El Primo, Granada Hills, Reseda, and Sherman Oaks

You might also know Tacos El Primo as Tacos Colima because that’s the style of the taco and what’s on their truck. We love Tacos El Primo because you get a free bean taco (like in the photo) when you order five or more tacos.

https://www.instagram.com/p/CDNNGOID7qi/

9. Tacos El Gordo El Original, Pacoima

If you, like us, have a lot of family in Vegas, don’t get this confused with the Tacos El Gordo from the 702. Tacos El Gordo El Original opened its doors in 2007 and has been serving the Pacoima community ever since.

https://www.instagram.com/p/CJUDtLQDk6z/

10. Tacos Chave, North Hollywood

As you know or have come to realize, there’s more than one style of taco (e.g. Tijuana, Colima). Tacos Chave does their tacos estilo Puebla and has some spicy salsas to take your taco to the next nevel.

https://www.instagram.com/p/B-QSgm_HnP3/

11. Pablito’s Tacos, Burbank and North Hollywood

While you all debate whether or not pineapple goes on pizza, we’ll happily eat our al pastor tacos with some piña — that’s the only way to do it, to be honest. We’re glad Pablito’s Tacos gets it.

https://www.instagram.com/p/CJZFBMuAwpx/

12. Birriería San Marcos, North Hills, North Hollywood, and Van Nuys

Birrería San Marcos has three locations but is only open at their Parthenia Street truck in North Hills until further notice. We want to keep it real: San Marcos is pricey, but you’ll taste where your money went.

https://www.instagram.com/p/CIZPdXhAB-D/

13. Poncho’s Taquería, Panorama City

Whether you get a mulita, a shrimp taco, or a torta, you can’t go wrong ordering from Poncho’s. They also have some delicious-looking asada fries, if that’s your sort of thing.

https://www.instagram.com/p/B3kvi86gD6A/

14. Leo’s Tacos Truck, North Hills

Leo’s may not have started in the Valley, but they at least recognized that they needed to be part of the taco game here. You can find them on Parthenia Street and get whatever meat you want, from asada to buche and cabeza to tripas. They really do have it all.

https://www.instagram.com/p/CGvi7rrLLyh/

15. Tacos Tacuba, Sherman Oaks

We found out about Tacos Tacuba scrolling through San Fernando Valley Eats on Instagram and we just have to say: we’re so glad they put us on to this taco truck.

https://www.instagram.com/p/CIZWDjFjB_m/

 

Author

As a writer and first-generation Mexican American born and raised in the San Fernando Valley, I'm passionate about celebrating the communities in the 818. That passion fueled the founding of Viva the Valley in November 2020 and it continues to fuel its upkeeping. Full time, I'm a writer and editor at California State University, Northridge. I also am a freelancer and work with editors at websites and magazines as well as small business owners who want to share more on their business blogs.

Exit mobile version