Their arrival in Los Angeles will be characteristically low-key. They’re going with what they know: a truck parked at the Line Hotel in Koreatown. An eventual brick-and-mortar restaurant is also part of the plan.
The truck, called Hot Tacos, will have a less regional menu than their Austin locales: taco bowls, tacos (including migas), quesadillas and nachos. The idea, the sisters say, is to serve high-quality Mexican food at a reasonable price — $11 for a steak taco bowl, for example — occupying a middle ground between the fancy places and the street carts.
Unless I’m looking at a different version I think it’s still just La Azteca in East LA proper. Macheen and George’s are both Boyle Heights, which I believe was the gripe with the Times too.
I did have a pretty excellent one today at Great White, which is on Eater’s list but not on the Times’. Tater tots inside are an easy win, but everything else was done super well too.
And had a pretty disappointing one the other day at Angry Egret (part of a string of disappointments there, unfortunately. This probably belongs in the other thread and maybe I’ll X-post, but I desperately want to love that place but it’s just never quite right.)
I’ve only been once, but I have not been particularly tempted to return. It was tasty enough, but the whole seemed strangely less than the sum of the parts.
Finally tried the breakfast burrito at Roxy’s Liquor and Mini Mart. Kinda mixed results. First, they don’t use Choriman chorizo any more (boo hiss). Second, it was kind of more expensive than I like to pay and had rice in it which is not my jam for breakfast burritos.
That said, it wasn’t a bad burrito, just not my preference for the above points. I won’t be getting it again but it was well made enough that I’ll probably try something else from them when I’m in the area (which is often).
It’s true that parking lot totally sux, though. Street parking seemed like a better option next time.
So the wait was more 2 hours than the 1.5 estimate.
These folks got SLAMMED today. They ran out of queso, sauces, and a couple of other things.
They could not have been more nice or appreciative of the EaterLA piece (so thanks @FarleyElliott). They just expected to get slammed tomorrow rather than today.
The cheese pull on that breakfast burrito was nice! One of the chowpups said he’d have liked more cheese (but he is also an excessive little chowpup). The crispy tater tots retain their crunch, the eggs are rich and creamy…the sausage is okay. Drizzle on some of their slightly smoky and charred salsa for a refreshing hit and it’s a pretty good breakfast burrito.
The “traditional” Philly cheesesteak was also pretty tasty. I believe Chef is actually from Philadelphia so there’s a special place in his heart for this one. You actually are given the option to include lettuce and tomato if you want (I politely declined…this is a cheesesteak!). Steak is seasoned and well cooked. There’s a hit of grilled veg and a nice amount of melted cheese. The roll likely steamed in the box because I had to run home for a meeting, but I liked what I had.
I dropped off lunch to another chowpup at work and this was his response (it makes me chuckle):
Is it a destination? I’m not sure, yet. I’d like to give them a fair shake based on a day where the kitchen is fully stocked and is able to operate normally.
Would I drop by for one if I was in the neighborhood? Yes.
I’ll let the hypebeast run rampant for the next few weeks before coming back midweek for another try.
Went back today and it seems that the crowds have died down.
Shortly before noon, the whole menu was available.
Each item was a hit.
The Philly Cheesesteak with the queso is giant. It would easily feed 2-3 people. I really like their queso. It’s cheesy, creamy, and has a kick of Hatch chile.
The breakfast burrito has both the queso, spicy Italian sausage and crispy tater tots. Lots of textures and flavors with fresh salsa on the side. I feel like this burrito may have gotten bigger since I last had it.
The LA dog is a solid hot dog with all the fixin’s of an LA street dog. Peppers, onions, mayo, mustard, ketchup and plenty of bacon.
Everything is cooked to order. My order took 15 minutes, so if you’re short on time, call and order ahead of time.
Southern California has good breakfast burritos everywhere. It’s the capital of breakfast burritos. Probably some really good ones in the Valley area. I am always happy with the ones offered at ____ Grill that also serves burgers, Mexican food, and teriyaki but also love the ones going for creativity and more flavor. Southern California is also the capital for donuts, cheeseburgers, Mexican food outside of Mexico, almost all things Asian. I am missing more. Also the capital of food trends that the east coast and the rest of the US likes to take from cough Nashville hot chicken cough birria cough smashburgers cough poke cough mochi donuts. Excuse me something got stuck lol