Nestled in a strip mall, this taco spot serves exceptional tacos with fresh blue corn tortillas and a lively outdoor seating vibe, perfect for any taco lover.
"Provided food to first responders and firefighters at multiple locations during the fires." - Bill Esparza
"This strip mall Highland Park taquería takes a more-is-more approach with its fully loaded tacos. Each one comes on a Dodger-blue corn tortilla layered with crispy griddled cheese, diced onions, cilantro, crema, cotija, guacamole, and a mesquite-grilled protein of your choice. (Oh, and the option to add seven different salsas and hibiscus-pickled onions, too.) If this sounds like a messy mountain to you, you're not incorrect. But it's a mess worth making. Order the Villa's Trio, a cheesy, three-taco sampler that includes grilled asada, chorizo with potato, and chicken with black beans. " - brant cox, garrett snyder, sylvio martins
"Villa's Tacos makes what might be the most over-the-top tacos in Los Angeles. (And given the guide you're reading, some of the best, too.) Their questions come on Dodger-blue corn tortillas crusted with griddled cheese, which serve as cradles for the onions, cilantro, crema, cotija, guacamole, and mesquite-grilled meats piled on top. If this sounds like a messy taco, you're not wrong. But it's a mess worth making. Order the Villa's Trio sampler that includes grilled asada, a spicy chorizo-potato hash, and smoky chicken with black beans—either at their original location in Highland Park, or Grand Central Market. " - sylvio martins, garrett snyder, brant cox, nikko duren
"The last few years have seen incredible growth for Villa’s Tacos which started as a street stand before opening permanent locations in Highland Park and Grand Central Market. The taco spot, which received a Michelin Bib Gourmand nod in 2023, is known for its fresh blue corn tortillas which hit the grill with cheese until its laced edges go crispy. Try the sampler plate that comes with three queso tacos for under $15." - Rebecca Roland, Eater Staff
"This brick-and-mortar marks a milestone for a chef who first started serving out of his grandmother’s house. The signature queso taco is instantly recognizable, built on a blue corn masa tortilla stacked with refried beans, onion, cilantro, guacamole, cotija cheese, crema and a melted skirt of Monterey Jack. Variations with asada and chorizo are favorites, with vegan options on offer as well. Colorful, messy and filling, these tacos thrive on their own but also sing with the homemade salsas, some of which are ferociously spicy." - MICHELIN Guide
