El Taurino

this is where u need to be when it’s late af and u drunk af and u hungry af. always get a carne asada burrito. the the best thing for when u need to get the most filling delicious thing inside of you as fast as possible (other than a danger dog) and for tacos get the lengua which is beef tongue (hey! don’t knock it till u try it! beef tongue is the SHIT) super tender and juicy. It’s ALWAYS POPPIN. even when it’s 3am it’s fucking LIT. the only downside is they stingy as fuck with their sauces. and u have to pay for water so bring ur own fanta or whatever. also u need to pay attention very closely to when they call the numbers cuz it’s p hard to understand them sometimes and sometimes they just say it in Spanish cuz they dgaf.
they have a free parking lot and I’ve never really had trouble finding a spot. if you’re partying in LA, el taurino is a spot u can’t miss out on. sure there’s lot of amazing taco trucks around but there’s just something beautiful about this place that’s keeps bringing me and my trash friends back here. maybe it’s the creepy half bodied bulls on the wall, or the ample seating. whatever it’s great! #itslit #iwrotethisreviewdrunkobviously

The slogan on the napkins here is «¡El Mejor Lugar Para Comer» which translates to «the best place to eat». Lol… Yeah right, more like the absolute worst place to eat!
I’ve been here 3 times. The first time was ok. The second time was less ok and the third time was upsetting.
On my third visit I ordered 3 tacos to go. For three small tacos I had to wait thirty minutes! On top of that they screwed up my order!
The people preparing the food have no sense of order, everything is disorganized and it’s a complete mess in there. I wasn’t the only one that was upset for having to wait so long for my food.
Making matters worse the place wasn’t even crowded so it wasn’t like the staff was swamped with a massive amount of orders. There were no more than 10 customers in line.
There was also a muddy looking pool of water just sitting in front of the counter where you pick up your orders. It looked like a health code violation and none of the workers gave enough of a shit to clean it up. As a matter of fact the whole place was dirty! If I wanted to eat on dirty floors I could do that outside in the middle of the parking lot! This place is absolutely disgusting!
I’m pissed and if I continue writing this review I’m going to offend somebody.
I’m never coming to this BS establishment again!!!
I would advise you to avoid this place at all costs!

El Taurino for me has always been a guilty pleasure and on certain weekend nights it’s a dinner and a show… One would only come here or want to come here if you’re super drunk because the food when drunk is utterly amazing… Can’t say that I’ve ever had the food here completely sober but even then I’m sure it’s pretty great. On the flip side on any given weekend night after 2am, chances are you might witness a brawl between a bunch of asian dudes or hispanic dudes, hell you might get sucked into the brawl too. Beware though because the security will swiftly spray you down with pepper spray with no f*cking mercy…
No matter the distance whether you’re close or across the restaurant these fools are ninjas with that pepper spray…

4.5 stars f possible. The only really problem is that the wait is too log when you’re really stoned at 2am. But you know what that makes it 5 stars. Love this place.
Carne asada tostada
Al pastor tacos
Carne asada torta
Large horchata

Open late and really good for drunchies. I, personally, don’t drink and this place was still really good. It was quick and easy to order and the staff were really friendly. I’m from SD where we have the best Mexican food and this place comes pretty close.
i got the adobada burrito «purro carne» (meaty style). It had good, rich flavor. It was pretty greasy but still tasted good for what it was. The meat was aromatic, the tortilla tasted really fresh and the sauces were omg fantastic. I especially love their red sauce. It made me sweat while eating it, and thats pretty hard to do.

I give this place ¹⁰⁄₁₀!!!
Open late nights. If you want a taco or burrito… You MUST come here to try. I love getting the Al Pastor Burrito with no beans. The best part of the whole process is the hot sauce.
WOOOO WEE. Spicy as mother Jesus… But it is so damn delicious with the tacos or burritos. I cry.
I just wish it was cleaner in here… Their tostadas are something everyone should try as well.

don’t come here. why? I will tell u why. have u been to the DMV? the ER?
you pay, get number, then wait. after a while, u wait for some more. then when u think its ur turn, theres still 10 people in front of u.
but foods tastes so good. blah blah. sure we get things done at the DMV and get treated at the ER, but at el taurono, its just a Mexican food. go somewhere else. I promise, ur not missing out much. also don’t bring ur date here, there were frustrated hungry couples everywhere.
u think I’m lying right? that it’ll be OK to go since its just one person’s review? yea, tell that to the families that come and order 7 burritos in front of u. no joke.

El Taurino is a popular spot in Ktown and many people flock to eat here! Our wait tonight was insanely long but understandable. I got 2 al pastor and 2 carne asada tacos. The al pastor was very oily and greasy for some reason. I prefer the al pastor at King Taco. Nonetheless I enjoyed my meal. I will probably visit King Taco if I ever crave Mexican food.

The horchata is okay. But the tacos are so good, I got the al pastor, carne asada, cabeza, and lengua they were all juicy. But the portion is smaller than other places, or they put less meat. I also got the condome, it was tasty and cheap! Highly recommend for drunchies

Most of my friends rave about this place but maybe it was overhyped for me. I came in with HIGH expectations… like astronomically better than King Taco. Everything about this place reminds me of King Taco… the cashier set up… the counter where you pick up your food, etc… However, I don’t think this place is as good.
First off, the cashier seemed like she was in a terrible mood. Either she doesn’t like working there or wanted to go home early or something… She was really disinterested and operated like a robot. Then, when you’re waiting for your number to be called, it’s HARD as hell to understand what number is being called. It sounds like they are eating the microphone.
I got an order of 2 tacos, one carne asada and one al pastor. Don’t get me wrong, I think the meat is good but what doesn’t do it for me is the tortilla that they used. It’s too soggy and breaks easily. I guess that’s why they give you 2 tortillas but even then, that’s not enough. They are really stingy with their salsa too. We also got an order of the carne asada nachos. While the cheese and meat were good, the chips were a tad on the stale side. Use fresher chips!!! My horchata cup was also filled with a TON of ice too… A couple sips later and it’s almost gone!!!
On the positive side, this place does have a spacious parking lot in the back and there is plenty of seating.

3.5
Despite all of my misgivings — disorganized lines, hectic during rush hours, and stingy partitioning of their hot sauce, El Taurino still continues to be a solid institution I still continue to patronize after all these years.
I have to admit I am partial to their carne asada — there’s a tinge is acidity that I am partial toward. I also love their lengua which is not just boiled, but charred on the grill. Importantly, their carne asada tostada is still my favorite whether I am inebriated or sober. And their hot sauce, still unparalleled.
El Taurino — it is what it is. Good, affordable late night Mexican joint where all races intermingle in a nice, warm, fuzz.

How did I not review this place yet?
I’m originally from Atlanta, GA so the extent of my knowledge about tacos came from Chipotle. During the many times I visited California, I did not understand the hype about authentic Mexican tacos. First of all, i like the white flour tortilla from Chipotle. Why are the authentic ones all made out of corn?
But el taurino was the place that converted me to the real deal. For that, I will give this place a four star.
El taurino is the equivalent to Waffle House in the south in the sense that everyone comes here after clubbing. But now that my clubbing days are over, my husband and I made the drive out to ktown to eat here for a regular dinner meal. Eating the tacos sober made me realize the tacos aren’t good as I thought. The meat was so dry, hence the tortillas were dry. I like it when there’s oil coming from the meat that the tortillas get wet, but nope.
The tostas was good but the taste of the cheese was too strong. It is pretty stressful eating that thing. How to take a bite out of the tostas without having the whole thing crumble into pieces?
I told my husband that I liked the tacos from tacos el gallito in west LA better. So we are that the day after!

El Taurino. Its only 120 miles away. Is what i tell myself everytime i get the urge.
Gotta have it when I’m home home. Tacos are too good.
I believe the hot sauce is what distinguishes a great taco joint from good taco joints.
Theres something illegal in their red sauce, I know it.
Long waits. But is it worth it?
Yes.
Go.

i always heard talk about El Taurino when I went to UCLA back in the day, but i never made the trip out, until this late night after a night on the town
EXTREMELY HOLE-​IN-​THE-​WALL. it looked like there were a couple of registers to order from, but it wasn’t made clear
—nachos con carne: SKIP, the chips are those mass produced restaurant chips and the meat tasted like they over marinated with lime! i don’t know if they were trying to hide the low quality of the meat because this meal went right through my system within a couple of hours
—carnitas burrito: MUCH more enjoyable than the nachos, especially with the green & red hot sauces! i would actually get this again but after my experience i don’t think i’ll be coming back
open late but there’s better Mexican food to be had in LA
NOTE: they have their own parking lot in back

El Taurino has definitely gone down in service and gone up in stinginess. I remember the good old days when burritos would be completely filled but now, it feels like it is mostly tortilla and rice… hardly any meat. And they got so stingy with the hot sauce also!
The tables and seats are gross also so make sure to bring some wipes to wipe those nasty tables down.
There are so many other places that I can go to for my taco and burrito craving but I come back once in a blue moon just for the tostadas (hence my 2 star review).

Hands DOWN!!! The BEST El Pastor in the WEST COAST!!! I’ve come here on late nights and even just for tacos and they have the best flavored meat, best hot sauce and they even serve beer!!!
So, if you’re ever in the hood of Pico and Union, definitely stop by here. You will not be disappointed. And don’t be scared either, geeeeeez, they have security and don’t try to be a hero, LOL!

I came here on a visit to LA and I was super excited to try their tacos because I heard so many good things about LA’s tacos.
But I’ve had much better in Texas and NY…
Their tacos were pretty bland and the meats were not flavorful and chewy in a bad way.
I tried all their different meats on a taco or sopas and their nachos. I even tried one of their Mexican drinks.
It was just meh…
The only noteworthy aspect of the food was the salsa.
If I come to LA next time, definitely not coming back here for tacos.

Mi primera y ultima vez q vengo a comer este lugar .Los empleados dan super mal servicio al cliente .mi experiencia fue horrible. Nisiquiera dan llimones para los tacos que es extra y volver hacer linea para ordenarlos. OMG…

Hoy visite este restaurant y quede muy desecsiionado con la comida pedí chicharrón en salsa verde y el chicharrón rancio y tacos de barbacoa y la barbacoa insípida yo creo que es lo que les sobra el domingo y el Servisio es pésimo 40 minutos de espera por la comida no vale la pena regresar

I believe there are 2 locations and I do get confused if they are affiliated with king taco as some of their wrappers say king taco.
I’m an Asian who loves mexican so much you should call me mexi-​rean. My family introduced me here and the Carne Asad tacos as simple as they are just are authentic and amazing especially with the hot sauce.
The all beef burritos are massive a d my favorite is the beef tostada with everything. They put tomato slices on it and the tortilla is so crispy and wonderful.
The jalapeño cheese tamale is sweet and spicy.
Parking is pretty ample but fb is place is always packed. You can end up waiting 20 minutes on the walk up line inside.
Then they have 3 windows where you can watch them create your food. Lots of tables inside and it’s definitely very mexican atnosphere.
Get the hot sauce and one day I will order the soup I see everyone eat.
Best tacos in k town!

Pork Tamales! Get it. This is hands down the best tamales I’ve ever had thus far. Tastes homemade and it’s pretty big compared to other places. This fresh tamale came out of a gigantic pot just like how you would make at home. It’s definitely not reheated in a microwave or oven. Five stars to this amazing-​ness.
Carne Asada tacos: Can’t go to a Mexican joint without ordering a taco. This also tastes homemade and the meat was juicy! Four stars for the tacos.
Al Pastor burrito: It’s good but it’s just a bit too small for the price. It’s prob about the size of an average sized hand haha. Three stars for the burrito.
Service: Quick! Received my food right away :)
Parking: Plenty of parking behind the restaurant. Beware of the no left turn streets

I’ve heard about El Taurino before from friends but as a spot to hit up for drunchies. My girlfriend and I came down from OC for taco’s because everywhere else near by was already closed. Honestly, I was a bit scared being at El Taurino just because the location isnt the greatest and a bunch of guys (old/​young) were just staring us down inside. But fast forward to the food.
I ordered 2 carne asada tacos, sweet cheese & jalapeño tamale and a large horchata. The tacos were really good and I appreciated the amount of meat they put in each taco. The tamale was good as well but I wished the cheese was more gooey because it was just a big stretchy chunk inside my tamale. The sauces were bomb – just like everyone else has raved about. CAUTION about the red sauce! It seems so innocent but it’s fiiiiiire; literally! So spicy but soooo goood. Definitely adds a kick to your food. They are however, stingy with their sauces as my girlfriend asked for more and they said no. lol
Horchata was okay – it had a weird grainy after taste so I kept shaking it around to mix it up but the grainy taste was still there. Also, I like my horchata’s to be actually iced not chilled. Basically, I’ve had better horchata else where.
If you’re ever in the area and craving some tacos, definitely stop by here! Maybe phone order it to-​go so you don’t have to wait around for it inside and definitely don’t come alone!

My favorites:
— carne asada burritos
— carne asada tacos
— chicken tamales
— costillas rancheras

peor lugar del mundo!!! Nunca en mi vida han cansado de comer en el restaurante sucio bajo grado alguna vez fue horrible cliente servicio larga espera y equivocaron mi orden después de que le dije a la señora y habló con el gerente no hizo nada para arreglar allí haciendo mal y dijo que tenía que pagar otro pedido incluso tho que culpa hay! peor lugar alguna vez sería prefiero morir entonces volver a este lugar horrible! APAGARLO!!!
NOW IN ENGLISH…
worst place ever!!! never in my life have I tired to eat at dirty low grade restaurant ever it’s was horrible customer service long wait and they got my order wrong after I told the lady and ever spoke to the manager he did nothing to fix there wrong doing and said I had to pay for another order even tho it was there fault! worst place ever i would rather die then go back to this horrible place! SHUT IT DOWN!!!

I had carne asada, al pastor, and lengua tacos. Carne asada was flavorful, al pastor was just ‘okay’ and lengua had a flavor that was just a bit too beefy. But all around, it was good.