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ZipPicks Awards
Best Cheap Eats Tacos in Silver Lake
Best Cheap Eats Mexican in Silver Lake
Best Tacos in Silver Lake
Best Mexican in Silver Lake
Master Critic Review
Guisados
8.8
Counter-service taqueria specializing in braised stews served on hand-pressed corn tortillas made fresh from ground masa. The kitchen's slow-braised meats in rich guisados mirror traditional Mexican home cooking, with a sampler option allowing exploration of multiple flavors including their signature cochinita pibil and mole poblano.
Must-Try Dishes:
Cochinita Pibil Taco, Mole Poblano Taco, Tinga de Pollo
Scores:
Value: 8.3
Service: 8.4
Consistency: 9.1
Food Quality: 9
Atmosphere: 7.6
Cultural Relevance: 8.9
What makes it special: House-braised meats in traditional guisados on handmade tortillas
Who should go: Diners seeking authentic home-style Mexican braised meats
When to visit: Off-peak hours to avoid lunch and dinner crowds
What to order: Six-taco sampler to try multiple guisados, cochinita pibil
Insider tip: Outdoor patio behind building offers more relaxed seating than inside
Logistics & Planning
Parking: Street parking available but competitive - arrive early or use paid lot on Sunset Blvd ($5-8). Easier parking on side streets off Sunset.
Dress code: Super casual - t-shirts, shorts, flip-flops all standard. This is counter-service taco spot, not a sit-down restaurant.
Noise level: Moderate to loud - bustling counter-service energy with outdoor patio conversations. Fine for casual chat, not ideal for intimate conversations.
Weekend wait: 15-25 min line at counter during peak (6-8pm), plus 10-15 min for food prep
Weekday lunch: 10-15 min line typical (12-1pm), faster before 11:30am or after 1:30pm
Dietary Options
Vegetarian options: Yes - excellent options including mushroom, potato, calabaza, cheese, and bean guisados. About 40% of menu is vegetarian.
Vegan options: Yes - several options available. Request corn tortillas without cheese. Potato, mushroom, and calabaza guisados work well. Staff accommodating.
Gluten-free options: Yes - corn tortillas are naturally gluten-free and made fresh in-house. Avoid flour tortillas. Most guisados are GF but confirm ingredients.
Good to Know
Is this good for a first date? Good for casual early dates or daytime meetups, not romantic dinners. Counter-service format and picnic-style outdoor seating create relaxed, low-pressure vibe. Skip if you want tablecloths and ambiance.
Can I get a table without a reservation? No reservations - it's counter-service only. Order at counter, grab outdoor patio table or indoor communal seating. Outdoor patio behind building fills fast during peak times but turnover is quick.
Is it kid-friendly? Extremely kid-friendly. Casual counter-service, outdoor seating, mild flavor options (cheese, potato), and quick service work well for families. High chairs available. Gets loud so no worries about noise.
How many tacos should I order? Start with 3-4 tacos per person for a meal. The six-taco sampler ($16-18) is perfect for one hungry person or two people sharing to try variety. Tacos are substantial with generous guisado portions.
What if I've never had guisados before? Order the sampler to try multiple braised stews - it's the best introduction. Must-tries: cochinita pibil (citrus-braised pork), mole poblano (rich chocolate-chile sauce), and tinga (chipotle chicken). Staff happy to explain options.
Best For
Better for: Authentic home-style braised meats and fresh handmade tortillas at budget prices. Better quality than most taco chains while maintaining fast-casual speed. The guisado variety and masa tortillas make this special.
Skip if: You want full table service, quiet ambiance, or sit-down atmosphere. Also skip if you're looking for quick street-style tacos - the braised guisados are heartier and richer than carne asada or al pastor.
Hours
Monday9am - 10pm
Tuesday9am - 10pm
Wednesday9am - 10pm
Thursday9am - 10pm
Friday9am - 11pm
Saturday9am - 11pm
Sunday9am - 9pm