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Guisados
Master Critic Reviews (4 Lists)
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.
Guisados
8.4
Vibes:
Cheap Eats Budget Brilliance
Quick Bites Champions
Hidden Gems Heaven
Family Friendly Favorites
Born in Boyle Heights, Guisados revolutionized LA tacos with slow-braised Mexican stews ladled onto thick handmade corn tortillas. The chicharrón en salsa verde and tinga de pollo draw loyal crowds to this counter-service mini-chain.
Must-Try Dishes:
Chicharrón en Salsa Verde, Tinga de Pollo, Cochinita Pibil
Scores:
Value: 8.7
Service: 8.1
Consistency: 8.6
Food Quality: 8.9
Atmosphere: 7.4
Cultural Relevance: 8.8
What makes it special: Homestyle Mexican braises on handmade tortillas perfected over generations
Who should go: Taco purists seeking authentic slow-cooked Mexican comfort food
When to visit: Weekday lunch avoids weekend crowds, breakfast served until noon
What to order: Sample platter, chicharrón verde taco, cochinita pibil taco
Insider tip: Order the calabacita taco when squash is in season
Logistics & Planning
Parking: Free street parking available on Sunset Boulevard and side streets, typically easy to find except peak lunch hours. Small lot behind building fits 8-10 cars.
Dress code: Ultra-casual - gym clothes, work uniforms perfectly fine. Counter-service taqueria vibe.
Noise level: Moderate to loud - bustling taqueria energy with open kitchen, tile floors amplify sound. Fine for casual conversation, not intimate dining.
Weekend wait: 15-25 min wait to order during peak (12:30-2pm Sat/Sun), moves quickly once you reach counter
Weekday lunch: 10-15 min wait typical (11:30am-1pm), minimal wait outside those hours
Dietary Options
Vegetarian options: Excellent - 4+ dedicated stew options including calabacita, papas con rajas, frijoles con queso. All made fresh daily.
Vegan options: Yes - beans and calabacita tacos are fully vegan, corn tortillas made without lard. Request no cheese/crema.
Gluten-free options: Naturally gluten-free - 100% corn tortillas, all braises are GF. No separate prep but minimal cross-contamination risk.
Good to Know
Is this good for a first date? Better for 3rd+ dates or casual early relationships. Counter-service format and communal seating lack romance, but the authentic food and laid-back vibe work great if you both appreciate no-frills Mexican food. Skip if you want white tablecloths and candlelight.
Can I get a table without a reservation? No reservations accepted - purely walk-up counter service. Expect to wait in line 10-25 minutes during peak hours, then grab whatever seating is available (mix of small tables and counter stools). Come before 11:30am or after 2pm to walk right up.
Is it kid-friendly? Extremely kid-friendly. Fast counter service keeps restless kids happy, mild flavor options available (ask for 'no spicy' on any taco), high chairs provided. Loud atmosphere means your toddler won't disturb anyone. Perfect for families on a budget.
How long does a meal take? 30-40 minutes total including wait time during peak hours. Order at counter (5 min), food arrives in 8-10 minutes, most people eat and leave within 15-20 minutes. Great for quick authentic lunch.
Can I take food to go? Absolutely - majority of customers order takeout. Tacos travel well for 15-20 minutes. Call ahead to skip the line, or use their online ordering system for pickup.
Best For
Better for: Guisados dominates when you want authentic homestyle Mexican braises at taco-stand prices ($3-4/taco vs $6-8 at competitors). The thick handmade tortillas and slow-cooked stews feel like someone's abuela is cooking for you. Better value and authenticity than gentrified taco spots charging $7 for al pastor.
Skip if: You want sit-down table service, craft cocktails, or date-night ambiance. Choose Guelaguetza for mole-focused Oaxacan with full service, or Holbox for seafood tacos with cocktails and patio vibes. Also skip if you need parking validation - there isn't any.
Guisados
8.4
Boyle Heights institution expanded to Echo Park with braised meat tacos on handmade corn tortillas. Jonathan Gold's 99 Essential Restaurants honoree specializes in slow-cooked guisados like mole poblano and cochinita pibil, served in a modern space with outdoor patio.
Must-Try Dishes:
Mole Poblano Taco, Cochinita Pibil, Tinga de Pollo
Scores:
Value: 8.2
Service: 8.3
Consistency: 8.4
Food Quality: 8.9
Atmosphere: 8.1
Cultural Relevance: 8.5
What makes it special: Jonathan Gold-endorsed braised meat tacos with fresh masa tortillas
Who should go: Families and traditionalists seeking authentic guisados
When to visit: Off-peak hours 2-5pm to avoid lunch/dinner crowds
What to order: Six-taco sampler, chiles toreados, horchata
Insider tip: Use the second parking lot around back if main lot is full
Logistics & Planning
Parking: Free lot with 15-20 spaces (enter from Sunset), overflow lot behind building. Street parking available but limited during peak hours
Dress code: Casual - jeans, t-shirts, athletic wear all fine. This is a counter-service taqueria
Noise level: Moderate to loud during peak - order-calling system and busy patio. Conversation-friendly during off-peak
Weekend wait: 15-25 min wait to order, 10 min for food. Arrives in waves around 6-7pm
Weekday lunch: 10-15 min wait to order during 12-1pm rush, minimal wait 2-5pm
Dietary Options
Vegetarian options: Yes - potato with rajas, calabacitas, nopales, cheese & bean options. About 5-6 vegetarian guisados
Vegan options: Limited - nopales, calabacitas available without cheese. Request no crema. 2-3 solid options
Gluten-free options: Yes - corn tortillas are naturally gluten-free, but shared prep surfaces. Notify staff if severe allergy
Good to Know
Is this good for a first date? Solid casual first date spot. Outdoor patio is charming, prices allow you to be generous without stress, and sharing a sampler is natural conversation fuel. Skip if you want quiet intimacy - it gets lively
Can I get a table without a reservation? They don't take reservations - it's counter-service with open seating. Arrive off-peak (2-5pm) for immediate seating, or expect to hover for patio tables during prime dinner hours
Is it kid-friendly? Extremely kid-friendly. Casual atmosphere, outdoor space for wiggly kids, simple menu, quick service. High chairs available. Perfect for families with children of all ages
How spicy is the food? Mild to moderate by default. Most guisados aren't aggressively spicy - heat comes from the salsa bar where you control intensity. Order chiles toreados on the side if you want kick
Can I feed a group here affordably? Yes - this is budget-friendly group dining. $12-15/person gets you full. Order family-style samplers, split sides, everyone's happy. Cash and card accepted
Best For
Better for: Choose Guisados for authentic braised meat tacos over Tex-Mex chains - the slow-cooked guisados (mole, cochinita pibil) showcase traditional technique. Better than food trucks for seating/atmosphere, better than sit-down Mexican for speed and value. The handmade tortillas alone justify the visit
Skip if: Skip if you want al pastor or carne asada - this is a guisado specialist, not an all-purpose taqueria. Also skip for romantic ambiance (too casual/loud), business meetings (counter-service vibe), or if you need alcohol (no liquor license)
Guisados
8.6
Vibes:
Cheap Eats Budget Brilliance
Quick Bites Champions
Family Friendly Favorites
Hidden Gems Heaven
Born in Boyle Heights in 2010, this taqueria specializes in homestyle braised meats served on thick, handmade corn tortillas ground fresh hourly from nixtamal. The family recipes feature complex stews like tinga perfumed with smoked jalapeños and chicharrón in dual chile sauces, drawing lines that stretch out the door since Jonathan Gold's glowing 2011 review launched them into the stratosphere.
Must-Try Dishes:
Tinga de Pollo, Chicharrón Prensado, Cochinita Pibil
Scores:
Value: 9.4
Service: 8.3
Consistency: 8.9
Food Quality: 9.1
Atmosphere: 7.4
Cultural Relevance: 9
What makes it special: Thick handmade tortillas made every hour filled with complex family-recipe stews
Who should go: Anyone seeking authentic LA tacos at unbeatable value
When to visit: Weekday lunch to avoid weekend lines, arrive early
What to order: Six-taco sampler ($7.25), plus chiles toreados if heat-tolerant
Insider tip: Outdoor patio seating is more comfortable than cramped indoor tables
Logistics & Planning
Parking: Free street parking available but competitive - arrive 10 min early or use small lot behind building ($3-5). Sunset Blvd spaces easiest.
Dress code: Ultra casual - gym clothes and flip-flops are the norm
Noise level: Lively but conversational - can easily chat at outdoor tables, indoor gets louder during peak
Weekend wait: 20-35 min typical, up to 45 min during prime hours (6-8pm)
Weekday lunch: 10-15 min wait common, order-ahead pickup recommended for speed
Dietary Options
Vegetarian options: Yes - 6+ options including calabacitas, nopales, and cheese with beans
Vegan options: Yes - several options like hongos and frijoles negros (specify no cheese/crema)
Gluten-free options: Excellent - corn tortillas are naturally GF, ask about cross-contamination protocols
Good to Know
Is this good for a first date? Only if casual is your vibe - outdoor patio works for laid-back dates, but skip if you want intimate ambiance. Better as a second or third date when comfort matters more than impressing.
Can I get a table without a reservation? No reservations accepted - it's first-come, first-served. Weekday lunch is safest bet for minimal wait, or arrive right at 11am opening to beat crowds.
Is it kid-friendly? Extremely - high chairs available, quick service keeps kids happy, and mild options like quesadillas work for picky eaters. Outdoor seating ideal for families.
Best For
Better for: Authentic homestyle Mexican at unbeatable prices ($2 tacos), fresh tortillas made hourly, complex braised meats you won't find at typical taquerias, casual family atmosphere
Skip if: You want tablecloths and cocktails, need guaranteed quick service during peak hours, prefer crispy-shell tacos, or want modern upscale Mexican - this is traditional and no-frills