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Pinches Tacos - DTLA
Master Critic Reviews (4 Lists)
Pinches Tacos - DTLA
7.7
Vibes:
Family Friendly Favorites
Cheap Eats Budget Brilliance
Quick Bites Champions
Hidden Gems Heaven
A small, local taco counter that’s an easy family pit stop for affordable, no-fuss Mexican cravings. The dining is simple and quick, with straightforward tacos and plates that work well for kids and adults. Great for a budget downtown lunch between errands.
Must-Try Dishes:
al pastor tacos, carne asada tacos, chips and guacamole
Scores:
Value: 8.6
Service: 7.5
Consistency: 7.6
Food Quality: 7.9
Atmosphere: 6.4
Cultural Relevance: 7.3
What makes it special: Local-chain tacos with real value in a quick counter setup.
Who should go: Families needing a fast, affordable bite.
When to visit: Lunch or early afternoon.
What to order: Pastor, asada, and guac with chips.
Insider tip: Order a mix of tacos and split—portions add up fast.
Logistics & Planning
Parking: Street parking on surrounding blocks is hit-or-miss; the nearest paid garages at The Bloc or FIGat7th are the most reliable for quick in-and-out stops.
Dress code: Completely casual—come as you are, from office wear to weekend errands attire.
Noise level: Moderate during peak lunch hours due to the counter-service setup; otherwise easy to hold a conversation.
Weekend wait: Typically no wait; traffic slows on weekends and evenings.
Weekday lunch: Short line during peak noon rush, usually 5–10 minutes.
Dietary Options
Vegetarian options: Yes—beans, veggie tacos, rice plates, and sides work well for vegetarian diners.
Vegan options: Limited but doable—look for bean-based options and specify no cheese or crema.
Gluten-free options: Yes—corn tortillas are the default, but cross-contamination is possible in a small kitchen.
Good to Know
Is this good for a first date? Not ideal—it's a counter-service taco spot built for speed and convenience, better for casual meetups than romantic first impressions.
Can I get a table without a reservation? Yes—it's walk-in only, and seating is first-come, first-served. Turnover is quick, so open seats appear frequently.
Is it kid-friendly? Very—simple tacos, mild options, and fast service make it easy for families with kids of all ages, though there are no kid-specific amenities.
Best For
Better for: A faster, more affordable taco stop than many downtown competitors, great for families on a budget or anyone craving quick Mexican comfort.
Skip if: You’re looking for a sit-down meal, craft cocktails, or a more polished dining environment—this is a counter-service spot built for speed.
Pinches Tacos - DTLA
8.3
A bright counter-service taqueria focused on clean, classic builds and reliable downtown execution. Tortillas stay warm, meats are consistently seasoned, and the salsa lineup gives you real control over flavor and heat. It’s an easy go-to for fast tacos that don’t feel generic.
Must-Try Dishes:
Al pastor tacos, Asada tacos, Churros
Scores:
Value: 8.7
Service: 8.1
Consistency: 8.6
Food Quality: 8.6
Atmosphere: 7.2
Cultural Relevance: 8
What makes it special: Dependable downtown tacos built on strong tortilla-and-salsa fundamentals.
Who should go: Downtown workers and taco crews on a budget.
When to visit: Weekday lunch or early dinner before rush.
What to order: Al pastor, asada, churros.
Insider tip: Order a mixed salsa flight to find your heat lane.
Logistics & Planning
Parking: Metered street parking on 7th and adjacent blocks; garages nearby but can be pricey during office hours.
Dress code: Casual—office wear, jeans, and streetwear all fit in.
Noise level: Moderate; steady lunch traffic but you can still hold a normal conversation.
Weekend wait: Minimal wait; usually under 10 minutes since it’s counter-service.
Weekday lunch: Short line at peak (5–10 minutes), moves quickly.
Dietary Options
Vegetarian options: Yes—veggie tacos, sides, and customizable builds.
Vegan options: Limited—some veggie builds can be made vegan by removing cheese/sauces.
Gluten-free options: Partial—corn tortillas are naturally gluten-free, but shared prep surfaces apply.
Good to Know
Is this good for a first date? Better for casual meetups than a formal date—great if you want something low-pressure, fast, and easy.
Can I get a table without a reservation? Yes—it's counter-service with open seating; tables turn quickly even during lunch rush.
Is it kid-friendly? Yes for quick meals; no dedicated kids’ menu, but simple taco builds work well for most ages.
Best For
Better for: Fast, reliable tacos with good salsa variety and budget-friendly pricing—ideal for quick lunches.
Skip if: You want late-night hours, big combo plates, or a sit-down restaurant atmosphere.
Pinches Tacos - DTLA
8.0
A bright, counter-service taqueria that keeps things simple and reliable: well-griddled tortillas, cleanly seasoned meats, and salsas with real balance. It’s built for fast downtown lunches, but the classic taco-and-plate fundamentals land better than most quick spots.
Must-Try Dishes:
Al pastor tacos, Carne asada plate, Churros
Scores:
Value: 8.4
Service: 7.8
Consistency: 8.1
Food Quality: 8.2
Atmosphere: 6.6
Cultural Relevance: 7.5
What makes it special: Straightforward DTLA tacos with dependable tortillas and salsa range.
Who should go: Downtown workers and taco crews on a budget.
When to visit: Weekday lunch or early dinner before rush.
What to order: Al pastor, asada tacos, side of frijoles.
Insider tip: Order a mixed salsa flight to find your heat lane.
Logistics & Planning
Parking: Street parking is limited on Figueroa-adjacent blocks; expect metered spots or nearby paid garages at FIGat7th or office towers.
Dress code: Casual—office attire, jeans, and tees all fit in comfortably.
Noise level: Moderate during lunch rush; easy conversation outside peak hours.
Weekend wait: Short to moderate waits of 10–20 minutes depending on events downtown.
Weekday lunch: Often no wait, though lines move quickly during peak office rush.
Dietary Options
Vegetarian options: Yes—vegetarian tacos and sides are available.
Vegan options: Limited—some sides and customizable tacos depending on salsa and topping choices.
Gluten-free options: Partially—corn tortillas are gluten-free, but no dedicated gluten-free prep area.
Good to Know
Is this good for a first date? It works for a super casual meet-up or lunch date where the focus is low-pressure and quick. Not ideal if you want a slower, more atmospheric setting.
Can I get a table without a reservation? Yes—it's counter-service and first-come, first-served. Seating turns over quickly during peak hours.
Is it kid-friendly? Yes for quick meals; simple menu, counter service, and fast pacing. Best for families with kids who are comfortable in casual, busy environments.
Best For
Better for: Fast, budget-friendly tacos with clean flavors and consistent seasoning—stronger reliability than many downtown quick-service taquerias.
Skip if: You want a sit-down experience, a broad regional Mexican menu, or nightlife energy—go elsewhere for those.
Pinches Tacos - DTLA
7.8
Vibes:
Cheap Eats Budget Brilliance
Quick Bites Champions
Group Dining Gatherings
Happy Hour Hotspots
A bright, counter-service taqueria with clean, straightforward builds and strong tortilla-plus-salsa fundamentals. Best orders are the classic meat tacos and plates that keep things simple and properly seasoned.
Must-Try Dishes:
Al pastor tacos, Carne asada tacos, Churro bites
Scores:
Value: 8.3
Service: 7.1
Consistency: 7.9
Food Quality: 7.8
Atmosphere: 6.5
Cultural Relevance: 7.5
What makes it special: Reliable DTLA tacos with well-balanced salsas.
Who should go: Taco crews on a budget.
When to visit: Lunch or early dinner.
What to order: Al pastor, asada, churros.
Insider tip: Try a side of frijoles to round out the meal cheaply.
Logistics & Planning
Parking: Street parking on surrounding blocks; meters are usually available before 5pm but get tight during happy hour. No valet or dedicated lot.
Dress code: Casual and comfortable — work clothes, jeans, and tees all fit the vibe.
Noise level: Moderate — counter-service bustle but still easy to hold a conversation.
Weekend wait: 5–15 minutes depending on event traffic in the area.
Weekday lunch: Usually no wait; quick counter movement even during rush.
Dietary Options
Vegetarian options: Yes — veggie tacos, quesadillas, and sides are available.
Vegan options: Limited — a few veggie builds can be made vegan by removing cheese and crema.
Gluten-free options: Yes — most tacos on corn tortillas; ask to confirm cross-contact if sensitive.
Good to Know
Is this good for a first date? Only if you want something fast and low-key — it’s counter-service, bright, and casual, better for a quick meet-up than a full date night.
Can I get a table without a reservation? Yes — it's walk-in only. Tables turn quickly even during busy hours.
Is it kid-friendly? Yes for casual meals; counter seating and quick service work well for older kids, though the small space may feel tight for strollers.
Best For
Better for: Quick, budget-friendly tacos with clean seasoning and reliable speed — ideal for office workers and casual groups.
Skip if: You want late-night hours, sit-down ambiance, or a wider range of regional Mexican dishes.