Tito's Tacos
I love me some tacos. Any day, anywhere, anytime. One of my favorite Mexican spots in LA is Tito's Tacos, located in Culver City. They've been making tacos since 1959, and over 60 years, they've built quite the cult following.
An American take on a Mexican staple
Tito’s is known for Americanized hard-shell tacos – think Taco Bell, but a million times better. Don’t shoot me for saying that! They also make delicious bean and cheese burritos and super fresh salsa.
No frills atmosphere
There are three walk-up windows outside the restaurant and a line inside. I encourage you to plan ahead, as this place is always packed. That’s a good sign, in my opinion. If you drive, good luck getting a parking spot in the lot. I usually park down the street and walk, because otherwise, you could be circling for an hour.
Plan a lunch for two (so you can get a seat)
While the lines are long, they move very quickly. It’s best to go with a friend to snag a table while the other waits in line. Regardless of where you sit – it’s difficult to get a seat because space is limited. If you’d like to sit outside, there are just a few communal picnic tables. If you go inside, you might get lucky enough to grab seats at one of the 10 or so tables.
The food’s not fancy, but it’s delicious
The food is worth the wait and the stress of finding a place to sit. The taco shells are fried, crispy corn tortillas filled with delicious shredded beef, cheddar cheese, and shredded lettuce. It’s seriously nothing fancy whatsoever, but man does it taste good. Want to take it to the next level? Pour a little salsa on it. The burritos are great too, though nine times out of ten, I go for the tacos. There are a few burrito options — my pick is the bean and cheese.
Mmmm… chips & salsa
When you order food, you always get chips and salsa on the side – which is a nice perk, since many restaurants make you pay extra for this. I’m sure they build it into the price of your food, but at $4.25 for a taco with cheese ($3.35 without cheese) and $5.90 for a bean and cheese burrito, you aren’t going to break the bank here. The chips and salsa are worth whatever they have built into the price.
Pro tip: this is a GREAT spot for a hangover cure.