Californians Drive For Miles Just To Eat At These Iconic Taco And Burrito Spots

California’s taco and burrito game is so strong, it’s worth planning a road trip around. From humble street carts to James Beard Award–winning kitchens, these iconic spots draw crowds for good reason.

Craving classic flavors or bold, creative takes? These seven legendary destinations show that the most unforgettable meals often come with a few extra miles on the odometer.

1. Tito’s Tacos – Culver City (Los Angeles metro)

Since 1959, this no-frills Culver City institution has been serving the same perfect hard-shell tacos that launched a thousand imitations. The secret weapon? A vibrant red salsa recipe guarded more carefully than state secrets.

Tito’s consistently lands on national best-of lists, yet maintains its humble charm. The perpetual line might look intimidating, but regulars know it moves with surprising efficiency.

2. Tacos La Calle – San Lorenzo (East Bay)

A gleaming white taco truck parked in San Lorenzo has foodies mapping multi-hour drives with single-minded purpose. Their shrimp tacos, nestled in handmade corn tortillas and drizzled with creamy chipotle sauce, have achieved legendary status.

The refreshing horchata and jamaica drinks provide the perfect complement to these flavor-packed treasures.

Even on weekdays, you’ll spot license plates from Sacramento and beyond: proof that distance means nothing when tacos are this good.

3. La Taqueria – Mission District, San Francisco

Rice-free burritos might sound sacrilegious until you’ve experienced La Taqueria’s Mission-style masterpieces. This James Beard “America’s Classics” winner focuses on what matters: exceptional meats, fresh ingredients, and perfect proportions.

I still remember my first bite of their carnitas dorado-style burrito: crispy-grilled on the outside, juicy within. That moment converted me into a regular 45-mile commuter just for lunch.

Bay Area natives measure other burritos against La Taqueria’s gold standard, and most fall woefully short.

4. Tacos Los Cholos – Fullerton (Orange County)

Hidden in a nondescript strip mall near Disneyland lurks taco royalty. Los Cholos has perfected mesquite-grilled carne asada: smoky, tender, and seasoned with an expert hand.

Their robust salsa bar deserves its own fan club, featuring everything from mild tomatillo to sweat-inducing habanero concoctions.

Southern California taco aficionados regularly incorporate this Fullerton gem into methodically planned taco crawls, often making it both first and last stop. It’s that good.

5. Arturo’s Puffy Taco – Whittier (LA County)

San Antonio’s gift to California, the puffy taco, reaches its highest form at this Whittier hotspot. Unlike standard tacos, these start as raw masa that puffs dramatically when fried, creating a crispy-yet-pillowy V-shaped vessel.

Each one comes loaded with seasoned picadillo beef, fresh salsa, and a snowfall of cheese. Last summer, I drove 90 minutes in rush-hour traffic for these. It was worth every frustrating minute.

The unique texture combination keeps devotees coming back despite GPS apps warning of “heavy traffic ahead.”

6. Evil Cooks – El Sereno neighborhood, Los Angeles

Not all taco pilgrimages lead to traditional spots. Evil Cooks’ goth aesthetic and rebellious approach have created a cult following for their signature black al pastor tacos, now served at their brick-and-mortar (opened late 2024) in El Sereno at 3333 N Eastern Ave.

The obsidian-hued meat, cooked on vertical spits over charcoal, delivers a smoky complexity that’s impossible to replicate. Their handmade blue corn tortillas provide the perfect canvas for this flavor revolution.

Even from its slightly off-the-beaten-path perch, taco enthusiasts gladly navigate across LA County for a taste of taco innovation.

7. A Tí – Echo Park, Los Angeles

Chef-driven without pretension, A Tí elevates the humble taco to culinary art. Their duck confit with date mole delivers sweet-savory complexity that haunts your taste memories for weeks.

The striped bass taco with habanero-Kewpie mayo showcases their talent for unexpected flavor combinations. Southern California food lovers mark their calendars around A Tí’s menu changes, planning Echo Park expeditions with the seriousness of military operations.

These aren’t everyday tacos. They’re special occasion indulgences worth rearranging schedules for.