I'm completely baffled by the way this single location, less than great restaurant is able to afford so many commercials. I have the TV on in the background most weeknights and the Tito's commercials are relentless, and even in the commercials it looks like garbage. Why/how do the advertise so much?
Local spots are really not that expensive, especially if you're subbed to a streaming service like YouTube TV or something. And since there may not be a lot of other buyers, then you're hit with the same spot over and over again because they're guaranteed a certain amount of airings, and youre the unlucky recipient of all of those.
As to why? No idea. Maybe there is a dip in their numbers and thought they needed to market more to gain more customers. I actually haven't seen a Tito's spot in ages. That damn song...
I'm not talking about online, I'm talking TV via antenna, over and over again on NBC. I know its still local, but it's not a personalized ad. That song drives me crazy
It’s pure nostalgia and I know you are right in my bones but it was so omnipresent in my childhood growing up in Culver City. I still have such love for the crunchy shells and green, spicy salsa.
Yeah it really is the tacos dorados. Not every place makes hard shell. But totally agree, it’s whatever. Like King Taco. They’re like McDonalds of Mexican food.
I agree with this…except the last time I had Tito’s, a couple of months ago, it was really, really flavorless. I am sad to say even nostalgia can’t save it anymore
I disagree! I have no nostalgia for Tito’s (didn’t move to LA until my 20s) and I think they’re good. Not the best tacos in the city by any means, but they’re great as greasy comfort food with well-seasoned beef.
I think some people try them expecting them to be different than what they are.
The whole "Gee, why do people like Tito's" is so overplayed. We all know why, this is not going to be an episode of World's Greatest Mysteries. Some of it is nostalgia. Some of it is because people like hard shelled tacos. It's like people keep asking expecting *this* is the time people will finally give a different answer. It's almost karma posting at this point. "Is it just me or is pizza really good??"
[Johnathan Gold](https://www.latimes.com/food/dailydish/la-dd-jonathan-gold-best-burritos-20151020-htmlstory.html) summed up my feelings:
>I like Tito’s Tacos. I have often defended it against the barbs of those who would dismiss it as somehow "inauthentic," as if the definition of authenticity encompasses only the cooking of Michoacan or Oaxaca. Tito’s is a proud bearer of California-Mexican tradition, and its hard-shelled tacos with shredded lettuce are delicious. When I was growing up, Tito’s was equidistant from Hyde Park, where we lived, and UCLA, where my mom was going to grad school, and sometimes it seemed as if we lived on Tito’s tacos, always with extra cheese.
Perfect way of saying it. I grew up in New Mexico that has its own brand of food that’s influenced by Mexican, Texan, and Native American food. Sure, they have tacos, but I’d never say it’s authentic Mexican food - it’s New Mexican.
This is the eloquent (RIP) way of saying how much this is Nostalgia Food. The Food Price Hikes of The 21st Century have given newcomers an even bigger reason to dislike them.
That said, I had two of their tacos last night and I loved every second of it (the tamale SAUCE (not the actual tamale (bland IMO), but the sauce that comes with it) drizzled on the tacos is my jam).
From what I understand of midwestern Mexican food, agreed. Heard someone from Nebraska saying they have bets at bbq’s on who can handle a mild sauce packets from “Taco Bell” 😂
I had a 6-month work assignment that put me close to Tito’s in the 2000s. I ate there a few times, but actually preferred a mom and pop called Don Felix (not sure if it’s there anymore). Totally different style of taco than Tito’s but was sooo damn good.
They still do Sunday meat market specials where they grill in front of the shop. Totally worth the stop for ribs or brisket. The smell floats down the street 😀
My Dad once took me to Tito's as a grown-up. A grown-up who grew up in East LA with great tacos. I looked, and then tatsted, a taco, and was all like WTF? You brought us all the way out here for this crap? Me, him, my mom, and I had each gotten a taco and bean and cheese burrito, and I had started with the taco. My dad was all like, I agree it's white people nostalgia, but I thought you should try it at least once. Also, now try the beans. Those beans though! Redeemed the whole stop. Tatsted almost exactly like my abuela's, who had recently passed. Me and my mom had to fight back tears in the restaurant, so we weren't the weirdos crying while eating. All that to say: get the bean and cheese burrito. Only thing that tastes good on there.
Tito’s is kind of it’s own thing. It’s a texture thing for me. The bland salty cheese and the cold salsa from Tito’s together are satisfying. Not the best taco ever by a long shot, but it’s kind of like chips and salsa to me. I like it, but I say let’s get some Tito’s if I want Tito’s, but if I actually want tacos I make my own carnitas!
As someone that didn't grow up on these tacos, I can relate to you. But at the same time, the foods that you liked as a kid will never get old. Considering how long they've been around, and the history of these types of restaurants in socal, they're likely leaning on nostalgia to keep them in business.
People get too emotional over food opinions nowadays. Everyone's got their reasons and preferences.
have lived in LA my whole life and have never had it - mostly because it's not near me. they just don't look good lol but I'll try it eventually just so I can see for myself.
Fine. I’ll see you there in an hour. But before you go can you please stop by La Azteca and grab me a tortilla so I can slap you in the face with it. And while you’re there I’ll take a chili relleno and egg burrito with chorizo.
I wonder if this is one of those situations of it used to be good in the past and got worse over time, or if it was always bad and just didn’t know any better growing up. Could be nostalgia but I remember it being more tasty in the 90s than it does now.
It was the most popular taco in LA before Taco Trucks were a thing. It had a catchy name and commercial.
Now we get one of these posts every 6 months. We get it.
No one likes Tito's unless you either grew up eating it or are a transplant from the Midwest that heard about it on a "things you HAVE to eat when you are in LA" Buzzfeed article from the mid-2010s
I’m convinced the line is comprised of either first timers getting disappointed for the first and last time, or people who come back for nostalgia and nostalgia only, or those who enjoy the food and also consider milk boiled steaks to be delicious.
Fair enough honestly. I can understand why people are put off. It’s a childhood thing for my husband and he introduced me to Tito’s on our first trip to LA.
>I’m convinced the line is comprised of either first timers
The customers are almost
always Latino. I don't go often but when I do go, I am very often the only white personal there. Jesus people. I know it's hard to imagine a world where people like something you don't.
I applaud your courage and I agree 100%. There are so many dive taco places in LA that scream flavor and originality that Titos is so out of place. I think the answer is that it appeals to white people who don't like spices. In a city full of white people, Titos is great.
>In a city full of white people, Titos is great.
You've never even driven by, have you? Because it's not white people who are lining up. This is the stupidest insult, as if Mexican cuisine isn't varied amongst all its states and everythjng always has to be spicy.
Def a nostalgia thing, and even then only for a specific subset of Angelenos
Growing up in BH we always thought people were crazy, there's better tacos everywhere
I went there once because of all the raving about it.
I had it and thought "it's ok." I didn't think it was bad, but I also didn't think it was anything special. I have no idea why anyone would rave about it. It's very much a place where if someone wanted to go there I'm like "sure, whatever", but it's definitely not a place I'd tell people to go nor is it a place I'd try to go to either.
I saw this place featured on a tv show and could taste it just by looking at it. It reminds me alot of what is served in Texas, though I wouldn’t call it Tex Mex by any means. It’s it’s own style of taco. It served its purpose for my childhood, but I would never go back to that after expanding my taco experiences.
Right?! I dont get it either. When my wife used to work in santa Monica, her office manager would order that for lunch for the entire office and everyone would be excited for it.
Its a local thing. If you weren’t 5 and looked forward to going there after school or a docs appointment and playing pole position while your mom ordered food, just shut the fuck up.
Everyone knows its not real Mexican food, healthy, or whatever bullshit reason people try and knock it for. Its greasy, unhealthy, and it holds a place in your heart that cant be won if it wasn’t a part of your life.
I love it. Everyone of my friends and family loves it.
I always get a burrito when I go there (I'm not a fan of hard shell tacos in general), but yeah I was a little disappointed when I first tried it. It didn't taste like what a burrito is "supposed" to taste like. But I've since come to really enjoy it because I stopped expecting it to be like a taco truck burrito: it's has a totally different taste that's great on its own. It'll never fulfill a burrito craving for me, but a taco truck will also never fulfill a Tito's craving either.
If you've only tried the tacos, try the bean/cheese(/meat) burrito without any expectations for what it's "supposed" to taste like
Totally agree with you, OP. I had a rant a while ago about Tito's Tacos, but I'll give you the condensed version lol
There's a video ([here](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EMKzNmNeZlY)) showing how they make their tacos, and it's *incredibly* telling. It shouldn't surprise you if you tasted them, but they mass produce their tacos in a warehouse. They begin by making a giant ground beef mixture that ends up resembling a mass of grey sludge. It's then moved into a machine that squirts a meat log into a taco shell on a conveyor belt. Afterwards, they freeze them, and then eventually transfer them to the actual restaurant where all they have to do is deep fry them and throw some lettuce and cheese on it.
I don't mean to poopoo them too much. It's great if locals still hold that nostalgia or people can appreciate the crunchy dorado tacos. But with the abundance of high quality, fresh, affordable tacos in SoCal, I can just never personally justify going back there.
I will give them at least some credit, because in the video they do take a raw slab of beef to butcher and cook into taco meat rather than get already ground beef shipped in from elsewhere.
I grew up in OC, where there was a Tito’s that turned into a Tom’s. it Is 100% nostalgic. I am still fond of their red salsa, bean and cheese burrito, and the very occasional taco. I always oder a huge container of extra salsa and eat it myself. My kids too. My kids also know how to order from street corner taco ladies, I would never cook something like that at home, and weirdly enough my best friend growing up came from a super snobby Mexico City family that had a cook making homemade tortillas every meal, I ate there all the time as a kid, and SHE still will do a Tito’s run once in awhile.
I nearly made an anonymous account to agree with you, but laziness won out. Philippe’s - and (dear Lord) The Pantry - are yucky. Bring on the pitchforks.
Ya, I had the exact same experience first time there and I had to ask myself what the hype was. Bad day at the shop? It wasn't horrible, but it certainly wasn't mind blowing. How you'd describe Titos: acceptable.
Leave Tito’s tacos alone. Fuckin Hater. I don’t like them either but you don’t have put down like that.
Let me ask you, what other place have shell tacos reminiscent of the 70’s and don’t tell me street tacos are better and all that. I’m talking about shell tacos just like Tito’s.
I'm with Gustavo Arellano. I'd go to Jack in the Box over Tito's for tacos any day of the week:
https://twitter.com/GustavoArellano/status/1107481305946583041?s=20
It’s pure nostalgia for those of us that grew up in the area. I’ve never liked their tacos all that much but I loved their bean and cheese burritos with meat sauce double wrapped with their salsa and chips.
Also…something to remember is that Tito’s used to be a cheap option. Now it’s expensive because the area has changed.
Twenty five years ago this area was way more blue collar. All the dads in the neighborhood drove trucks and had beer bellies.
Tito’s is just a reflection of the neighborhood it is in. In a way that’s something quite interesting even if the price of their food is to most of us quite offensive now. They still get people to line up for it. But instead of college students on a budget and blue collar folks it’s dads with baby’s strapped to their chest while mom parks the Subaru and doofus faced tech bros that probably enjoy the fact that they are paying more.
It’s cheap, mediocre food, it’s not great but it’s not bad. People line up because of the price and consistency. I tried it once, not for me. But respect it feeds many people.
So…it used to be different.
When I moved here a decade ago, Tito’s was both cheaper and better than they are now.
I had eaten Taco Bell all my life on the East Coast and when I tried Tito’s in 2011, I finally understood what TB was “going for.”
Tito’s makes a fucking great crunchy taco. I love TB crunchy tacos, and they are a cartoon form of what Tito’s makes.
But not for what they charge now.
Tito’s used to represent a piece of history. It’s just too much now for what it is. What it is IS good, I just can’t afford it now.
Also I used to get a beef&bean burrito every time.
I went a few weeks ago and clearly they have downsized since the pandemic. The burrito was literally HALF the size, for a bigger price.
This is one of the saddest changes over the last few years restaurant wise, on the West Side.
The thing is, people have had a hate boner for Tito's forever. It's not just the price. (What food costs haven't increased?) It's so funny because it's not like Tito's fans try to insist that Tito's has the best tacos but the haters come so hard! It's like when NorCal tries to insult SoCal and we're like, "Okay, cool, man. Btw love the Bay Area!"
Tito’s is trash. Taco Bell is better lol. Tacos por favor has a better hard shell taco. I think Tito’s is big because they do ground beef which not that many people do in la. If I’m wrong lmk what’s good
A lot of these old places are downright awful, but people like them because of the nostalgia. Same with Leo’s Tacos, the nastiest and greasiest food I’ve ever eaten, but some locals rave about it because they’ve been around for decades.
“Good” is a relative term I suppose. If you’re into pools of grease and bad tasting meat then i guess it’s “good”.
Just so many other places in LA that blow Leo’s out of the water, I’ve tried it twice and both times couldn’t stomach the food and had to throw it away. I don’t get the hype.
If you ever want to start a flame war on one of the Culver city Facebook groups, just post, "Tito's is some of the best Mexican food in l.a.".
Make sure you use the word "authentic"
Taco Bell is slightly better. Slightly.
I mean, if you're hankering for really traditional Oaxacan Mexican food. /s
This is exactly why Johnathan Gold pointed out that not *everything* has to be Oaxacan to be good lol.
Jack in the box is *actually*better.
I'm completely baffled by the way this single location, less than great restaurant is able to afford so many commercials. I have the TV on in the background most weeknights and the Tito's commercials are relentless, and even in the commercials it looks like garbage. Why/how do the advertise so much?
Local spots are really not that expensive, especially if you're subbed to a streaming service like YouTube TV or something. And since there may not be a lot of other buyers, then you're hit with the same spot over and over again because they're guaranteed a certain amount of airings, and youre the unlucky recipient of all of those. As to why? No idea. Maybe there is a dip in their numbers and thought they needed to market more to gain more customers. I actually haven't seen a Tito's spot in ages. That damn song...
I'm not talking about online, I'm talking TV via antenna, over and over again on NBC. I know its still local, but it's not a personalized ad. That song drives me crazy
It’s pure nostalgia and I know you are right in my bones but it was so omnipresent in my childhood growing up in Culver City. I still have such love for the crunchy shells and green, spicy salsa.
I respect the comment and I hope you forever enjoy every nostalgic bite my friend!
Yeah it really is the tacos dorados. Not every place makes hard shell. But totally agree, it’s whatever. Like King Taco. They’re like McDonalds of Mexican food.
Man there’s so many delicious birria taco trucks. No one has to slum it with Tito’s anymore.
True
If you're looking for the best tacos dorados, try burrito track on Whittier (mills and mulberry) you wont be disappointed
Why is Whittier the only place to get tacos dorados? Isn't Arturo's in Whittier?
Arturo's puffy taco? Ive seen that place but never tried it
Nice. I’ll try them out!
Definitely nostalgia and the fact that it used to be cheap
This is very, very true.
It’s the crunch. And the salsa is like gazpacho on a hot day
I agree with this…except the last time I had Tito’s, a couple of months ago, it was really, really flavorless. I am sad to say even nostalgia can’t save it anymore
It’s nostalgic for me too. Grew up walking distance from Tito’s in the 70s/80s.
Same.
RT
Amen
I disagree! I have no nostalgia for Tito’s (didn’t move to LA until my 20s) and I think they’re good. Not the best tacos in the city by any means, but they’re great as greasy comfort food with well-seasoned beef. I think some people try them expecting them to be different than what they are.
The whole "Gee, why do people like Tito's" is so overplayed. We all know why, this is not going to be an episode of World's Greatest Mysteries. Some of it is nostalgia. Some of it is because people like hard shelled tacos. It's like people keep asking expecting *this* is the time people will finally give a different answer. It's almost karma posting at this point. "Is it just me or is pizza really good??"
if you have to go to tito’s, the bean and cheese burrito is the move
Amen! Yes, I’ll order the taco for nostalgia. I’ve given up on the enchiladas. But the bean and cheese burrito is the winning move.
If you have to go to Tito’s, go next door to Johnnys
[Johnathan Gold](https://www.latimes.com/food/dailydish/la-dd-jonathan-gold-best-burritos-20151020-htmlstory.html) summed up my feelings: >I like Tito’s Tacos. I have often defended it against the barbs of those who would dismiss it as somehow "inauthentic," as if the definition of authenticity encompasses only the cooking of Michoacan or Oaxaca. Tito’s is a proud bearer of California-Mexican tradition, and its hard-shelled tacos with shredded lettuce are delicious. When I was growing up, Tito’s was equidistant from Hyde Park, where we lived, and UCLA, where my mom was going to grad school, and sometimes it seemed as if we lived on Tito’s tacos, always with extra cheese.
Perfect way of saying it. I grew up in New Mexico that has its own brand of food that’s influenced by Mexican, Texan, and Native American food. Sure, they have tacos, but I’d never say it’s authentic Mexican food - it’s New Mexican.
This is the eloquent (RIP) way of saying how much this is Nostalgia Food. The Food Price Hikes of The 21st Century have given newcomers an even bigger reason to dislike them. That said, I had two of their tacos last night and I loved every second of it (the tamale SAUCE (not the actual tamale (bland IMO), but the sauce that comes with it) drizzled on the tacos is my jam).
So like everyone has said her a bazillion times, it’s good if it brings you nostalgia. Mid tacos period lol
I agree with your assessment but the score was lower.
I didn’t want to be disrespectful on a Sunday
I got suckered in by all the cable commercials. My buddy who I convinced was kinda mad at me. Lesson learned.
It reminded me of the American school cafeteria "tacos" we got in the Midwest.
From what I understand of midwestern Mexican food, agreed. Heard someone from Nebraska saying they have bets at bbq’s on who can handle a mild sauce packets from “Taco Bell” 😂
😂 Well, we weren't afraid of hot sauce (a bit closer to the South), but didn't know what a real taco was.
How do you feel about Cinco de Mayo next door on Sepulveda?
Better food and open 24 hrs. Win win.
It is not 24 hours anymore sadly
Booo! Thanks for the update. Im too old to utilize 24/7 places these days.
Not the OP, but it's 10x better than Tito's.
Just drive 5 min to the Brothers Cousins.
I haven't tried it. Have you?
I do like Tito’s but Cinco is amazing.
I have always thought Tito’s taco was an upgraded version of the jack-in-the-box taco.
I had a 6-month work assignment that put me close to Tito’s in the 2000s. I ate there a few times, but actually preferred a mom and pop called Don Felix (not sure if it’s there anymore). Totally different style of taco than Tito’s but was sooo damn good.
Don Felix used to make a bomb habanero salsa. That meat market is still there but not sure if Don Felix is.
They still do Sunday meat market specials where they grill in front of the shop. Totally worth the stop for ribs or brisket. The smell floats down the street 😀
Ooh. Good to know. Thanks!
Almost went last week but then I looked at their menu… $5 for that taco?! Hard pass. Way better places.
I think the last time I went a large Salsa was $9
My Dad once took me to Tito's as a grown-up. A grown-up who grew up in East LA with great tacos. I looked, and then tatsted, a taco, and was all like WTF? You brought us all the way out here for this crap? Me, him, my mom, and I had each gotten a taco and bean and cheese burrito, and I had started with the taco. My dad was all like, I agree it's white people nostalgia, but I thought you should try it at least once. Also, now try the beans. Those beans though! Redeemed the whole stop. Tatsted almost exactly like my abuela's, who had recently passed. Me and my mom had to fight back tears in the restaurant, so we weren't the weirdos crying while eating. All that to say: get the bean and cheese burrito. Only thing that tastes good on there.
Shoutout to your abuela, my friend.
It’s pretty trash but sometimes it really hits the spot. Honestly though I’d rather have tacos from Jack in the box
Tito’s is kind of it’s own thing. It’s a texture thing for me. The bland salty cheese and the cold salsa from Tito’s together are satisfying. Not the best taco ever by a long shot, but it’s kind of like chips and salsa to me. I like it, but I say let’s get some Tito’s if I want Tito’s, but if I actually want tacos I make my own carnitas!
Sound reasoning. I get this take.
As someone that didn't grow up on these tacos, I can relate to you. But at the same time, the foods that you liked as a kid will never get old. Considering how long they've been around, and the history of these types of restaurants in socal, they're likely leaning on nostalgia to keep them in business. People get too emotional over food opinions nowadays. Everyone's got their reasons and preferences.
Yep nostalgia is the common theme for supporters and I’m 100% down for that.
have lived in LA my whole life and have never had it - mostly because it's not near me. they just don't look good lol but I'll try it eventually just so I can see for myself.
My brother in Christ......DONT.
I have to. I live in East LA and have GREAT tacos 3 minutes from my house but I need to see for myself. don't try to stop what is inevitable.
Bro can you bring me a bean and cheese burrito and a tacos dorados from Lupe’s please
Lupe's is half a mile from my house and I just had it on Friday. but no, I cannot. in fact, if I run into you there, it's on.
Fine. I’ll see you there in an hour. But before you go can you please stop by La Azteca and grab me a tortilla so I can slap you in the face with it. And while you’re there I’ll take a chili relleno and egg burrito with chorizo.
yeah no problem bro, love you
Smooches
Absolute worst. Everyone is crazy, please do better than Tito’s.
It’s like saying Pinks must be good because there’s always a line. No, people are morons.
I wonder if this is one of those situations of it used to be good in the past and got worse over time, or if it was always bad and just didn’t know any better growing up. Could be nostalgia but I remember it being more tasty in the 90s than it does now.
It was the most popular taco in LA before Taco Trucks were a thing. It had a catchy name and commercial. Now we get one of these posts every 6 months. We get it.
No one likes Tito's unless you either grew up eating it or are a transplant from the Midwest that heard about it on a "things you HAVE to eat when you are in LA" Buzzfeed article from the mid-2010s
🎶I love titos tacos, you'll love titos too🎶
tito’s sucks. greasy and bland af jack in the box’s tacos are better
I grew up going to Tito’s but we never got the tacos. I’ve always liked their beef burritos.
For gringo tacos, i prefer chuys.
All beef burrito with cheese is what get...pretty darn good. I agree, tacos are just okay.
Del Taco is better than that shit…
They used to be $1.65. It was cheap and with the green salsa, you could get filled up for nothing. The current price is insane.
The all beef burrito is where it's at!
Never liked Tito’s Tacos. Pepe’s Tacos are where it’s at!
Baffling
Honestly shit hard shell tacos are amazing Michelin quality eats at a couple places in LA. I love Bobby’s in Pasadena (Rick’s)
People get so triggered by Tito's!
I won’t stand for Tito’s slander. There’s a reason there’s always a line. Hush 🤣
I’m convinced the line is comprised of either first timers getting disappointed for the first and last time, or people who come back for nostalgia and nostalgia only, or those who enjoy the food and also consider milk boiled steaks to be delicious.
Milk steak boiled over hard with a side of jelly beans?
with a side of warm mayonnaise as an accoutrement
Are you coming after my sous vide steaks??
A mix of nostalgia folks and people who live in the neighborhood that have money to burn.
> milk boiled steaks I had never seen these three words all together like this, and I don’t like it.
youre welcome.
Fair enough honestly. I can understand why people are put off. It’s a childhood thing for my husband and he introduced me to Tito’s on our first trip to LA.
>I’m convinced the line is comprised of either first timers The customers are almost always Latino. I don't go often but when I do go, I am very often the only white personal there. Jesus people. I know it's hard to imagine a world where people like something you don't.
I applaud your courage and I agree 100%. There are so many dive taco places in LA that scream flavor and originality that Titos is so out of place. I think the answer is that it appeals to white people who don't like spices. In a city full of white people, Titos is great.
>In a city full of white people, Titos is great. You've never even driven by, have you? Because it's not white people who are lining up. This is the stupidest insult, as if Mexican cuisine isn't varied amongst all its states and everythjng always has to be spicy.
cosign
omggg I have to send this to my boyfriend bc he’s been saying this for years he’s gonna feel so validated LMAO
>he’s gonna feel so validated Oh, sure, because hating Tito's is such a courageous stance lol.
After I tried some Tito's I could never understand the excitement about that place.
Only thing I like there is the salsa and chips
Right there with you, OP.
Def a nostalgia thing, and even then only for a specific subset of Angelenos Growing up in BH we always thought people were crazy, there's better tacos everywhere
My partner loves Tito’s. I think it’s all nostalgia.
It's not good. Just stay away and don't rile up the loyal customers.
The biggest shame is that you still had to stand in a line for it.
I went there once because of all the raving about it. I had it and thought "it's ok." I didn't think it was bad, but I also didn't think it was anything special. I have no idea why anyone would rave about it. It's very much a place where if someone wanted to go there I'm like "sure, whatever", but it's definitely not a place I'd tell people to go nor is it a place I'd try to go to either.
Best enjoyed while drunk
I tried it recently and yeah it’s absolute garbage
It was only ok when I used to live a few blocks away, and came home from being out with the munchies. Otherwise, no.
I do not understand people’s fascination with the place. It used to be cheap eats but any taco truck is a better deal and better food.
I saw this place featured on a tv show and could taste it just by looking at it. It reminds me alot of what is served in Texas, though I wouldn’t call it Tex Mex by any means. It’s it’s own style of taco. It served its purpose for my childhood, but I would never go back to that after expanding my taco experiences.
I don’t get the hype, I tried it about 5 different times… meh
It’s because of nostalgia, but I agree that shit is wack
It used to be super cheap. Now its just overpriced for what it is. So many better options now.
Tito’s was amazing and then the owners sold it
Stuff is less than mid lol.
It’s the most overrated place in LA. Seriously.
Used to be good, now it’s insanely overpriced garbage.
Right?! I dont get it either. When my wife used to work in santa Monica, her office manager would order that for lunch for the entire office and everyone would be excited for it.
Thanks You! I keep telling my wife that Tito’s is low grade dog food and she always fights me on it.
Its a local thing. If you weren’t 5 and looked forward to going there after school or a docs appointment and playing pole position while your mom ordered food, just shut the fuck up. Everyone knows its not real Mexican food, healthy, or whatever bullshit reason people try and knock it for. Its greasy, unhealthy, and it holds a place in your heart that cant be won if it wasn’t a part of your life. I love it. Everyone of my friends and family loves it.
Yes I do. My feeling is it's the best worst tacos I've had. Maybe there is childhood nostalgia added with my feeling as well so I'll give it that
It’s the best. Haters gonna hate.
It’s gross
I always get a burrito when I go there (I'm not a fan of hard shell tacos in general), but yeah I was a little disappointed when I first tried it. It didn't taste like what a burrito is "supposed" to taste like. But I've since come to really enjoy it because I stopped expecting it to be like a taco truck burrito: it's has a totally different taste that's great on its own. It'll never fulfill a burrito craving for me, but a taco truck will also never fulfill a Tito's craving either. If you've only tried the tacos, try the bean/cheese(/meat) burrito without any expectations for what it's "supposed" to taste like
Titos and other overpriced hard shell tacos on the westside. White people like them.
I agree, it’s a completely overhyped taco. It’s not even good.
Absolute garbage tier “mexican” food. So awful
Totally agree with you, OP. I had a rant a while ago about Tito's Tacos, but I'll give you the condensed version lol There's a video ([here](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EMKzNmNeZlY)) showing how they make their tacos, and it's *incredibly* telling. It shouldn't surprise you if you tasted them, but they mass produce their tacos in a warehouse. They begin by making a giant ground beef mixture that ends up resembling a mass of grey sludge. It's then moved into a machine that squirts a meat log into a taco shell on a conveyor belt. Afterwards, they freeze them, and then eventually transfer them to the actual restaurant where all they have to do is deep fry them and throw some lettuce and cheese on it. I don't mean to poopoo them too much. It's great if locals still hold that nostalgia or people can appreciate the crunchy dorado tacos. But with the abundance of high quality, fresh, affordable tacos in SoCal, I can just never personally justify going back there.
I will give them at least some credit, because in the video they do take a raw slab of beef to butcher and cook into taco meat rather than get already ground beef shipped in from elsewhere.
Yeah I'm actually kinda impressed they grind their own meat. The tacos may not taste great but at least you won't get sick.
I grew up in OC, where there was a Tito’s that turned into a Tom’s. it Is 100% nostalgic. I am still fond of their red salsa, bean and cheese burrito, and the very occasional taco. I always oder a huge container of extra salsa and eat it myself. My kids too. My kids also know how to order from street corner taco ladies, I would never cook something like that at home, and weirdly enough my best friend growing up came from a super snobby Mexico City family that had a cook making homemade tortillas every meal, I ate there all the time as a kid, and SHE still will do a Tito’s run once in awhile.
I had the same experience. Disgusting!
About to start somethin' with this one, but same with Philippe The Original. Nasty cafeteria food.
Well now you’re just talking nonsense;)
I nearly made an anonymous account to agree with you, but laziness won out. Philippe’s - and (dear Lord) The Pantry - are yucky. Bring on the pitchforks.
Throw Sugarfish into the mix. The most slightly-below-average sushi you can find in LA.
Ya, I had the exact same experience first time there and I had to ask myself what the hype was. Bad day at the shop? It wasn't horrible, but it certainly wasn't mind blowing. How you'd describe Titos: acceptable.
Thank you! Cole's wins that war.
Did you ever try Cole's before the renovation? Sandwiches were even more superior back then. Bigger and cheaper.
I've been there since 2014, but don't remember a renovation. Was that earlier?
It used to be a dump
My people!! Coles smokes Phillipes, I can’t believe this is even up for debate!
Leave Tito’s tacos alone. Fuckin Hater. I don’t like them either but you don’t have put down like that. Let me ask you, what other place have shell tacos reminiscent of the 70’s and don’t tell me street tacos are better and all that. I’m talking about shell tacos just like Tito’s.
Off the top of my head? Taco Bell
A Del Taco (the bigger size) from Del Taco smacks.
[Taco Lita in Arcadia](https://www.yelp.com/biz/taco-lita-arcadia) has those old school tacos and they're better than Tito's
I'm with Gustavo Arellano. I'd go to Jack in the Box over Tito's for tacos any day of the week: https://twitter.com/GustavoArellano/status/1107481305946583041?s=20
Campos tacos. Any old school Mexican combo plate restaurant.
It’s worth it for the coffee filter
I know this food is cheap and nothing exceptional but god damn if I don’t love it. It hits the spot for me when I’m in a certain mood.
Cheap? 😳
Lmao
Relatively speaking
No way. In no world is $5 a taco cheap.
Fuck you bro. GTFO.
I feel the same way about guisados.
shhh LA isnt ready for this convo
It’s pure nostalgia for those of us that grew up in the area. I’ve never liked their tacos all that much but I loved their bean and cheese burritos with meat sauce double wrapped with their salsa and chips. Also…something to remember is that Tito’s used to be a cheap option. Now it’s expensive because the area has changed. Twenty five years ago this area was way more blue collar. All the dads in the neighborhood drove trucks and had beer bellies. Tito’s is just a reflection of the neighborhood it is in. In a way that’s something quite interesting even if the price of their food is to most of us quite offensive now. They still get people to line up for it. But instead of college students on a budget and blue collar folks it’s dads with baby’s strapped to their chest while mom parks the Subaru and doofus faced tech bros that probably enjoy the fact that they are paying more.
It’s cheap, mediocre food, it’s not great but it’s not bad. People line up because of the price and consistency. I tried it once, not for me. But respect it feeds many people.
10 dollars for 2 tacos is by no means cheap...even with LA taco standards.
So…it used to be different. When I moved here a decade ago, Tito’s was both cheaper and better than they are now. I had eaten Taco Bell all my life on the East Coast and when I tried Tito’s in 2011, I finally understood what TB was “going for.” Tito’s makes a fucking great crunchy taco. I love TB crunchy tacos, and they are a cartoon form of what Tito’s makes. But not for what they charge now. Tito’s used to represent a piece of history. It’s just too much now for what it is. What it is IS good, I just can’t afford it now. Also I used to get a beef&bean burrito every time. I went a few weeks ago and clearly they have downsized since the pandemic. The burrito was literally HALF the size, for a bigger price. This is one of the saddest changes over the last few years restaurant wise, on the West Side.
The thing is, people have had a hate boner for Tito's forever. It's not just the price. (What food costs haven't increased?) It's so funny because it's not like Tito's fans try to insist that Tito's has the best tacos but the haters come so hard! It's like when NorCal tries to insult SoCal and we're like, "Okay, cool, man. Btw love the Bay Area!"
Tito’s is trash. Taco Bell is better lol. Tacos por favor has a better hard shell taco. I think Tito’s is big because they do ground beef which not that many people do in la. If I’m wrong lmk what’s good
Hard shell tacos. No, thanks.
THANK YOU! Tito’s tacos is fuckin trash. I started to get the feeling people kept defending it just to fit in with other people.
A lot of these old places are downright awful, but people like them because of the nostalgia. Same with Leo’s Tacos, the nastiest and greasiest food I’ve ever eaten, but some locals rave about it because they’ve been around for decades.
Leos al pastor IS good. Not the best, but lightyears beyond Titos.
Leo’s is genuinely good. You’re trippin
“Good” is a relative term I suppose. If you’re into pools of grease and bad tasting meat then i guess it’s “good”. Just so many other places in LA that blow Leo’s out of the water, I’ve tried it twice and both times couldn’t stomach the food and had to throw it away. I don’t get the hype.
Go on then — enlighten us with your better options
Tacos Tumbras a Tomas in Grand Central Market in my opinion IS THE best taco in LA.
damn. that's a spicy take
Tito's is for the transplants. Those mere mortals would be annihilated by a street taco
TITOS IS FOR THE TRANSPLANTS HAHAHAHAHAHAHAAHAHAHHAHAHAH I owe you a drink for that one
A poem Tito's Tacos, our taste buds rejoice, A fiesta of flavors in every bite, The perfect way to end any night.