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This may be the best taco I've has lately. It's hard to find a good taco, it seems.
Fish= fried, but delicious.
Shrimp= not as battered but equally delicious. maybe even more so than the fish. Much lighter.
Yum. Cheap too!
My hubby says the meat tacos are just ok. I say stick to shrimp and fish. It's a outdoor taco stand with VERY nice employees. Pretty unusual for a taco stand.
Ok, I knew it would have to come sooner or later, my La Estrella review....*sigh* now everyone is going to know me for the taco-crazed fanatic that I really am...only from here though!!
I swear La Estrella (especially this particular one) has the best tacos in the whole world, and yes, that includes Mexico too. What in the WORLD do they season their asada with?? It doesn't matter!! It's fking delicious! I am SO HAPPY that this location is open 24 hours, because I cannot even begin to describe how many a drunken club night me and my friends end up here at 3 am wolfing down tacos and nachos from this place like there is no tomorrow. (Kinda like last night, ahem...)
For those that have never been, and those who have (and if you have you WILL be back..yes you will) the top three MUST TRY things off the menu are:
1. ANYTHING with Asada in it, but the asada tacos are freaking to die for
2. Fish taco - the thing is humongous and so good that you wont even realize you ate that entire monstrosity, without sharing.
3. Their red sauce, put it on anything, put it on everything. Doesn't matter, it makes everything taste better and it's JUSTTT spicy enough.
But this place isn't just for when you're drunk after the club (even though everything tastes way better when you're tipsy, so if you eat here while buzzed you might actually think your tongue died and went to heaven), any time of day their food is good. No, it's GREAT. And the prices are super cheap. $1.25 for a taco (basically all the meat they could stuff on a corn tortilla), a little over 2 bucks for a fish taco that you need both hands to eat, it's so huge, and a little over 5 bucks for nachos with every freaking topping in the world...and they are all ridiculously delicious. Not that hungry? Get a side of their freshly made tortilla chips and dip em in their red sauce. You'll be good :)
This place is, and always will be, the BEST Mexican food everrrr. Super authentic. I don't care if you're used to gourmet only $100 plates, or if you're not really a Mexican food fan. It doesn't matter who you are you will find something you like here, for sure. No frills, just incredibly good food.
Man I can't even write a review for this place without craving, it should be a crime for food to be this good. Yeah I'm off to get some nacho-- I mean to go to bed..heh... :)
Pretty much the best al pastor I've had, except off the spit. The tortillas were super fresh, with the right amount of grease from the griddle, and the salsa roja is absolutely outstanding - equals Tacos por Favor and King Taco, and may even be better. The folks behind the counter are very helpful and accommodating when you place your order. These tacos are far too good to get to go - sit down with a cold soda in the heart of gangland and chow on some of the best Al Pastor tacos around.
I heart fish burrito.
If you like the La Estrella Taco Trucks, you will love this place. This is a permanent shack right off the Gold Line that's open 24/7 for cheap tacos. It's always here, it's always cheap and it's always good.
I'm still relatively new to LA, but I bring all my out of town friends here for authentic (as far as I know) LA tacos; it's close to me, and the best of the true taquerias I have sampled.
$1.25 for a taco, killer red sauce, open 24 hours. I love the al pastor and the pollo. I've had better asada at other places, including King Taco.
Parking is painful during the day, or on the weekends, when there are baseball games going at the nearby park. Pretty easy at 2 am, though.
It's unbelievable to me that the Taco Bell across the street can still be open.
Jalapenos has nothing on this place!
Jalapenos = best Mexican food in Irvine..La Estrella is the best Mexican taco place you will find in California. I have been going here since I was 5..? My dad's work is only 5 minutes away from it. I was reminded how good this place has always been when my dad took me and my bf here for some tacos a few weeks ago. (it's been a while) Inside you will find all Mexicans grubbing on their tacos or mole- eh with their families. If you're totally white, you'd probably feel out of place and stick out like a sore thumb. Not me! If you're ever in the hood of East L.A., check out La Estrella. Childhood memories...
This place looks like it would be perfect as a movie set . . . angular structured, outdoor Mexican food stand . . . on Figueroa . . . Gold Line train tracks are directly behind, cutting diagonally across Fig with the occasional small town feel of the train going by every once in a while. . . an outdoor patio with a nice wall mural . . . a brightly lit Taco Bell stands across the street pitifully trying to look cool (sort of like the moped pulling up to the Harley at a light.
Tacos La Estrella #3 is open 24 hours and that's usually something one makes a mental note of, should the need arise. I really only come for a few things here, and usually only when everything around is closed or closing. Their tacos are good, but I prefer La Chapalita in Lincoln Heights . . . their tortas are good, but I prefer Wendy's Tortas in Lincoln Heights too. But, La Estrella is always open, so its always an option.
The torta is simple. I usually get the al-pastor. Its rather unadorned . . . al-pastor pork, lettuce, tomato and some peppers . . . notthing to get crazy about (did I mention Wendy's Tortas are the best!). The chips they sell on the side ($0.50 or $1.00) are nice and salty (its fried corn, so I'm not worried about sodium on this one) and their salsa (both the red and the green) are rock solid.
The entire menu has only a few items over 5 bucks (the shrimp burrito is $7.75; the shrimp cocktail is $7.99) . . . otherwise a torta sets you back $5 . . . tacos $1.25 . . . a breakfast burrito (maybe chorizo & eggs?) $4.
If you're in North East LA and its late, and you're hungry . . . its a solid call.
Rocked!!! 24 hour joint, I had 2 Taco's that where delicious and a tuttifrutti mexican soda. Definitely heading back there for some late night grub.
Fish tacos are scrumptious!!! =)
Skip the brick and mortar restaurant and go to the Taco Truck La Estrella has on York blvd and 54 ave. You will get a lot of quality for your buck. It's as simple as that. Go from Lengua, Asada, Al Pastor or anything else. I love getting a burrito with two different kinds of meats.
There's just something about eating a taco or burrito while standing around out doors that makes you feel like you're in a puebla street in Mexico. Gets rid of all the flair that most Mexican restaurants have and the cheesy fake Spanish decor that just screams 80's Taco bell.
So go and grab a taco from their truck and you'll be in heaven.
This place serves a great purpose in highland park. They are the place to go to at 2am after a night of dancing and drinking. They are decently priced, food is good and theres always an interesting mix of locals, hipsters and crazies at this place. The mural on the wall is one of the best things about it.
the only thing that sucks is the parking. not much except for up the street from it, its a tiny walk but i wish they had 2am drunk people close up drive thru parking.. that would be nice.
Real taco alert -- do not go if you want nouveau, north-of-the-border type food. The tacos come with cilantro and onions, the fish and shrimp with cabbage. No cheese, tomatoes, lettuce which are all US additions. The chicken and fish tacos are both great, although the fish is deep fried and a little greasy. The people I was with raved about the al pastor.
Seating at this 'restaurant' consists of 3 outdoor tables on Fig, so don't go if you want quiet!
The $1 tacos can be had 24 hours a day!
apparently the management has changed?
the staff is nicer and the recipe for the meat changed. +1 star
i only come here for the steak nachos. i don't like the flavors/seasoning of their tacos too much… Read more »
La Estrella translates to "the star"* in spanish... and let me tell you, La Estrella on Fig shines like a beacon of hope in the wee morning sky after crawling out of an after-hours sesh at the Cave (Or Footsies... or Mr. T's). The shrimp burrito stands LEGIT on an "I'm not wasted" level, and it exceeds the expectations of your run-of-the-mill 24-hour taco stand (pretty much anywhere). I'm not the kind to roam outside of my usual taquito or burrito order but from what I hear, everything served up at the ol' Star is worth mentioning. I also find it humorous when the register guy empathizes with my spanglish and finishes my sentences. I know for sure he understands "Mucho chips por favor!"
This place is a BIG incentive for traveling to Highland Park for a bar crawl.
This place has really good tacos, it's open 24 hours, and it's cheap.. how they can keep a Taco Bell in business across the street is beyond me.
This place takes me back to my youngin' days, when me and my homies would buy a bunch of tacos and just sit in the back watching the trains go by. I make sure to eat here everytime i come to LA.
If you eat here, you HAVE to get the spicy salsa roja (red sauce) if you like your food spicy. They'll give you one or two small salsa cups of it and you can add it to your tacos.. I heartily believe that this is the best hot sauce in town.
The shrimp taco at Estrella #3 is manna from Mexican heaven. No frills, not much parking, lots of vato customers and sensational tacos, certainly as good as the truck over in on Ave. 54
Carne asada? Carnitas? Al pastor? If you are in for the real deal than stop off here. Proximity to the Gold Line makes it an ideal stop for me on my way home. Pick up a box full or tacos and the hubster and I are in for a real treat (dinner for two for under 10 bucks???)!
Downfall of La Estrella? NO PARKING. It's a bitch and a half to find a place to pull over and get your taco fix.
La Estrella is the taco truck/restaurant my friends and I always fall back on. It's close, it's cheap, it's always open. But that doesn't mean it's great. It's good, but certainly not great. For one, I refuse to call any taqueria without a salsa bar "great". And not only does La Estrella not offer unlimited quantities of various salsas, they CHARGE you for extra salsa. Maybe that only happened to me but let me tell you, I was PISSED.
As to the food, I know this makes no sense, but the tacos at the La Estrella taco truck on York are substantially superior to the tacos at the La Estrella stand on Fig. (But still not great!) The carne asada is good and the al pastor is ok, but there's better elsewhere. The lengua is definitely tender and I've mostly relying on those. I've had the shrimp tacos and while definitely shrimpy they were a little bland. My shrimpies were dying for flavor!
Anyway, if it's late and you're hungry and craving tacos, this place totally works, but if you're really looking for some serious awesome, knock you on your ass tacos this might not be the place.
Had I written this 5 years ago, I would have given this outdoor only seating place 5 stars. I went recently and with the new gold line construction and other factors that limit parking, I was really annoyed.
I ordered the asada burrito, which I used to love there, and the quality was horrible. Taco bell's fake asada tasted better than this shit. If you're in this area, their taco truck on York or the taco trucks on Eagle Rock Blvd at night are waaaay better than this joint.
This place is a quick fix for tacos! $1.25each hmmm....sounds so good! Now, we had put in an order for 15 tacos and it made us feel like we when all the way to Mexico to get some.
This place is a nice place to get a quick fix and not sit through the drive thur at Jack in the Crack or Carl's Jr. For less than $10bucks you should be good to go!
I like the tacos here but in my personal opinion I still love Los Tacos! O yeah parking is kinda crappy...now beware on those late nights you don't want to park far from your car.....=O
Great veggie burrito (not on the menu but they have it), and great al pastor. This is the first restraunt I found when I moved into the area and frequent it regularly. Food is great drunk or sober.
Ask for a side of red sauce, it isn't hot but it tastes great on everything.
How often I've heard people sing the praises of 'La Estrella.' I've never understood why. Bland sauce, crappy meat, stingy portions. To quote a tired old phrase, "such terrible food and what small portions." The nachos are OK but OK nachos do not a great taco stand make. This doesn't seem to make a difference to your average hipster who have made 'La Estrella' their enclave. Of course, your average hipster wouldn't know a great taco from a Del Taco.
As if all that wasn't bad enough, the service just plain stinks. Nearly every single time I've frequented this joint, my order would be messed up. As if that wasn't enough, the help is just outright rude at times. I'd give this place one star save for the fact that it's open 24 hours. This, to me, is 'La Estrella's' saving grace. Avoid unless you're famished, inebriated, and it's 4:00 a.m. Everyone else should go to the 'El Taquito Mexicano' truck off of Fair Oaks/California in Pasadena. Now that's a REAL taco and a damn good one to boot.
We love the La Estrella taco truck on York. Their Al Pastor tacos are seriously addictive. Late at night there is nothing better than a trip down the hill to La Estrella.
We have gone to try the one on Fig but it has always been so crowded that we skip it and go to the truck on York.
After reading some of these reviews i think we might have made good decisions.
Tried the burrito once... unimpressive. Not bad, just eh.
Living in Highland Park for the last three years has been very fulfilling. Public transportation is fairly accessible, there are a ton of cute shops, and the one and only La Estrella within walking distance. I cannot emphasize on how many times my friends and I would walk or roll up into the place whether it be just for a midnight snack or heavily intoxicated. I have never strayed away from the carne asada tacos with the red sauce.. although because I was with vegetarians once, I did get a couple bean tacos, those were good as well.
Employees are awesome, very accommodating. La Estrella never lets me down.
If youre out late, and need some good tacos.. this place will do you in just fine. Super cheap, and tasty. Not THE best, but its up there. This is not your baja fresh joint either.. The staple carne asada taco is pretty much just that... Two tortillas, carne asada, cilantro, and onion. No frills.. Order up a plate of four, have your horchata, your lemon, radishes with lemon and salt.. and youre good to go for under 7 bucks.
I might head a little south on fig to El Atacor if you're in for something a little more special than tacos.
I've only been to the Highland Park location, which I'd driven past many times and vowed to visit. The tacos are a dollar and are stuffed full which is great. I was surprised to find the ceviche (served unceremoniously with a large, fried tostada with which to eat it) was delightful! Tangy and oniony and the fish was fresh, and as good as Senor Fish's ceviche. Yum! La Estrella rocks! And your will cost less than the amount of change in your couch!
the real deal
try the al pastor and fish tacos
open 24 hours
always a line, especially when the clubs get out
parking is limited since they painted all the nearby curbs red for the gold line.
good taco review at: http://tacohunt.blogsp...
there is another la estrella truck on york and ave 54.
on a side note la estrella anchors north end of what i call the great taco war of 05-06. on figueroa blvd any night from ave 50-ave 60, you can find 4-6 taco trucks that are all in cutthroat price war. weeknights prices for individual tacos range from .80-$1, and on busy weekends the 2-1 signs come out. so far most of the trucks have stood their ground. especially resilient is the 'tacos sabor' trucks that park on both sides down by ave 52. although la estrella is good. for quicker and cheaper try the trucks.
Great place, authentic LA. Across the street is a big Mexican pride mural featuring Montezuma, Pancho Villa, Benito Juarez, Emiliano Zapata and Subcommander Marcos, among others. The tacos and burritos are all great, the hot sauce is spicy (no bathrooms here) and they're open 24 hours. The staff doesn't really speak English, but you can order in English and it's no problem.
This 24hr. taco stand is a few blocks away from Mr. T's Bowl, and seemed to be about the only thing open past 9 in that area for food besides Taco Bell last night. I ordered a fantastic veggie burrito that had cabbage, cheese, salsa, beans (no lard, I'm fairly certain), and possibly rice (my memory of last night is a little hazy). I can't remember when I've had a better burrito for $4. The chips were really good, too. Highly recommended.
3 al pastor tacos and a large pina (pineapple) drink.
oh and sometimes a carne asada taco.
that is all.
if you think differently, then go across the street to taco bell. *yeck*
awesome employess, open 24 hrs. okay the food is not to die for, but when yr craving something at 2 or 3 am...its usually because your drunk or stoned. so just go for it.
update: i can't get enough of their red sauce!!!!
We call in our to go orders to La Estrella once a week - been doing it for the last 5 years and we enjoy our meals. The fish tacos, shrimp tacos & horchata are my favorite, and my husband gets the asada & al pastor tacos. The red sauce is delish and we can't get enough of it! On occasion, I order the ceviche which has always been fresh and comes in a generous portion. The items we regularly order are reliably tasty and fresh. I have found that the nachos are hit or miss - sometimes the chips can be soggy or stale and I don't like the velvetta cheese thing they have going on. The parking situation isn't great in the daytime, but is not a problem in the evening when we usually go. In the evening, we just park on the next block either before or after the stand and hoof it. Not a big deal. Maria is super nice to us and our portions have never been chintzy as reported by other Yelpers.
1/25/08: We actually just picked up dinner from La Estrella tonight. As usual, it was great and there was no waiting. We ordered 8 carne asada tacos w/ red sauce. The tacos were chock full of meat and they were well seasoned and delicious. We'll be back next week!
This place used to be Peter Pan's when I was in Jr. Highschool. La Estrella was a godsend for Highland Park. Where else can you get a kickass carne asada burrito at a gawdawful hour after a night of partying? To be honest, I've had mixed experiences here, but mostly it's been above average. Sometimes, they skimp and it ruins the experience, but because they have rotating cooks, it's understandable that it's hit or miss--but again, mostly hit. Every time I'm in the neighborhood, I'll eat there. It's better than going to a Taco Bell, seriously. Fish tacos a must try. Carne Asada burritos with red sauce on the side.
this place used to have good tacos back in the day. now they're skimpy and taste like fat. one star for effort and one for seating (there are only 3 tables but they're in front of a large interesting mural and i like watching things go by on main streets).
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Los Angeles, CA
Neighborhood: Highland Park
Category: Mexican
Neighborhood: Highland Park
Category: Mexican
Neighborhood: Highland Park
Category: Mexican
Neighborhood: Mid-City
Category: Mexican
Neighborhood: Highland Park
Category: Mexican
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