Taco Tuesday

August 18th, 2009

I’ve got a good ole’ friend from TOMS and her name is Emma.  We have a small tradition of visiting a new taco stand around LA every Tuesday.  We’ve stuffed our faces in all corners of the city, from LAX Tacos to Tacos Por Favor, up to Pili’s, down to Don Antonios and across to Holy Guacamole, about a dozen lugares so far.  In all of these wanderings we have not been unanimously blown away until today.  I present to you the taco stand to beat (thus far)!… Mariscos Guillen La Playita on Lincoln and Ozone.  Lurking in the shadows of the sceney Whole Foods, It satisfies all my whole-in-the-wall cravings: funky atmosphere (no tables, just a whole lotta sidewalk), prices that make you feel like you are committing a minor robbery (I walked away stuffed for 4 bucks), and, claro que si, food that restores your faith in a higher gastronomic power.  The BBQ pork and chicken tacos were decent, but Emma ordered a shrimp taco ($1.25), and the bite she shared with me was superb.  It was fresh, spicy, and plentiful.  There’s no doubt you’re comin’ here for the seafood.

The real kicker at La Playita is the ceviche.  Too often am I presented with a ceviche that’s just a scale too fishy, just a gill too gooey, just a fin too funky,  but not today.  And for $1.50 you get a very healthy helping of ceviche on a giant round tortilla chip..  The slice of fresh lime and the 1 liter bottle of Tapatio really put this dish over the edge.  It was crisp and refreshing, like a drink’a water, a perfect compliment to an LA summer day.  Way to go Playita, I solute you!
But we’re not yet done searching!  ¡Viva el taco!

-Ryan

photo courtesy of The Eaten Path.