El Chato ~ Los Angeles

La Brea near Olympic ~ Los Angeles, night time

El Chato is a can't miss proposition. The location is just about perfect for hundreds of thousands of Angelenos craving late-night sustenance on their way home from wherever, and the tacos are solid and sometimes sublime. I have stopped at this spot more times then I can count, sometimes without even really meaning to. Have you ever been in a situation where you're cruising down the street, not really even thinking about tacos, when all of the sudden a gleaming white taco truck catches your eye, and, as if under the power of a Haitian voodoo priest, you pull over and order some tacos, and scarf them down before the spell is lifted? If you're like me, the answer is yes and such is the power El Chato holds over me.

The pastor is the standout here, it's moist, tangy, spicy, and everything a good pastor should be. Add their grilled onion on top and you've got just about everything you need on a paper plate. Asada is also good if not super-especial like the pastor. Next time you're on your way somewhere on La Brea, look for the white glow in the auto-repair lot and give in to El Chato's late-nite powers.

Our fearless photog Cbro spotted El Chato on their way home after a long night of taco-slangin' and snapped these action shots. These pictures were incredibly dangerous to procure so enjoy them. One note-- El Chato used to be called El Pecas #2 so if you remember that wagon, parked in the same spot, have no fear, this is the same place.

Los Angeles ~ CA