Congress has cut federal funding for public media — a $3.4 million loss for LAist. We count on readers like you to protect our nonprofit newsroom. Become a monthly member and sustain local journalism.
This is an archival story that predates current editorial management.
This archival content was written, edited, and published prior to LAist's acquisition by its current owner, Southern California Public Radio ("SCPR"). Content, such as language choice and subject matter, in archival articles therefore may not align with SCPR's current editorial standards. To learn more about those standards and why we make this distinction, please click here.
Recession Obsession: Greasy Comfortable Nostalgia
Mmmmm.... Calories...
A Recession Obsession is, 1) a meal so great that it stays in your mind long after digestion's end, and, 2) plays nice with your sensitive wallet. Is there a better place than Los Angeles to eat a wide variety of amazing food that so happens to be inexpensive? Probably not. We're as lucky as we are well fed. We last obsessed over Tweetin' Mobile Chinese Tacos, andthe last nine months of this column. Today, we obsess...
Today’s Recession Obsession is a gluttonous walk down memory lane, a trip to Campos Tacos in Venice, where a plate of hard-shelled chicken tacos, chips, and a drink is but $7. While this Campos location might look like a dime-a-dozen Mexican hole-in-the-wall (with a scary bathroom,) to this author, it represents the birth of a love affair, an LAist’s latest Recession Obsession.
This Recession Obsessionist once had limited experience with Mexican food. Hard to believe, I know. But hailing from Albany, New York, one didn’t see Mexican food made by Mexicans (much less for Mexicans.)
Support for LAist comes from
Of course there was Tex-Mex, food whose maker was more likely to feature Tex origins than Mex origins, and somehow everything ended up in the deep-deep fryer. With that fare, the emphasis was always on the chips and salsa (which was nothing more than a masticatory lubricant.)
On my second visit to LA, when I was 17, I somehow ended up at Campos in Venice. A plate of hard-shelled chicken tacos seemed like a great lunch. Plus I wasn’t ready for anything less gringoy like corn-torilla soft tacos.
The Tacos
They were warm and calorically dense. Wonder comfort food. I felt like I could see them slowly concealing: the shredded cheese clutched the chicken, chunky salsa, and non-descript lettuce. As a pool of grease formed on my plate, the crispiness of the shells didn’t last long. That was no problem. These gateway drugs brought me to heaven.
Thousands of tacos later, including ones in Mexico, and every corner of Los Angeles, I have Campos in Venice to thank. Now, as a Los Angeles resident, the way I show my thanks is to be a patron eleven years after First Bite.
I know there are a few Campos Tacos around. I’ve only had a meal at one other and it wasn't much. I choked down some kind of slimey burrito with Grade F beans and Grade D eggs. Breakfast of Campeones! So, I can’t speak to the other locations, but in Venice, a plate of their hard chicken tacos doesn’t cost much, and the nostalgia is definitely free.
- Campos Tacos Venice | 427 Lincoln Boulevard | Venice 90291 | (310) 396-8749
Photo by Caleb Bacon (Twitter) for LAist
Support for LAist comes from
Where do you get your greasy nostalgia? Comment Below!
As Editor-in-Chief of our newsroom, I’m extremely proud of the work our top-notch journalists are doing here at LAist. We’re doing more hard-hitting watchdog journalism than ever before — powerful reporting on the economy, elections, climate and the homelessness crisis that is making a difference in your lives. At the same time, it’s never been more difficult to maintain a paywall-free, independent news source that informs, inspires, and engages everyone.
Simply put, we cannot do this essential work without your help. Federal funding for public media has been clawed back by Congress and that means LAist has lost $3.4 million in federal funding over the next two years. So we’re asking for your help. LAist has been there for you and we’re asking you to be here for us.
We rely on donations from readers like you to stay independent, which keeps our nonprofit newsroom strong and accountable to you.
No matter where you stand on the political spectrum, press freedom is at the core of keeping our nation free and fair. And as the landscape of free press changes, LAist will remain a voice you know and trust, but the amount of reader support we receive will help determine how strong of a newsroom we are going forward to cover the important news from our community.
Please take action today to support your trusted source for local news with a donation that makes sense for your budget.
Thank you for your generous support and believing in independent news.
Chip in now to fund your local journalism
(
LAist
)
Trending on LAist
-
The critical findings are part of long-awaited after-action report was released Thursday. It contains recommendations for increasing emergency staffing and updating old systems. -
Diving has changed, mountain biking has been added. Here's where to watch the Olympics in person in 2028. -
'A Great Day in the Stoke' is a free, daylong event in Orange County billed as 'the largest gathering of Black surfers in history.' The fourth annual festival is set for Saturday in Huntington Beach. -
Kimmel returned less than a week after ABC suspended his show over comments he made about the assassination of right wing activist Charlie Kirk. -
Southern California might see some light rain tonight into Wednesday morning. After that, cooler weather is on the way, but expect the humidity to remain. -
A gate tax at Disney? It's a possibility.
Best of LAist