One year ago, Congress defunded public media. Now that we're 100% community funded, please become a sustaining member or increase your existing membership today.
Transplant taqueria: How a Tijuana taco made its way to LA
Mexico taco chain Taqueria Tijuanero has locations in San Diego and East LA.
(
Courtesy Taqueria Tijuanero
)
Listen
14:04
Taqueria Tijuanero brings Northern Mexican food across the border to LA
Guests: Aria Esquivel, owner and CFO of Taqueria Tijuanero, and Bill Esparza, James Beard award-winning food writer and taco expert.
The Esquivel family opened their first taqueria at Playas de Tijuana 15 years ago, with a focus on individually crafted tacos, each with its own pairing of salsa.
Since then, Taqueria Tijuanero — formerly Tijuanazo — has become an increasingly popular SoCal taco chain.
Owner Aria Esquivel sat down with AirTalk Friday host Austin Cross to talk about how it all started from a humble Tijuana brick-and-mortar and how they stay true to their distinct North Mexican menu.
The art of the taco
Esquivel’s father and mastermind behind Taqueria Tijuanero, Antonio Esquivel, began working in kitchens when he was 16 years old, working his way up from dishwasher to cook at French restaurants in Beverly Hills.
“What he really loved about the taco and the art of the taco in Tijuana is how these ingredients mesh so well together,” Esquivel said.
That’s when the family opened up their own restaurant in Playas de Tijuana in 2011.
Sponsored message
Mexico's taco diversity
Because of Mexico’s diverse landscape of crops, history and even weather patterns, taco styles can actually vary quite a bit depending on where you are in the country.
“ The tacos in Mexico City are different," Esquivel said. "The tacos in Sonora are different. The Tijuana tacos are different."
Fresh al pastor
(
(Courtesy Taqueria Tijuanero
)
Al pastor taco
(
Courtesy Taqueria Tijuanero
)
Bill Esparza, the James Beard Award-winning food writer who's spent the last two decades chronicling L.A.'s taco scene, helped curate Taqueando After Dark, a new food festival that will feature eight L.A. taco vendors, including Taqueria Tijuanero.
“When I see theirs, I see what I see in Mexico,” Esparza said of Taqueria Tijuanero’s tacos, adding, “It’s a taco that really has a lot of intentionality behind it.”
Support Southern California's food scene
From neighborhood gems to can't-miss restaurants, your donation helps LAist bring you the latest discoveries, guides, and flavors that make Southern California unique.
Sponsored message
How to experience Taqueando After Dark festival
Taqueando After Dark takes over Level 8 for two nights, Aug. 27 and 28. (Courtesy of Level 8)
(
Courtesy Taqueando After Dark
)
Location: Level 8, inside the Moxy Hotel — 1254 S Figueroa St., 8th Floor
Dates: Thursday, Aug. 27 and Friday, Aug. 28, 6 p.m.– late
Cost: $40–$135 (each ticket valid for one night only; general admission includes 5–6 bites)
Add-ons: Early chef access, all-you-can-drink package, $35 guided tequila tasting
Tickets: eventbrite.com
Read more: LA taqueros meet Baja’s best for two-night DTLA taco festival
New location coming:
- The family is in the process of opening its third SoCal location in Echo Park.
How to visit:
- Address: 355 S Atlantic Blvd., East Los Angeles
- Hours: Closed on Mondays | Tuesday-Sunday, open from 11 a.m. to 10 p.m.
- Costs: Tacos are $3.95 each
One year ago, Congress voted to defund public media, eliminating a critical $1.7 million from our budget every year going forward. But they couldn’t silence us, and we’re not going anywhere. LAist is now 100% community funded and that means we’re taking our future into our own hands and turning to you to keep local reporting strong.
You come to LAist because you want independent reporting and trustworthy local information. Our nonprofit newsroom doesn’t answer to shareholders looking to turn a profit. Instead, we answer to you and our communities. We are free to follow facts wherever they lead and to hold power to account without fear or favor. Our only loyalty is to our readers and listeners and our mission: to inform, engage, and strengthen Southern California’s communities.
If this story helped you, please become a monthly member today to help sustain this mission. It just takes 1 minute to donate below.
You come to LAist because you want independent reporting and trustworthy local information. Our nonprofit newsroom doesn’t answer to shareholders looking to turn a profit. Instead, we answer to you and our communities. We are free to follow facts wherever they lead and to hold power to account without fear or favor. Our only loyalty is to our readers and listeners and our mission: to inform, engage, and strengthen Southern California’s communities.
If this story helped you, please become a monthly member today to help sustain this mission. It just takes 1 minute to donate below.
Senior Vice President News, Editor in Chief
