Tacos Arabes

Saw this place on Ugly Delicious so made the 6 hour drive to take my own taco tour. This ended up being the last stop as it opens in the evening. Full disclosure I was absolutely stuffed so didn't eat a whole taco . We ordered the especiale -I managed two bites and immediately regretted not being able to restrain myself from the tacos I had eaten earlier. Absolutely delicious. Perfect flavor and liked the pan -araba that the fillings were encased in. Will definitely come back here. Note. I intend to fast for the day so I can come here and eat 10 of them

Amazing tacos!!!! Tbh I'm a very picky eater and I don't like every restaurant and won't give every restaurant a 5 star review, but this place is worth it. I always look at food this way, either it's an investment towards your taste buds or not and the food you just are is simply just to fill you up so you won't feel hungry. Well, this my friends is an investment. I totally recommend! Worth the drive if you're not near by, if you do live near by, then idk why you haven't tried them yet. GO TRY THEM!!!

If you really would like to experience the real food from Puebla, Mexico, this is the place you need to come by; absolutely original flavors and truly pueblan flavor and menu. Intense and great cuisine from the fantastic Tacos Arabes, to the succulent Mole and the most delicious CEMITAS (try the milanesa or the Pata de Res) everything has quesillo on it and huge slices of avocado if you like to have the ideal experience, and please do, you won't regret it at all. The aguas frescas (natural fruit drinks) magnificently well made, with real fruit that you can see in your glass. And a very important feature, if you really don't want to wait, you can call them ahead of time, and they prepare you whatever you like from the extensive menu, and it will be ready for you to pick up. Also they do catering, so another great choice if you really want to impress your guests, with the BEST!!! OBVIOUSLY extremely recommended!!!

Look, if you're into tacos árabes, this is it. Good luck finding any other place in the US that makes them. That said, these would fit right in with any other taqueria in Puebla, which makes it great in my book. Just walking up to the truck makes me feel nostalgic with the smell. It is truly a special place to me. The only "bad" thing I'd say about this food truck, at least for me, is that they aren't really talkative, though I suppose that is on-brand for Puebla, so I can't really count it against them.

If you haven't tried the taco Arabic. They are a must. Made freshly with hand-made tortillas and the tenderness meat you can eat. They do charge 2 more bucks for adding cheese and avocado, but it's a must to try even more so with their salsa.

Seriously so yummy. I don’t eat pork, but I had to have a taste considering how yummy it looked. The adobado sauce was really good. A really unique Puebla dish, the arabe tortilla was interesting. Worth a visit! There are also cute alley cats that hang out waiting for scraps!

Some of the best Michigan food from my truck in Los Angeles County. The food is impeccable and everything they do is done. Really well executed very well.

“The Arabic tacos offer a unique fusion of Mexican and Middle Eastern flavors. While the pig’s head sandwich can be a bit chewy, it brings back fond memories of my favorite Hong Kong street food, pig’s ear, from my childhood. The quesadilla Huitlacoche is another standout dish that is both unique and delicious. Prices are reasonable, making this a great spot to try something new and tasty.”

I've wanting to try these tacos for a long time. They were recommended to me way before they came out on all the food shows. Finally got to try the taco arabe especial. I typically squeeze lemon and add salsa to my tacos but the arabe especial needs ABSOLUTELY NOTHING! All I can say is wow and thank you!

Stopped by here on a whim through my friend. I already ate some tacos beforehand and was full but could care less. We stopped by here around 10:20pm. No line. It was my first time. You know it was going to be some good stuff because it was in an area that seemed shady but with lights to help. I asked what they were known for but they already sold out of it, arabes. That didn’t stop me from ordering from what they had left. I got carnitas and cabeza tacos. I also decided to go for their quesadillas even though I normally don’t go out of my own way to get some. I saw a glimpse of blue corn tortillas through a picture and forgot about it. Once the cashier asked which tortillas I wanted for the quesadillas and he brought up the option of blue tortillas, I definitely had to get them. I even asked if I could get all my food items with the blue corn tortillas, he said yes and it was a done deal. I normally don’t come across blue corn tortillas but I know, you have to have them if you have the opportunity to do so. I almost decided to save mine for later but decided it’s probably best to just eat it on the spot. It was probably the best decision and one the better tacos/quesadillas I’ve ever had. That tortilla tasted handmade/homemade. So good. The cheese and meat in that quesadilla, decided to go with carnitas for it but oof. I definitely have to come back for some of the arabes. Hands down one of the better Mexican joints not just considering it’s a food truck but overall this is legit that good. Don’t know if they accept card but I had cash on hand just in case because its LA either way.

Must try!! order the special arabe taco.. Fresh flower tortillas is like a soft blessing paired with the perfect combination of meat, Oaxaca cheese, avacado & Chipotle salsa! 🤤 also jugos such as passion fruit are also delicious!

Wow... amazingly smoky and flavorful meat. The salsa is tangy and a little sweet, all together it reminds me of a cross between American bbq pork, adobada and shawarma. The tortilla is super thick too almost like a pita and absorbs all the delicious juices. These tacos are on another level.

Had the tacos arabes with cheese and avocado. They're very tender and full of flavor! Very fresh and non greasy. They're a must try if you're near the area. Expect a long wait time for tacos. It's best if order by phone. Cash only, $3.50 for a taco add $1 more if you want the special version ( with chipotle sauce, avocado and cheese)

One of the best and unique tacos we had in Los Angeles, definitely worth the drive

Saw several food trucks along the road and had to stop at one! This one had the most people so we turned around. Taco was really really good! Can't remember the name of it but was similar to a el pastor but more of a thinner meat chunk. Salsas were good as well! Gotta love L.A.!

The tacos arabes were simple but delicious! The molote de requeson was good, and the semita (torta) de milanesa was delicious! Would definitely come back when we’re in LA. They do not open at the time announced here tho. We drove by a few times and called to confirm if they were going to show up.

The food is pretty damn good! There's no menu, so we had to ask the cashier about the options and he was very patient and detailed in letting us know about our options. We got the chipotle salsa on the side of our Tacos Arabes "Especiales" (they add avocado and quesillo) on our first order but it wasn't that spicy, but very tasty so if you're so inclined feel free to ask for your tacos "con todo". The menu is simple, but don't confuse it with basic. The meat choices are cecina(salted and sun dried beef), asada, árabe (marinated pork) and I believe cabeza. Tacos Arabes come in a hand sized flour tortilla and the other meats come in your choice of flour or small taco sized corn tortillas. We tried the Arabes and cecina and both were delicious. The salsas compliment the tacos very well and the meats went super greasy. The tacos are served with generous portions of meat. They also offer a wide array of bottled sodas but we went with the limonada con chía they had just mixed. Not shabby at all. Stop reading and go try these tacos! Added 2022: don't take plastic, but Zelle and Venmo are welcome, along with cash.

When does a newly-introduced migrant food become part of a regional cuisine? Culinary miscegenation is common in immigrant-rich melting pots like America and Mexico, with Mexican cuisine itself being a marriage of Spanish and Mesoamerican food traditions. This combined cuisine has continued to change over the past century as new large immigrant groups have contributed. In earlier reviews this summer, I've drooled over battered fish tacos that adapted its tempura-like coating from Asian immigrants to Mexico in the 1950s, and al pastor tacos that originated from middle eastern cooking techniques brought to the Mexican state of Puebla by Arab immigrants in the early 20th century. The food offered by food truck "Los Originales Tacos Arabes De Puebla" in Boyle Heights is the "missing link" between Lebanese shawarma and the meat served in today's modern "al pastor taco" that Mexican shawarma would eventually "evolve" into once it left the state of Puebla. The shawarma-spiced pork carved off of the trompo in this truck is arguably just as awesome as any al pastor pork found around Los Angeles, but it tastes much different. Across the ocean, this type of recipe is traditionally made with lamb, a staple meat of Arabic cuisine, but the Lebanese immigrants adapted to pork, which was a more traditional and affordable meat in Mexico. The Villegas family, the married couple who own and operate this truck, closely guard their secret shawarma marinade recipe from Puebla and refuse to acknowledge even a single ingredient in it. But, near as I can tell, rather than the achiote, citrus, chiles, and pineapple used in a typical al pastor marinade, for their mysterious pork shawarma, the prominent flavors are instead mostly savory and feature a heavy hand of garlic, some kind of allium, and a heap of oregano, with perhaps thyme or a za'atar blend. If you order sensibly, the meat will be piled into a pan árabe rather than a tortilla. A pan árabe looks a little like a pita, but thinner, and more resembles a flour tortilla in taste and texture, aside from the grainy flour on its surface. Since I upgraded my "Taco Árabe" to a "Taco Árabe Especial," it was served with shredded Oaxacan cheese and wedges of fresh avocado in addition to a drizzle of their sweet, smoky, and mildly spicy chipotle salsa that evokes an American barbecue sauce. This is ideal "street food," in that I can't imagine sitting down at a table and eating this taco. To savor something like this, I need to be walking somewhere, anywhere; one mustn't think as much about it as I have, but rather simply enjoy the tasty.

MÉXICO 🇲🇽 Eat the World LA review: A few weeks ago I had the opportunity to be at one of the last evenings this beloved Olympic Blvd institution still used their old trailer, a nightly event for the past seven years. A couple evenings later they would party with a mariachi band and inaugurate their brand new and beautiful truck, which is now home to their nocturnal operation. It was nice to show up on one of these final nights and focus on los originales, the simple tacos that made this truck a destination. Tacos árabes ($3.50 each) are some original fusion cuisine, born in the city of Puebla but spread throughout the country and to cities like Los Angeles with large diaspora. Even the Christian Lebanese immigrants to México in the 1920's and 1930's were eating mostly lamb, cooked on a vertical spit like has been common for shawarma for centuries. Eventually this meat made its way onto flour tortillas that somewhat replicated a thin pita bread (pan árabe). The children of these immigrants would start cooking pork in a similar fashion and the obsession has continued to this day. Here at the trailer (now the truck!), a few tables and chairs are spread out for immediate dining. It takes a bit for your order to come through as it seems the family is always putting together a few massive takeout orders as well, but the atmosphere here is communal and enjoyable to be a part of while waiting.

I drove from Tucson for the Cemita Milanese and it was worth every hours, minutes and seconds of it. I am in awe and ecstasy. I feel grateful.

Pretty damn delicious! The meat was tender and flavorful. The Chipotle was Smokey, and a wonderful alternative to the typical Rojo or Verde salsa. I visited on a Saturday, at about 10 p.m. No wait, plenty of seating available. That is, if you don't mind the family of feral cats nearby. My only criticism: I came to this taco truck from the Netflix documentary, "ugly delicious." Per the documentary, the tacos arabes was supposed to be on a pita-type tortilla, but it wasn't. However, it doesn't take away from the pure deliciousness that was the taco. I do recommend the upgrade to the especial.

I think this might be my favorite new place. Tortilla game is next level. Asada and Oaxaca cheese combo was perfect

FullTime X2

Saw several food trucks along the road and had to stop at one! This one had the most people so we turned around. Taco was really really good! Can't remember the name of it but was similar to a el pastor but more of a thinner meat chunk. Salsas were good as well! Gotta love L.A.!

Andrea Covarrubias

The tacos arabes were simple but delicious! The molote de requeson was good, and the semita (torta) de milanesa was delicious! Would definitely come back when we’re in LA. They do not open at the time announced here tho. We drove by a few times and called to confirm if they were going to show up.

Noémie D-L

I drove from Tucson for the Cemita Milanese and it was worth every hours, minutes and seconds of it. I am in awe and ecstasy. I feel grateful.

Andres Leon

The food is pretty damn good! There's no menu, so we had to ask the cashier about the options and he was very patient and detailed in letting us know about our options. We got the chipotle salsa on the side of our Tacos Arabes "Especiales" (they add avocado and quesillo) on our first order but it wasn't that spicy, but very tasty so if you're so inclined feel free to ask for your tacos "con todo". The menu is simple, but don't confuse it with basic. The meat choices are cecina(salted and sun dried beef), asada, árabe (marinated pork) and I believe cabeza. Tacos Arabes come in a hand sized flour tortilla and the other meats come in your choice of flour or small taco sized corn tortillas. We tried the Arabes and cecina and both were delicious. The salsas compliment the tacos very well and the meats went super greasy. The tacos are served with generous portions of meat. They also offer a wide array of bottled sodas but we went with the limonada con chía they had just mixed. Not shabby at all. Stop reading and go try these tacos! Added 2022: don't take plastic, but Zelle and Venmo are welcome, along with cash.

Jay Keyes

When does a newly-introduced migrant food become part of a regional cuisine? Culinary miscegenation is common in immigrant-rich melting pots like America and Mexico, with Mexican cuisine itself being a marriage of Spanish and Mesoamerican food traditions. This combined cuisine has continued to change over the past century as new large immigrant groups have contributed. In earlier reviews this summer, I've drooled over battered fish tacos that adapted its tempura-like coating from Asian immigrants to Mexico in the 1950s, and al pastor tacos that originated from middle eastern cooking techniques brought to the Mexican state of Puebla by Arab immigrants in the early 20th century. The food offered by food truck "Los Originales Tacos Arabes De Puebla" in Boyle Heights is the "missing link" between Lebanese shawarma and the meat served in today's modern "al pastor taco" that Mexican shawarma would eventually "evolve" into once it left the state of Puebla. The shawarma-spiced pork carved off of the trompo in this truck is arguably just as awesome as any al pastor pork found around Los Angeles, but it tastes much different. Across the ocean, this type of recipe is traditionally made with lamb, a staple meat of Arabic cuisine, but the Lebanese immigrants adapted to pork, which was a more traditional and affordable meat in Mexico. The Villegas family, the married couple who own and operate this truck, closely guard their secret shawarma marinade recipe from Puebla and refuse to acknowledge even a single ingredient in it. But, near as I can tell, rather than the achiote, citrus, chiles, and pineapple used in a typical al pastor marinade, for their mysterious pork shawarma, the prominent flavors are instead mostly savory and feature a heavy hand of garlic, some kind of allium, and a heap of oregano, with perhaps thyme or a za'atar blend. If you order sensibly, the meat will be piled into a pan árabe rather than a tortilla. A pan árabe looks a little like a pita, but thinner, and more resembles a flour tortilla in taste and texture, aside from the grainy flour on its surface. Since I upgraded my "Taco Árabe" to a "Taco Árabe Especial," it was served with shredded Oaxacan cheese and wedges of fresh avocado in addition to a drizzle of their sweet, smoky, and mildly spicy chipotle salsa that evokes an American barbecue sauce. This is ideal "street food," in that I can't imagine sitting down at a table and eating this taco. To savor something like this, I need to be walking somewhere, anywhere; one mustn't think as much about it as I have, but rather simply enjoy the tasty.

Jared Cohee

MÉXICO 🇲🇽 Eat the World LA review: A few weeks ago I had the opportunity to be at one of the last evenings this beloved Olympic Blvd institution still used their old trailer, a nightly event for the past seven years. A couple evenings later they would party with a mariachi band and inaugurate their brand new and beautiful truck, which is now home to their nocturnal operation. It was nice to show up on one of these final nights and focus on los originales, the simple tacos that made this truck a destination. Tacos árabes ($3.50 each) are some original fusion cuisine, born in the city of Puebla but spread throughout the country and to cities like Los Angeles with large diaspora. Even the Christian Lebanese immigrants to México in the 1920's and 1930's were eating mostly lamb, cooked on a vertical spit like has been common for shawarma for centuries. Eventually this meat made its way onto flour tortillas that somewhat replicated a thin pita bread (pan árabe). The children of these immigrants would start cooking pork in a similar fashion and the obsession has continued to this day. Here at the trailer (now the truck!), a few tables and chairs are spread out for immediate dining. It takes a bit for your order to come through as it seems the family is always putting together a few massive takeout orders as well, but the atmosphere here is communal and enjoyable to be a part of while waiting.

Nancy Cheung

Pretty damn delicious! The meat was tender and flavorful. The Chipotle was Smokey, and a wonderful alternative to the typical Rojo or Verde salsa. I visited on a Saturday, at about 10 p.m. No wait, plenty of seating available. That is, if you don't mind the family of feral cats nearby. My only criticism: I came to this taco truck from the Netflix documentary, "ugly delicious." Per the documentary, the tacos arabes was supposed to be on a pita-type tortilla, but it wasn't. However, it doesn't take away from the pure deliciousness that was the taco. I do recommend the upgrade to the especial.

Roger C. Ellis

I think this might be my favorite new place. Tortilla game is next level. Asada and Oaxaca cheese combo was perfect

Guadalupe Leiva

Had the tacos arabes with cheese and avocado. They're very tender and full of flavor! Very fresh and non greasy. They're a must try if you're near the area. Expect a long wait time for tacos. It's best if order by phone. Cash only, $3.50 for a taco add $1 more if you want the special version ( with chipotle sauce, avocado and cheese)

Omri Polak

One of the best and unique tacos we had in Los Angeles, definitely worth the drive

This is truly one of the BEST taco spots in Los Angeles. They food is fresh, and the selection is unique and always delicious. We love this place so much that when we left LA, we hosted our going away party and they catered. It truly is the most amazing family who operates this business. If you love good food, tacos, and supporting a local business, this place is a must. Now that we are moving back, cannot wait to visit again!

The tacos arabes are delicious! The other things we have tried are good too, but the tacos are our favorite. We don't live in LA but come here every time we are in town and dream about them when we can't have them

The food is so fresh and good. Really unique and stands out in LA. Arebes Originale with all the extras is where it’s at.

Taylor Girouard

The food is so fresh and good. Really unique and stands out in LA. Arebes Originale with all the extras is where it’s at.

Cassidy Nelson

The tacos arabes are delicious! The other things we have tried are good too, but the tacos are our favorite. We don't live in LA but come here every time we are in town and dream about them when we can't have them

Patty Wu

This is truly one of the BEST taco spots in Los Angeles. They food is fresh, and the selection is unique and always delicious. We love this place so much that when we left LA, we hosted our going away party and they catered. It truly is the most amazing family who operates this business. If you love good food, tacos, and supporting a local business, this place is a must. Now that we are moving back, cannot wait to visit again!

Went here after watch ugly delicious. The tacos are not small and not too huge. I could easily eat three of them

Very good tacos arabes.quick service on a saturday night.

This place has been on my bucket list for a few years now. Worth keeping it on my list. First, all the staff are extremely friendly and helpful. We went on a fantastic day. They were not so busy and we were able to sit and enjoy our food. There was an amazingly talented unhomed person playing a guitar and singing. Wow... The food, oh the food... They are known for their Tacos de Árabe. So, that's a must try. You will regret it if you don't give it a try. We tried almost all the hits on the menu. Taco de cecina, taco de Árabe, cemita with milanesa, quesadilla de huetlacoche (spelling?).... Everything was good. Go hungry when you arrive. You'll want to try more than just one item. The cemita is large and will fill you up. The taco de Árabe is made with a flour tortilla (smallish size one), the corn tortillas are amazing and used for the other dishes they serve. Bottomline... I'm Mexican and picky about my Mexican food outside of home cooking. So, my review of this place should say it all. It's GOOD!!!

The asada tacos are pretty good and so are the arabe. However if I were to choose just one, definitely try the arabe. The green sauce is amazing and spicy. The Chipotle is also a good choice.

One of the busier trucks on the street. Also featured on Ugly Delicious with David Chang. Make sure you get your mexican soda to go along with your order. Can be a bit of a wait if there are large orders ahead of you, otherwise the food comes out at a brisk pace.

The tacos were good, but not my cup of meat. The discovery was the herb Papalo, which they offered as an accompaniment. Beware of the posted opening time - it is a truck and life doesn't begin until it rolls up.

Checked this place out after seeing on the Netflix show "Ugly Delicious". It was a little different from your regular taco. It was pretty good but nothing really to die for....Will I ever come back? Most definitely.

D Tang

One of the busier trucks on the street. Also featured on Ugly Delicious with David Chang. Make sure you get your mexican soda to go along with your order. Can be a bit of a wait if there are large orders ahead of you, otherwise the food comes out at a brisk pace.

William Roper

The tacos were good, but not my cup of meat. The discovery was the herb Papalo, which they offered as an accompaniment. Beware of the posted opening time - it is a truck and life doesn't begin until it rolls up.

Robert Kim

Checked this place out after seeing on the Netflix show "Ugly Delicious". It was a little different from your regular taco. It was pretty good but nothing really to die for....Will I ever come back? Most definitely.

Diana Rodriguez

This place has been on my bucket list for a few years now. Worth keeping it on my list. First, all the staff are extremely friendly and helpful. We went on a fantastic day. They were not so busy and we were able to sit and enjoy our food. There was an amazingly talented unhomed person playing a guitar and singing. Wow... The food, oh the food... They are known for their Tacos de Árabe. So, that's a must try. You will regret it if you don't give it a try. We tried almost all the hits on the menu. Taco de cecina, taco de Árabe, cemita with milanesa, quesadilla de huetlacoche (spelling?).... Everything was good. Go hungry when you arrive. You'll want to try more than just one item. The cemita is large and will fill you up. The taco de Árabe is made with a flour tortilla (smallish size one), the corn tortillas are amazing and used for the other dishes they serve. Bottomline... I'm Mexican and picky about my Mexican food outside of home cooking. So, my review of this place should say it all. It's GOOD!!!

Michael Tovar

The asada tacos are pretty good and so are the arabe. However if I were to choose just one, definitely try the arabe. The green sauce is amazing and spicy. The Chipotle is also a good choice.

A lot of hype around this place but sadly failed to deliver. The marinade used in the beef is allegedly inspired by the original style that that was imported by Lebanese immigrants to Mexico many years ago, so I presumed that it would be bursting with flavor; not the case on my tacos. Three stars for delicious tortillas, fresh ingredients, good quality meat, and a rare offering in food trucks of passionfruit agua fresca.

Unique but not my favorite tacos out there. The arabes tacos are quite large and have Middle Eastern spices so it kind of tastes like shawarma. At $3.50 a taco, its quite expensive. Also the wait to get my food was unnecessarily long. There were 6 people ahead of me and it took nearly 25 minutes to get my tacos.

Tacos arabes are more like burritos. $7 each. 2 are more than enough. We made the mistake of ordering too much. Also tried the huitlacoche quesadilla and I liked that more. Having just returned from Mexico, these Tacos arabes were just ok. Really nice tortillas but the meat was just ok. They are generous with lime. Got there right before they closed at 11 on a Saturday night and there was no waiting. I don't think I'd go again.

I've been back 2x since they bought the truck and I'm very disappointed to say that it isn't the same. The quality has gone down. The flavors just aren't hitting like they did the first few times I went. Service is still good but I'm just not that impressed anymore. I'd say its a 3.5 but I can't say I'm digging it as much anymore.

Eat Status

I've been back 2x since they bought the truck and I'm very disappointed to say that it isn't the same. The quality has gone down. The flavors just aren't hitting like they did the first few times I went. Service is still good but I'm just not that impressed anymore. I'd say its a 3.5 but I can't say I'm digging it as much anymore.

Tacos are ok. Not as Great as it was described on the TV show “Ugly Delicious”. Pork had a funny taste. Tortilla was good but not the meat. People described it as good as tacos in Puebla, but it’s simply not even close to it. If you ever feel like eating Good Tacos árabes, you will need to go to Puebla. La Oriental is a good place! Customer service was good!

Not my kind of tacos . Maybe for some but not for me. The flour tortillas were thick and hard . The carne asada was bland. I don't eat salsa so the salsa doesn't make the taco for me. The meat flavor does. You could try it and might like it but its not for me. You should try them. Make your own judgement.

Ben Aqi

Not my kind of tacos . Maybe for some but not for me. The flour tortillas were thick and hard . The carne asada was bland. I don't eat salsa so the salsa doesn't make the taco for me. The meat flavor does. You could try it and might like it but its not for me. You should try them. Make your own judgement.

Unfortunately we did not care for their tacos. My husband bit into alot of nerve, he did not appreciate that at $4.00 for an Arabe taco. The carne asada also had nerve. We will not be going back. $30.00 was alot for no satisfaction at all. The quesadilla tasted like lighter fluid. My husband was really looking forward to something special...didn't happen.

Honestly the tacos are not as good as they used to be the tortilla is not well heated. The meat was cold and the limit the salsa the price is outrageous for just a portion of marinated meat wrapped in a flower tortilla disappointed of how this business does not care about customers anymore