The Best Birria in Los Angeles

Have you jumped on the birria bandwagon yet? The traditional goat-meat stew dish first originated in Jalisco, Mexico, in the 1950s and hit the streets of South Central L.A. in 2015. Years later, hungry Angelenos are still hunting for the best birria in Los Angeles. I’ve got the categories you need right here!

Best for Beginners: Tacos Y Birria La Unica

With a name that means the one and only, you know this is where you should first bite some birria. You’ll find the Tacos Y Birria La Unica Food Truck traveling around Mid-City and Boyle Heights almost every day of the week. People go crazy for their Crunchy Deep Fried Taco Shell with Cheese (Quesabirrias) and that insane consomé birria broth. Choose between Res (beef) or Chivo (goat).

Best Big Box Birria: Del Taco

You might have started noticing fast-food restaurants finally getting into the birria game, which is perfect for when you can’t chase down a truck. El Pollo Loco started it all in 2022, and now Del Taco is officially in the Birria Bowl with three new items that they’ve been perfecting for months.

The Shredded Beef Birria Quesadilla with Consomé dip is my favorite, because I love the combo of the cheddar and the beef, toasted to perfection, and for less than $7.

If you’re keeping it light, go with the Two Shredded Beef Birria Tacos with Consomé dip, which is more back to basics and served on corn tortillas with cilantro ($8.69). Lastly, they’ve got Shredded Beef Birria Ramen, for less than $6, but if you love the taste of a good ramen, you might want to skip this watered down version.

Best for Tijuana Style: Birrieria Gonzalez

Remember that South Central Birria I mentioned at the top? These brothers are the original birria boys with 12 trucks roaming the streets and serving some of the best birria in Los Angeles. Come here for Birria de Res en Estilo Tijuana. Crunchy Tacos Dorados are just $3.50 apiece. You’ll find truck and brick and mortar locations and hours on their website.

Best for Guadalajara Style: Birrieria Jalisco

If you’re looking to keep to the most traditional birria, then Birrieria Jalisco is best. This family recipe from Jalisco, Mexico, was brought to Los Angeles when Don Bonifacio Gonzalez opened his first Birrieria in Boyle Heights in 1972. Today you’ll find them in Lynwood and Pico-Rivera. While you can get beef and goat here, I would go with the Chivo (goat) for that authentic taste.

Best for Convenience: Teddy’s Red Tacos

If you want to sit down while eating your tacos, you’ll want to visit Teddy’s Red Tacos. The founder, Teddy Vazquez, made his Teddy’s Red Tacos famous when he was driving for Uber, and riders would smell that fragrant birria broth. What started as a pop-up eventually became a truck, and today, he has 10 locations and counting. If you don’t want to sit and eat, there’s also easy online ordering via the website. The signature here is that bold, red birria color.

Best for Birria Ramen: L.A. Birria

The combination of beef birria and ramen was created by Chef Anaya of L.A. Birria, and in this city, it’s absolutely genius! The chef has also expanded to Chow Mein and birria combinations. While it’s only available for Catering at this time, restaurants like Birrieria Las Gemelas, a food truck in Tujunga, and Fiesta Birria in the Alameda Night Market are doing it well.

And if all else fails, there’s always Del Taco 🙂