Where to Find the Best Street Tacos in Long Beach

Quick Answer: The best street tacos in Long Beach come from a mix of award-winning trucks and stands. Tacos La Carreta won Best in Show at LA TACO's 2023 TACO MADNESS and was named a top LA taco by Bon Appétit. Tacos Lionydas made the LA Times' 101 Best Tacos list. Guisados was elevated by the late Jonathan Gold and is Michelin-recognized. Sonoratown also holds a Michelin Guide nod for its Downtown Long Beach location.

If you've lived in Long Beach for any length of time, you know the taco scene here isn't just good — it's a genuine point of local pride. As someone who walks these neighborhoods daily (with my rescue dog Cupid trailing a few steps behind), I've had plenty of time to build a mental map of where the real street-taco magic happens.

Where Is the Best Carne Asada in Long Beach?

Tacos La Carreta, on E 69th St in North Long Beach and just a few minutes from Lakewood, has the strongest claim to the title. This cash-only Sinaloa-style truck grills its meat over mesquite coals and serves it on chorreadas — a lard-slicked corn tortilla piled with asada, minced cabbage, and a rich salsa — plus tripa and a barley-based agua de cebada worth trying on its own.

It's earned the hardware to back up the hype: Best in Show at LA TACO's 2023 TACO MADNESS for its signature Torito, plus a nod from Bon Appétit as one of the best taco spots in the LA region — recognition that puts it in the conversation for the best carne asada anywhere in California. It's only open a few evenings a week, so check their Instagram before you head out (instagram.com/tacos_lacarreta), but it's worth the drive.

What's the Most Unique Taco Spot in Long Beach Right Now?

Los Trompos Taquería on West Broadway in Downtown Long Beach is bringing one of Mexico City's biggest taco trends north of the border: the all-beef trompo. Instead of the usual pork al pastor, they shave arrachera and picanha straight off the spit, and they were the first in the region to serve the gaonera — a thinly pounded beef tenderloin taco inspired by Mexico City's Michelin-starred Taquería El Califa de León.

It's new, it's already pulling long lines on weeknights, and it's one of the more genuinely unique taco experiences in Long Beach right now. (instagram.com/lostrompostaqueria)

Which Classic Street-Cart Tacos Do Locals Trust Most?

Tacos El Goloso (tacoselgoloso.com) and Tacos Los Abundis (instagram.com/tacoslosabundis) consistently rank at the top of local taco lists, and for good reason — both lean into the classic street-cart style: hand-pressed tortillas, simple toppings, and meat that's clearly been on the grill all day. Leo's Tacos Truck (leostacostruck.com) is another one locals swear by, known for its trompo-cooked al pastor shaved right off the spit.

For a sit-down version of the street-taco experience, La Taqueria Brand (brandlataqueria.com), with a location inside The Hangar food court, is a reliable go-to, especially if you're craving loaded carne asada nachos alongside your tacos. And if you're in the mood to explore something with a little more flair, El Barrio Cantina (elbarriocantinalbc.com) downtown pairs its tacos with a lively happy hour scene.

Where Can I Find Award-Winning Al Pastor in Long Beach?

Tacos Lionel (also known as Tacos Lionydas) on the corner of Clark Avenue and Atherton Street in Eastside Long Beach has earned a serious following since opening — Mixe-style trompo pastor with a proper char, plus fatty cabeza and mesquite-grilled asada. The accolades back it up: the LA Times named it one of the region's 101 best tacos, one of only two Long Beach spots to make that list. It's a stand, not a sit-down spot, so come hungry and expect to eat on your feet. (instagram.com/tacos_lionydas)

Are There Michelin-Recognized Tacos in Long Beach?

Yes — two, in fact. Guisados, the legendary Boyle Heights import now on Redondo Ave, is a personal favorite of mine — thick, stewy tacos de guisados like cochinita pibil and bistek en salsa roja, all piled onto thick handmade tortillas. It's the kind of place with real pedigree: the late Pulitzer Prize-winning critic Jonathan Gold famously elevated it to must-try status in his original LA Weekly review, and the Michelin Guide has since named it one of the best tacos in LA. (guisados.la)

Sonoratown brought its famous Sonora-style flour tortillas and mesquite-grilled meats to Downtown Long Beach on 3rd Street, and it's since picked up its own Michelin Guide nod. The caramelo and taco de tripa are standouts if you're willing to wait in what's usually a solid line. (sonoratown.com)

Where Do I Find the Best Shrimp Tacos in Long Beach?

Mariscos El Garage on Atlantic Ave specializes in Sinaloa-style seafood — their taco gobernador (a cheesy shrimp taco with a bright salsa roja) has become a local cult favorite, alongside their aguachiles and ceviche. The truck's own following credits it as "Voted Best Food Truck in LBC," and it's built a loyal, growing fanbase since owner Elsa Barragan took over her father's decades-old shrimp cocktail stand and turned it into one of Long Beach's most talked-about seafood spots. (instagram.com/mariscos_el_garage)

By the Numbers

• Tacos La Carreta: Best in Show, LA TACO's 2023 TACO MADNESS
• Tacos Lionydas: named to the LA Times' 101 Best Tacos list, one of only 2 Long Beach spots on it
• Guisados: Michelin Guide-recognized; originally elevated by critic Jonathan Gold
• Sonoratown: Michelin Guide-recognized Long Beach location on 3rd St
• Los Trompos: first taquería in the region to serve the Mexico City-style gaonera taco
• Tacos La Carreta hours: open a few evenings weekly, cash only — confirm via Instagram before visiting

The Bottom Line

Long Beach's taco scene rivals anything in greater LA, with several spots holding real, verifiable recognition — not just Yelp buzz. Whether you're chasing award-winning carne asada, Michelin-noted tortillas, or a completely new style like the beef trompo, you don't have to leave the city to find it.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: What is the best taco truck in Long Beach? Tacos La Carreta is widely considered the standout for carne asada, backed by a Best in Show win at LA TACO's TACO MADNESS and a Bon Appétit mention. It's cash-only and open limited evening hours.

Q: Is there a Michelin-recognized taco spot in Long Beach? Yes. Both Guisados and Sonoratown have Long Beach locations that carry Michelin Guide recognition.

Q: Where can I get al pastor tacos in Long Beach? Tacos Lionydas at Clark Avenue and Atherton Street serves Mixe-style trompo al pastor and made the LA Times' 101 Best Tacos list.

Q: What's a good spot for shrimp or seafood tacos in Long Beach? Mariscos El Garage on Atlantic Ave specializes in Sinaloa-style seafood, especially its taco gobernador.

Q: Is Long Beach a good food scene for people considering a move to the area? Absolutely. A strong local food scene — including a taco culture that pulls in press from LA Times and Michelin — is one of the many reasons people fall in love with Long Beach, alongside its neighborhoods, walkability, and sense of community.

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A local's tip: the best street tacos in this city rarely come from the place with the flashiest signage. Some of the most memorable meals I've had were from carts and small storefronts tucked into neighborhood strip malls — ask around, follow the lines, and don't be afraid to order in Spanish-standard style: "dos de asada, cilantro y cebolla."

If you're thinking about relocating to Long Beach, or you're already local and looking for your next home near your favorite taco spots, I'd love to help you find it.

 

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Gaurav Datta, Realtor® | Y Realty, Inc. | DRE# 02223914 Phone: (562) 243-9922 Email: gdatta@gmail.com Website: socalhomeguru.com

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