Villa's Tacos: Is it Michelin Worthy?
I first heard of Villa’s Tacos during my freshman year of college in a seminar class on food culture. My professor played a video featuring Villa’s Tacos and how they came to be one of the most, if not most, popular taco spots in LA.
The chef, Victor Villa, first began his business in his grandmother’s home, selling his famous tacos on the front lawn, with people lining up waiting to try the tacos. Since then, his tacos have been showcased on the Michelin guide and have won numerous awards, sparking my curiosity to try them myself.
Fast forward a year, and I have finally decided to try Villa’s Tacos. My friends and I went to the Highland Park location and when we arrived, I was immediately drawn in by the vibrant atmosphere. Music played in the background as groups of people chatted and enjoyed their meals, and it felt like I was a part of a family. That is the kind of ambience that defines Villa’s Tacos.
I ordered the Villa’s Trio, which includes three queso tacos featuring their Ranchera Asada, Papas con Chorizo, and Black Bean con Pollo. At $14.50, it’s on the pricier side for three tacos, however, each one is jam-packed with ingredients and flavor making it a fulfilling meal. The tacos are made with their handmade blue corn masa tortilla, topped with onion, cilantro, guacamole, cotija cheese, crema and a melted skirt of Monterey Jack cheese. The chorizo and chicken taco come with exclusive toppings, as the chorizo is paired with potatoes while the chicken is served with black beans.
Once you walk in the restaurant, there is a sauce bar to the right where you can personalize your tacos. There are six homemade salsas to pick from: Chula’s Roasted Blend, Avocado Salsa, Classic Verde and Roja, Jiquilpan, and Mango Habanero (spicy yet so flavorful). They also have hibiscus pickled onions which I highly recommend, adding a subtle sweetness and crunch to the taco.
So, how did it taste? The asada taco was personally my favorite — the juiciest out of the three and the most flavorful. The chicken, while tasty, was a bit on the dry side, making it my least favorite and the chorizo, although flavorful, was slightly mediocre and did not blow my mind.
I believe the highlight of the tacos were undoubtedly the blue corn masa tortillas. Their unique flavor and soft, yet chewy texture made each bite enjoyable, and the unique color made for an Instagram-worthy photo. I also enjoyed the crispiness of the Monterey Jack cheese, which added a nice texture to the overall experience.
Overall, Villa’s Tacos offers a unique twist on tacos and they are better than your average taco. However, I didn’t quite get the Michelin experience I was hoping for or expecting. While the ingredients were fresh and handmade, I felt that the meat could have been juicer, and the tacos, though good, did not really wow me.
However, beyond just their food, I believe that Villa’s Tacos fosters a community where people can share their love for food and tacos, and I really loved the ambience and environment of the place. They even offer vegan options such as their Vegan Trio ($11.50), proving their commitment to inclusivity and how they want everyone to enjoy their tacos.
Parking is not an issue at all as there is a large parking lot surrounding the restaurant. We arrived around 6 PM and there was not much of a line, but be prepared to wait in a line if you arrive at busier hours. Additionally, there is limited seating outside of the restaurant, with just a few picnic tables up front, so expect to eat standing or find a spot elsewhere.
My Ratings:
→ Ranchero Asada: 8.5/10 😋
→ Papas con Chorizo: 8.1/10 😁
→ Black Bean con Pollo: 7.9/10 🙂
→ Ambience & Service: 10/10 🤗
→ Price: $$
Thank you so much for reading my blog! I hope you found my review on Villa’s Tacos helpful and I encourage you to go try it out for yourself. They truly do serve excellent tacos. Stay tuned for my upcoming food reviews! 👀