2025 Surf City USA® Foodie Awards Best Taco Winner: Tacos Los Cholos
The best tacos can pop up in the most unexpected places. Let your sense of smell guide you to downtown Huntington Beach, where the aroma of mesquite charcoal-grilled street meats mingles with salty sea breezes. Take a stroll around the corner from Main Street and you’ll find Tacos Los Cholos, winner of the 2025 Surf City USA® Foodie Awards. Its location just a stone’s throw from the beach combined with an expansive menu that includes three tiers of protein options makes for an unbeatable combination.
From Pop-Up to Most Popular Taqueria
Named to the list of 101 Best Tacos in Los Angeles by the LA Times, this five-star taqueria got its start in Orange County by two friends who share a love of cooking. It began as a pop-up with a simple plancha and a grill, growing from their front yard to a thriving business that has four restaurants across Southern California (with more on the way!).
The Huntington Beach location boasts a surprisingly spacious interior with ample seating and plenty of outdoor tables. Inside, vibrant, colorful murals adorn the walls. For a photo op with some local flair, head to the back of the restaurant to snap a pic in front of a wall featuring the iconic pier at sunset.
Order at the counter or one of the self-order kiosks, then grab a seat while you watch talented cooks fire up your meat on the open mesquite grill. Once your food is ready, there’s a serve-yourself salsa bar where you can load up on flavor. Opt for chimichurri sauce or aguacate (avocado sauce) if you want to keep it cool, or kick up the heat with the five-alarm habanero sauce.
Let's Talk About Tacos
There’s magic in the meat at Tacos Los Cholos. Choose from three options (regular, premium, or prime) to indulge in a mouthful of smoky mesquite flavor piled high on two handmade corn tortillas.
For a splurge, get the filet mignon tacos made with 1855 Black Angus prime (starting at $8.29 each). Sprinkle a little chopped onions and cilantro on top of the tender meat for the perfect bite. Another standout prime option is the mar y tierra “surf and turf” taco plate, featuring black tiger prawns and angus ribeye tenderized by a zesty lime marinade.
In the premium category, you’ll find some of Tacos Los Cholos’ most interesting cuts starting at $3.99 per taco. The tripa features a tender and chewy beef intestine that’s fried to add just the right amount of charred crisp. Costilla de res (pork ribs) tacos have more charred and crackly pieces that are chopped fine with an almost caramelized finish. Vegetarians can also get their fix with the champiñones tacos featuring mesquite-grilled mushrooms topped with pickled onions.
Entry-level options (starting at $2.99) are just as unforgettable, despite the more affordable price tag. You can’t go wrong with the carne asada, a favorite for its juicy meat and smoky seasonings. There’s also a “not-so-secret secret menu” with offerings like wagyu and shrimp asado tacos (if you don’t see the sign at the counter, just ask).
For a crunchy, smoky addition, order the AHM taco. Between your corn tortilla and a generous serving of meat, you’ll get an Anaheim pepper stuffed with cheese and fried over the grill until it’s soft yet charred.
Other Menu Highlights
Want all the flavor of fire-grilled meats sans shell? Try the papa loka, a stuffed baked potato that’s smashed open, grilled with butter, cheese, and sour cream and then topped with your choice of protein. There’s also a cholo pizza featuring layers of fried flour tortillas with queso, chimichurri sauce, sour cream and meat and finished with a sprinkle of chopped onions and cilantro and a dollop of guac.
For dessert, the churro cheesecake is a must-order. A cake layer is topped with creamy cheesecake and a crispy, cinnamon-heavy churro crust. Wash it down with a Paloma from the secret menu or a non-alcoholic agua fresca, and cheers to your new favorite taco spot.
Free parking with validation is available at the structure across the street from Tacos Los Cholos. There are also several TVs if you’re in the mood to catch a game. Best of all: It’s open until midnight on weekdays and 2 a.m. Friday and Saturday to satisfy those late-night taco cravings.
