5 Ways to Indulge at Tacos Los Cholos
If you think there’s only one way to enjoy a taco, think again—Tacos Los Cholos has turned cooking this Mexican staple into an art form. Here’s what makes this downtown spot special, and what to order once you make it through the front door.
1. Try all the charcoal-fired meats
Each visit to Tacos Los Cholos can be a new experience if you’re willing to switch up your order. The tacos here come piled high with a generous portion of protein cooked over an open flame. The aroma of burning mesquite charcoal fills the dining room here, so mouthwatering you can almost taste the rich smokiness just from taking a deep breath. Choose from regular options like adobobada, asada, chorizo, pollo, or panela. There’s an impressive serve-yourself salsa bar (the habanero and chimichurri are two must-try picks), but use a light hand—the meat is so well-seasoned and succulent, you won’t want to hide any of the flavor.
2. Opt for an upgrade
There’s premium at Tacos Los Cholos—think tender pork belly and smoky, crispy tripa asada cooked over mesquite and olive coals—and then there’s prime. This is a class all of its own with options like filet mignon and ribeye, which can both be ordered with added shrimp. If you’re lucky, the day’s not-so-secret secret menu will feature one of the newest additions, a ribeye en bistec taco. Made with a slice of 1855 Black Angus Prime Ribeye, this helped cement Tacos Los Cholo’s place at the top of the bracket for the annual Taco Madness competition hosted by L.A. Taco in spring 2026.
3. Order it AHM-Style
Like other Tacos Los Cholos options, this menu item starts with a handmade corn tortilla. But next comes a twist: an Anaheim pepper is split open and topped with a healthy layer of cheese. It’s all grilled flat and folded together once it reaches the perfect char—then, that melty, crispy mass is sandwiched between the tortilla and your choice of meat to create a taco bite that just hits different.
4. Skip the tortilla
The keto-friendly Cholo Taco Keto ditches the tortilla for a low carb, high-fat swap. Shredded cheese is sprinkled over a flat-top grill; as it gets melty and the edges begin to turn golden grown, a generous portion of meat—choose from regular, premium, or prime options—is tossed on top (say yes to the guacamole upgrade) before the whole concoction is folded in half. With each bite, you get the satisfying crunch from the crispy exterior along with the soft pull of melted cheese and tender meat. A side of a cheese-stuffed Anaheim pepper is a must.
5. Forgo the taco
It’s a bold choice at a spot known for its tacos, but skipping the main dish can be well worth the risk. The burritos are massive, and the surf and turf mar y tierra combo is overstuffed with ribeye or filet mignon and meaty shrimp. Order the Anaheim burrito to get yours stuffed with a cheesy chargrilled pepper. There’s also the Mexican-style loaded baked potato called the papa loka, which requires a fork to maximum cheese pull. If you just can’t decide, put in a family-style order that includes a Cholo Pizza. Two flour tortillas serve as a base.
