Note- We booked on OpenTable in Jan for a trip in March and when we got there they said they no longer do OpenTable so if you've got a rezzy on there check in because this place is bout to blow up!! The IG algorithm knew I was heading to LA after I bought some Kings tickets from an ad in my stories and I was getting hit with "best tacos in LA" videos for a minute. When I narrowed my search to the areas around Staples Center I was amazed to see the food being put out by this place and booked a recommended reservation. This place lived up to the hype! I'm all for fusion and the tom yum aguachiles had to be one of the best things I've had in a while. It was so flavorful and spicy I could have eaten two of those and been done with it. But of course we had to try the Poseidon taco as well. We got it as a 3 taco combo with one steak and one lobster with this black asada seasoning with the right amount of smoke. Every bite was delicious. The service was quick and friendly and very accommodating. You can see them cooking all the food as you walk in. The dining area is a small back patio decked out super goth. Overall a great experience and we will be back! read more

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First off service was amazing, the waitress was very friendly, welcoming & helpful. The menu was awesome, good variation of infused items. Had an order of 3 from Hell tacos, great combo of meats to try. Although beautifully plated just was not for me was the bean w/cheese dumplings, I'm just not a fan of black beans, I don't believe it was noted in the menu but glad I tried it. Unfortunately, they are not actually "dog friendly" even though on yelp it says dogs allowed, they have patio but it's only costumers w/o dogs. If you plan on brining your furry friend be prepared to be seated at a designated table that's out on the sidewalk - perfectly understandable just downer for someone like myself who always has their dog w/them. I was looking forward to seeing the inside but was unable to have that experience. Will have to try again w/o my little buddy. Other than that I would actually rate Evil Cooks a 4.5 read more

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Los Angeles is a city drowning in tacos. Good ones, bad ones, Instagram-famous ones with lines full of people who care more about lighting than flavor. And then there's Evil Cooks. This place doesn't care about any of that. You walk up and it feels like you've stumbled onto something a little dangerous--in the best possible way. The kind of spot where the grill is screaming, the air smells like smoke and chilies, and the cooks move with the quiet confidence of people who know exactly what they're doing. The tacos? Brutal. In a good way. Thick, handmade tortillas holding meats that taste like they were introduced to fire in a very personal manner. Juices running down your wrist, fat and spice hitting you all at once. No tweezers. No foam. Just flavor that punches you square in the mouth. You don't come here for polite dining. You come here because you're hungry, a little reckless, and smart enough to know that the best food in LA usually lives in places exactly like this. Eat standing up. Get messy. Order more than you planned. Evil Cooks isn't trying to impress you. And that's exactly why it does. Those chili cheese dumplings though read more

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Awesome everything if I want to keep it short! But do yourself a favor and try these one of a kind tacos next time you are in the city of El Sereno! By far my favorite was the Mc Satan cheeseburger taco and the Poseidon octopus taco! Great food, great service, ambiance, amazing one of a kind local LA iconic food establishment! read more

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I found this unique tacos place in the oldest neighborhood of LA, el Sereno, when my friend said he wanted to try some authentic Mexican food. I knew we were at the right place when we noticed that almost all the restaurants in this neighborhood are Mexican food. So if you are looking for good Mexican food, I would recommend you to check this neighborhood out, el Sereno. The owners are clearly fans of death metal music, which shows in every aspect of the restaurant, from the colors, deco, the bathroom, the tables and chairs, the menu (cudos to the creative design), the utensils, and even the meats of the tacos are marinated in cacao sauce, which makes them appear black, I applaud the level of commitment and creativity. It's a very slow pace restaurant, despite the fact there were only two tables of guests when we got there, it still took 15min before we were seated and ordered our food. It's a small business with very limited staff. The restaurant is ranked top 100 restaurants in LA and a semi finalist of 2025 James Beard Award, so it goes without saying that the food is worth the slightly long wait. The Spanish octopus on the tacos was cooked to perfection, very tender and not rubbery at all. The flavor is very rich and diverse, and the presentation is absolutely beautiful. I love that the wraps are pan fried to be somewhat crispy, always love a crispy shell. 8.5/10 read more

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Service was pretty abysmal. We waited for a long time after being seated, and still no one checked up on us. We had to get up and ask them to take our order. After ordering just 3 tacos, we again were left waiting. It was 40 minutes just to get 3 tacos. We saw the staff just talking and chilling in the front. We had to flag them down for every interaction, including getting the check. They took an incredibly long time even just to bring a water we ordered. They also said that they don't have tap water... Not sure if that's legal?? As for the food... Rock Lobster (9/10): this was actually delicious. The lobster tasted incredible! Poseidon (6/10): this one I felt was overhyped. Nothing noteworthy about it, but not bad either. The octopus was just... Fine Although the rock lobster was delicious, not sure I want to return to this kind of service. read more

Evil Cooks - Poseidon - Mexican Near Me - Los Angeles, California

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Higher end take on tacos, burritos and more but for casual dining and prices!! $5 tacos, $15 burrito, etc. Local gem and favorite of local friend's family. Small outdoor semi-enclosed gated seating, you'll need to walk through the restaurant to reach it or there is 1 table outside on the street curb. No heat lamps so dress appropriately in the winter. No restroom. Soda or mineral water sold there. If you want to go bougie for some fancy tacos, then $7-$8 speciality tacos are delicious!!! I didn't know they had regular tacos and ended up just ordering $8 The Posiden (octopus) and $7 The Simmons (lengua uncut). Sauce and mix are delicious! Proteins of lengua and octopus are cooked well and have that QQ to it....not easy to do! Their guca does hav dairy. For those with dairy allergies to sensitivities, guca can be taken out. - My high end $7-$8 per taco was definitely really tasty, but I'm cheap and probably will go with a burrito or try their $5 tacos next time. I'm usually happy with just typical or simple purist standards or cleaner foods. The SO said his torta was 5stars! The torta was overly bready like many places. Love that the Anthony Bourdain shrine in the back seating area! Will be back! And hope to visit next time during the day so I can pass by Son of A Vet Thrift Shop too. read more

These types of places are my fave and the ones you should seek out. Maybe you stumble upon them by chance or you find out about them thru a friend or article, but these types of 'hole in the wall' or 'mom & pop' type places is where you'll usually find some culinary craziness and zippy flavors! It's a small place and easy to miss unless you're looking for it, but they've definitely found a unique niche with their personally stylistic ambiance, creative menu and somewhat clashing of flavors. It won't be everyone's cup 'o tea, but it'll strike more culinary chords with people than those those who will find it lacking. There are definitely things I would like to return to try and other things. I'm not sure I would order some items, although the LA Times article makes a very good pitch to step out of your comfort zone when picking stuff from this menu. Evil Cooks is definitely not in my neighborhood or along a usual travel path, so I had to venture out and that's just part of the fun and excitement and it was definitely worth my time. read more

A hidden gem for sure! My friend has been raving about this spot for a while and I finally got the chance to try it and it definitely lived up to its name. I got 3 items: The Poseidon, Rock Lobster and their special was a fish of some sort that was still so tasty but I unfortunately had forgotten the name for :( All dishes were so delicious and they have specials that are different every weekend. The octopus in the Poseidon was so juicy and tender which surprised me as normally squid and octopus are always overcooked and become chewy, but definitely not this one. The Rock Lobster was so flavorful and you could taste how well they marinated the lobster meat. This place is so underrated and I highly recommend trying if you are in the area. read more

Evil Cooks - Mexican Near Me - Los Angeles, California

I wanted to like this spot more, but found most of the tacos just okay. We tried 6 different ones in total. My favorite was the lobster taco. This one was 9/10. I loved that you can really taste the lobster, and the flavor and crunch were great. The octopus taco was 7.5/10. Great amount of octopus and it was cooked decently well. I just didn't love the blackening on it. Same with all the meat tacos we tried, including the popular al pastor. Something about the blackened flavor wasn't for me. I came on a weekday evening and it was pretty empty. Staff was friendly and service was decently quick. read more

Literally everything I tried here was amazing. The Rock Lobster was so delicious I almost cried. The mulita was scrumptious. And the cheesecake tacos were probably one of the best things I've ever tasted. I'm not even much of a dessert person. Loved the spooky and rock n' roll themed decor everywhere. Very goth. Such a fun theme. Service was excellent. My only qualm is the location. Some shifty characters hanging around outside at night. Still, the food will definitely have me coming back whether here or at Smorgasbord. read more

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We left San Diego at 6:30am to catch the trolley, Amtrak, then Uber. I told hubby we could drive or ride our motorcycles up here- but, we had nothing BUT time. We arrived around 11:30am ish and noticed a line outside. Even though we were a bit concerned, (hoping we made our timed train departure)- staff was very apologetic for the opening delay. Doors did open a bit before noon- WHEW!! *Sometimes we need to keep in mind we're supporting a local business. Our travels and patience paid off! It was a warm afternoon and you'll walk thru the quaint kitchen area to a back patio. Not much of a breeze, even though we sat at the end of the patio area. Although a sign is taped onto the restroom door- OUT OF ORDER, I did ask the employee and she said it is available (thank goodness!) LOL Although I didn't order from the Heaven Menu (vegetarian/ vegan options)- I was curious what the "Catfish" was! Love the names of tacos and here's what I got: Mc Satan: $7 Mexican beef patty; American Cheese (there were 2 cheeses btw!) sliced cheese and i think mozzarella underneath the patty; crispy bacon; guacamole. Perfect flavored patty. Not too thick and not too thin. Pliable to fold the patty, taco style. The Poseidon: $8 Black octopus; salsa tatemada (charred/ blistered); grilled pineapple (not soggy); pickled onions; cilantro; guac The Simmons: $7 I mean- GENIUS to name it The Simmons when it's slow cooked lengua (tongue); salsa cruda; cilantro; onion. THIS is my favorite lengua taco!! Typically you'll have lengua cooked/ stewed in its juices and chopped. I explained to the employee how Canelo Alvarez has his taco shop in Chula Vista and the lengua is served in the same sliced style. At El Pastor Del Rica, the lengua is just sad and bland looking. Even though a salsa Lazy Susan is placed at each table- it's meh. Here, at Evil Cooks, it tastes like it's slightly marinated and deep fried because my first bite into the lengua had a good crunch! Mmm! El Goth: $6 The black tortilla, black al pastor, cilantro, pickled onions, and guac. The looks and taste go hand in hand, suited for the name. The plate it comes on is pretty cool too! Dessert of choice, La Bruja Flan Taco: $6 What a cool concept! Citrus flan served on hybrid taco. Tasted like a very thin pancake/ thicker than a crepe. Coconut flakes, crushed Polvoron (shortbread )cookies, grated orange peels. I could eat a dozen of these!! I was sent into a food coma on our way back to Union Station and the train ride back to San Diego. read more

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This is a hidden gem tucked away on a busy avenue. Easy to miss if you're not looking and just zooming by! I searched Yelp for tacos for about 10 minutes before stumbling on this spot and I'm so glad I did. Stopped by on a Saturday with my kiddo. Service was fantastic, I was greeted right away, and our server Maria was super friendly and helpful, patiently answering questions. The vibe is cute with a gothic/punk edge, and there's nice outdoor patio seating in the back. Menu isn't huge, but everything is executed with real care and precision. Maria suggested I could mix and match tacos since I sort of made a face with the available combinations.. oops.. I got the Poseidon (my favorite, flavors were chef's kiss. Even my son loved the grilled octopus bite he tried! Asada (solid and flavorful), and Rock Lobster (crunchy, well-seasoned, and surprisingly delicious). His cheeseburger burrito had that perfect burger-burrito mashup taste too. Everything was fresh, bold, and delicious. Definitely coming back. Highly recommend this spot for creative, high-quality tacos! read more

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There it literally no better place to go after watching the second season of Wednesday. The decor here is AWESOME. It's a small space where they do great things, including some of the BEST tacos in LA. The menu is an eyesore, written in a font I can barely bear to look at, so I just ordered one of each of the six tacos on top. The Simmons: presentation on point, a gorgeous slab of tongue. The McSatan is just a burger, but the best burger I've ever had. Juiciest patty on a thick tortilla that's better than any bun. The Rock Lobster is impossible to eat, but the crunch, the lobster tunnel, the sour-salsa are amazing together. The Poseidon has an octopus pastor that's pure magic. The tenderest tentacles, and bits of sweet pineapple take it to another level. El Goth is black tortilla, black pastor that pops. Super crispy crust on the pork, a seasoning mix that sings. El Asesino: The two best meats they make, octopus and pork. Two perfect meats make a too perfect mix. Amazing, AMAZING place. I love how they double down on the theme, and their black pastor is next-level! read more

I LOVED the variety of the menu, and there are so many creative menu options- plus their classic menu options such as the Smashburger taco and black octopus taco. Make sure to check out their specials, as they were really unique. It appears to be street parking only. read more

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Awesome rockero vibe ! Food is good ,owners are friendly and professional . The decor ,ni se diga ! Queremos rock and roll !

These tacos were outstanding! In fact top, now among the three spots in LA for our family! We will definitely return.

Came here to try the famous black octopus Al pastor and it did not disappoint. It was nice and crispy and not chewy at all! The asada was good too! My friend ordered the trio and the chorizo Verde was decent. The staff was very nice and friendly. The theme and atmosphere is cool. Metalheads would enjoy this place while eating a taco or burrito. Their back patio area is neat and has lots of metal themed things and a cool area to sit at and eat. read more

Evil Cooks - Poseidon. Black octopus Al pastor & black asada - Mexican Near Me - Los Angeles, California

So disappointed bc i love evil cooks :( I've been a customer for years devotedly visiting their smorgasburg tent and el sereno farmers market locations so i was thrilled to know they finally opened up a brick n mortar (since November '24!) and could pay em a visit anytime. We all know the dollar doesn't go as far as it used to so when i go out to eat, it's an occasion. Not opting for takeout, i was hoping it would be a memorable one. I took some obligatory photos of the decor but once the food arrived things were no longer cute. Hearing the specials (and seeing the positive review), i decided to treat myself to the $18 tom yum aguachile. I also ordered my staple, the $8 Poseidon (black octopus taco) which did not disappoint--hits the spot every time. But the tom yum.. ugh, the chips were Tough to chew through, and the prawns or shrimp were huge but the gray kind and almost totally raw which.. yuck. They were also fibrous and I couldn't even get through one. The flavor itself was pretty on point with an extra kick but the dish just wasn't right. I appreciate that they're trying to explore and maybe cater to some of their Asian clientele, but that in conjunction with the huge enormous flies that kept swarming my food as I tried to eat, with one even landing directly where I was eating, was totally unsettling. I wanted to get up to grab the waitress (behind the gated door that leads to the back tables) but was also afraid that the moment I left the flies would descend. Anxiety growing, luckily another party came out to the back so I was able to grab the waitress. Not the way i want to experience a meal or a restaurant. Mood was completely ruined. $30 for a meal where i left grossed out and hungry is just not it. To top it off, they charge a $0.50 unspoken fee for credit card usage. Went home to heat up some leftovers and try to restore my appetite. Owners, if you're reading this, I know you put that huge fan to try and distract the flies or at least keep them at bay but it's not enough. I'd recommend just getting a zapper and be done with it. Yelpers and yelpettes, if you go, stick to their basic menu, all of which looks awesome, and maybe just eat in the kitchen. read more

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this place was so good!! 10/10. the service was super friendly from the owners, i loved the vibe and aesthetic of the restaurant as well. i ordered the octopus taco, black pastor, and the flan taco, and tried the hamachi special. every dish was AMAZING, definitely mind blown by the octopus taco and black pastor, the charred flavor was so perfectly smoky and the meat was so tender - added crispiness while staying soft and juicy. the flan taco was delicious as well ... i love how creative every dish was that i tried and i wish i lived closer to la so i could eat this more often and try more of the menu. read more

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The place is a bold, edgy haven for foodies with a rocking a dark, heavy metal vibe, which makes since the place was founded by a family of metalheads. They also do food festivals but it was nice to have a brick and mortar option. I ordered the 3 From Hell tacos. The meat was perfectly crispy and juicy with a nice black metal presentation with char and coloring. 3 tacos for $14 is a bit pricey but worth a fun experience. Despite that, the service was on point. The staff was super friendly and made us feel right at home. Plus, if you're into quirky photo ops, the patio has some seriously cool features with lots of heavy metal memorabilia. If you're looking for a unique spot to indulge your metal side, this is definitely worth a visit. read more

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I really wanted to like this place but it fell short for me. The chef and staff are dope af too which hurts me writing this. I see the passion for the culture and cooking but I feel like they're trying to fix something that not broken (Mexican Food). It's such a hard cuisine to elevate so much hats off for the creativity and passion. But the black al pastor just fell on the flavor for me. It's not something memorable unfortunately. And maybe I just had expected too much from all the reviews on social media. read more

Evil Cooks - Black Pastor - Mexican Near Me - Los Angeles, California

Food is very delicious, all those flavor combinations. It's so hard to describe You gotta come try for yourself. Service was great food was prepared in front of me. Placing my order was easy. The Ambiance was so chill, seeing posters and all the bands on the wall & then walking towards the back seating area and seeing a big skull come check them out if you're in the area read more

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Came for lunch before an afternoon in DTLA. Was ready for some excellent tacos as I've been on the hunt lately, but was underwhelmed, sadly. However, there were highlights! We got the 3 from hell + the Poseidon, rock lobster and Simmons. I typically love al pastor and chorizo is a go to for my breakfast burritos. Al pastor needed the little pineapple and chorizo was salty. The black asada was most balanced in the 3 from hell and I always think it's easy to mess up asada. The rock lobster was crunchy and well fried, it doesn't blow you away with lobster flavor but it's good texture and it's usually not that flavorful anyways. Was excited for the Poseidon (octopus) as we love it but the taco as a whole was too salty for our taste probably due to the salsa. The octopus on its own was cooked very well and tasty. I would have preferred it taco less. Highlight was the Simmons (Lengua). Wow, some people might be grossed out by the tongue shape but excellent texture, seasoned well and perfect tomatillo salsa. Everyone was super nice, we sat in the back patio where the heavy metal theme went on. I'd say try the dinner because it seems promising! read more

Evil Cooks - Poseidon, Simmons, Rock Lobster - Mexican Near Me - Los Angeles, California

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I've been wanting to go to this place for a while now...whether it was at Smorgasburg or at their neighborhood pop-up, I just seemed to always miss them for whatever reason. I finally got to go but at their brand new brick and mortar location! (as of late 2024) The vibe of the place and menu comes off as equal parts counterculture and creativity. I loved seeing the old shirts they had and the overall heavy metal themes. The ordering is counter service where you come in and order at the counter and find a seat at one of the tables/stools or go to the back area where there is more seating. I got the McSatan Taco, Rock Lobster fried taco, and El Goth taco. The El goth was more like your traditional al pastor and was delicious. Actually all the tacos were pretty great with delicious flavors and textures, as well as beautiful presentation. Even though I enjoyed everything, I probably would get something else besides the McSatan on my next trip. It's good, but it's essentially like eating a low carb burger and I'm here for tacos, haha. Great place with great food and people. I was able to find street parking very easily close by on a Saturday night. read more

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tl;dr the octopus al pastor highlights an otherwise surprisingly tame menu of good-not-great tacos Evil Cooks is a contemporary taquería specializing in gourmet tacos al pastor. The pop-up, established by Alex Garcia and Elvia Huerta in 2016, quickly garnered a loyal following and is regularly recognized among the best tacos in Los Angeles. While Evil Cooks remains a grab-and-go weekend taco stand, they also offer a reservation-only "Kamikaze" taco. tasting menu each week. The entire venture is playfully goth, and the Smorgasburg stand is no exception. A 7-foot tall Grim Reaper, holding a pulpo trompo on his sword, guards the all-black E-Z UP. Plywood walls are personalized with skull motifs and Evil Cooks' mascot (a cartoon Garcia with devilish horns and a goatee). Large poster boards display the individual ingredients of each taco variety, and heavy metal blasts from the grills. They even boast two menus: the "Hell Menu" is highlighted by the Black Pastor slathered in homemade recado negro, while the "Heaven Menu" features vegan trompo made from Napa cabbage, mushrooms, eggplant, and onion. For dessert, the flan and churro dessert tacos are equally popular. In brief, Smorgasburg is a Sunday-only, open-air food market at Alameda Produce Market in Downtown LA. Parking in the ROW's dedicated parking garage is quick and easy, with 2 hours complimentary. Bathrooms are located out of the market, a short walk down the graffiti art side street. Lukewarm San Pellegrinos are distributed at the entrance, just beside the questionably clean water bottle filling station. Smorgasburg is pay-as-you-go, and the tenured vendors serve upscale street food with a Pan-Asian or Pan-Latin American bent. My partner and I arrived at the weekly Smorgasburg festivities just after opening, and we were rewarded with cool weather and short lines. We made a beeline to Evil Cooks, and we placed our order in no more than 5 minutes. Both of our savory tacos were loaded with meat, pickled onions, and creamy avocado sauce beyond the capabilities of the small, homemade tortilla. The Poseidon Taco sported perfectly cooked grilled octopus, tangy pineapple, and rich, zesty recado negro. Meanwhile, the El Goth Taco was served on an eye-catching black masa tortilla with mostly standard pork al pastor. Lastly, the Churro Cheesecake Taco was served on a crepe-like 'tortilla' with a syrupy strawberry sauce and fresh mint; while fine, this hybrid dessert was admittedly no better than a fresh churro. Prices weren't displayed on the menu, so I was surprised to be billed $18 for 3 small tacos. Of our 3 varieties, only the unique octopus al pastor would be on my list for a future Smorgasburg palate-whetter -- yet, even then, I wouldn't dare wait in Evil Cooks' regularly hour-long queue. read more

Evil Cooks - The Posiedon (left) and El Goth Taco (right) - Mexican Near Me - Los Angeles, California

So unique and creative! If you have had every kind of taco and want to try something creative, take a drive toward LA. There's a small taco shop recently opened by Chef Alex and Elvia Garcia. They have a strong customer following from their catering and popup business. I read about them in LA Times top 101 tacos in LA. My curiosity was peaked, and bookmarked this location. They've also been recognized by LA Eatery and Life & Thyme Magazine. I chose 3 tacos from their Hell Menu (Black Asada, Carnitas and Green Chorizo). I watched them hand make the tortillas from the masa, press, to the grill. This, in itself, raises the rating to 5 stars. I will have to work my way down the menu to try a Monsterous Burrito or Killer Torta. I want to support this business, it's not easy to start up a restaurant. They have invested their time and finances with plans on expanding the menu. The future looks bright. Bookmark this taco shop and don't forget to tell'em that Rosemary sent ya!!! read more

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Ordered goth tacos. Food was good, service was good but make sure you prepare to park a few distance. There is a parking next to the location but the liquor store owns the lot and you risk getting towed. read more

Evil Cooks - Goth tacos - Mexican Near Me - Los Angeles, California

This is a tiny jewel of a restaurant. Street parking please. We went on a weekday at noon and sat in the Instagram worthy mini patio in the back of the restaurant or there is counter seating so you can see your food being prepared. The tortillas for the tacos are made fresh for every order. We had the McSatan and two Prince of Darkness burritos in honor of Ozzy. Everything was delicious and fresh. The homey feeling of the band pictures and other artwork gives the space a rock and roll ambiance. Please keep in mind, this is a small space and all the food is made to order so patience is metal. read more

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A delicious experience on a crimson and bold take on tacos and burritos with a deep influence of rock music. The Black Pastor was unique in flavor: meaty, flavorful pork with a black colored marinade of flavors. The Chorizo Verde was aromatic, very far fetched from a traditional chorizo or Longaniza. Kudos to the chef. The food was highly satisfying! read more

Evil Cooks - Chorizo Verde ( Taco) The Prince of Darkness (Burrito) - Mexican Near Me - Los Angeles, California

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Ordered to go and the food was ready within 15 minutes. The store is unassuming and I almost walked past it, but What I ordered -- all tacos with the homemade tortillas: 1. The Poseidon (Pulpo): Octopus was cooked well and I thoroughly enjoyed the flavor profile of the taco. I didn't taste the pineapple, but I did taste mozzarella so I wonder if it's because pineapple isn't really in season this time of year? It could also be that my taste buds are off. 2. El Goth (al pastor): SO MUCH MEAT. I felt like my tacos was overflowing with al pastor in the most delicious way possible. There is a little heat with this (I am also really bad with anything spicy) but I thoroughly enjoyed how tender the al pastor was. 10/10 would get again 3. Rock Lobster (lobster): DELICIOUS. The lobster was well seasoned and the taco itself comes rolled up more like a taquito so it holds all of the lobster meat inside. Lobster is a pretty subtle flavor, but you could taste the care in seasoning the lobster prior to serving. I felt like you definitely get a good amount of meat with the taco itself too. All tacos came well dressed with onions, guac, and salsa (which I asked to be removed sadly due to my spice tolerance) and everything was quite delicious. These tacos are definitely a culinary fusion. What struck me was how well balanced everything was. I didn't feel like any of the tacos overpowered each other but each one stood out on it's own. I will definitely be coming back to try the tomahawk steak!! Parking is all street which can be hit or miss but be patient! read more

A friend first told me about Evil Cooks back when they had a spot at Smorgasburg in DTLA. So, when we heard they opened a shop nearby, we decided to check it out. The space is small and modest, with just a few counter seats inside. We were seated in the back, which wasn't ideal on this chilly evening since there were no heaters. We started with the Tom Yum Aguachile, which was incredible in every sense--seriously spicy but so delicious that we couldn't stop eating it. Next, we tried the Poseidon taco, their signature dish loaded with perfectly cooked octopus, and the Simmons taco, featuring a generous portion of tender lengua. Both were fantastic. We also ordered the Rock Lobster taco, which was decent but didn't leave much of an impression. For our main dish, we went with the Baklava Wellington: a pork rib wrapped in phyllo and topped with fine cotton candy. It was a strange combination, but somehow it all worked. Major kudos to the chef's creativity. This isn't your typical taco spot--it's more like a Top Chef-style culinary adventure. We'll definitely be back when the weather warms up! read more

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Everything on the Menu is delicious. Best Mikita that I have ever had. Handmade corn tortillas. Friendly service and freshly prepared food. A must try. read more

We went to Kamakazi VDay Dinner event and I didn't enjoy the food all that much, flavors were kinda exotic for me and didn't seem worth $110 per person. We love their regular menus but the special one for this event wasn't our cup of tea. I know the chef is trying to get recognized which is great but I wish they told us the price ahead of time and also wished they served alcohol. It was 4 small meals with 3 small flavored aguas. Stick to regular menus in my opinion but otherwise love this small business and theme! read more

This is a local place that gets a lot of hype. When they posted a lobster taquito on their Insta, it looked so delish that I had to try it despite the fact that it's a hit or miss whether the lobster will make me sick. I couldn't just walk away with one taquito so the owner recommended the McSatan. I'm not gonna lie, the McSatan did not sound appealing but since the masses loved it, I went with it. The irony is that the lobster taquito, while it did not make me sick, was lacking in luster - it simply did not meet the flavor explosion the images had conjured up in my mind. Now the McSatan - WOW! I could not have been more impressed by something that simply did not sound palatable. A hamburger taco? What? But yes, I now understand why this item is so popular. Definitely recommend this - put aside your presumptions and try this with an open mind. You will not be disappointed. Evil Cooks just announced they will be opening up a brick and mortar on Eastern so I look forward to trying more options. They can also be found at Smorasburg on Sundays but I'm not sure if that will still be the case once they open shop. This once pop up establishment has made a name for itself and is here to stay. Go check them out with an open mind and give your mouth a treat with some non-traditional options. read more

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Inventive, metal inspired food, expertly executed. Like spicy food? Like Lemmy? Make this a stop in your culinary voyage and enjoy the yummy deliciousness. rock on dudes! read more

Dinner last night was a mixed bag. Some bangers, a couple misses. For such a limited menu, the misses were surprising. We had: tom yum aguachile 10/10. So damn delicious. It has an intensity and depth of complex flavor I don't remember ever experiencing before. Really intense and spicy. A spoon would have been nice to have to slurp up some juice tho Lengua spring roll. 4/10 Didn't know quite what to expect. Was it a fried roll .. was the tongue braised til soft and crisped up. Or thinly sliced like pork in a Vietnamese spring roll. Answer is none of the above. The peanut sauce and salsa verde served alongside were great. The rolls them selves were of the cold Vietnamese variety. They were large, albeit haphazardly rolled. The herbs and greens were really refreshing. The lengua, though , was pretty unappetizing. Thick, cold chunks of tough unseasoned boiled tongue. Discarded the tongue and ate the veggies Barbacoa taco: 10/10. So damn delicious. Highlight of the meal for sure. Seared on the plancha in some of the grease from the meat. Rib (forgot what they called it) 2/10. For a dish that is in every photo for the place online. It does not deliver . It's a rib wrapped in filo, baked.. topped with cotton candy, dried rose and pistachios. Served over a mushroom risotto. This ate DRY. A pretty dry, unseasoned rib, wrapped in dry phyllo, topped with dry cotton candy, topped with dried petals and dry nuts. We ate one rib (it was served with two or three.. didn't dig that deep into it to count. And pushed the dish aside. The rice was fine. .. but didn't really go. A miss Also. Was expecting a pork floss type topping.. but nope. It's a sweet, somehow dense cotton candy. Also had the octopus plate 7/10. Octopus served over Israeli couscous. The octopus was cooked well, and the cous cous was good as well. Felt a bit one note and could use something to brighten it up. A salsa verde or other acidic herbal note would has kept it more interesting. Left most of it Lastly. The mystery dessert. 10/10. Loved it and glad the meal ended on a high note. Tonight's mystery dessert was a strawberry respado with a cherry cheesecake empanada. The empanada was served slightly warm, and the dough was great. I wouldn't have hated a spoon of whipped cream and for the fresh cherry garnishes to be pitted.. but still was a great dessert. Most patrons seemed to mostly be ordering tacos, and if I come back. Thinks that the route I would go. The entrees were lack luster compared to the taco we had. read more

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I don't even know how to start this.. this was my 1st time..I went close to closing.. wanted to try the 1 $ tacos... which turns out we're vegetarian.. well get back to that tho lol..I got the 3 from hell so I can try a lil of everything.. they did not disappoint.. from the presentation and time on all the details. Especially the tortillas hecha a mano.. and the ambiance..I felt like I was in my family's kitchen.. thank you for a great 1st experience of many..ill be back to try that poseidon taco 4 sure! P.s. the vegetarian taco turned out to be bomb af..I was pleasantly surprised! read more

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This is an edgy foodie destination with a dark heavy metal theme. We sat in the back patio area and ordered a Prince of Darkness burrito. The asada meat was perfectly crispy and it was delicious, you can taste the quality of the ingredients. The only drawback was that the burrito was on the small side for the price. The service was great and the employees are very friendly. There are many photo opportunities including two standing coffins in the patio. read more

Evil Cooks - Dinner before Mayhem APR2025 - Mexican Near Me - Los Angeles, California

Been wanting to come here for a while (first knew of this delicious food when they cooked it out of their home). Very excited looking at the menu and seeing unique entrees! Tonight was Taco Night and we loved each taco - Black Al Pastor Black Octopus Cheeseburger Lobster Taquito Catfish and for dessert... Churro Cheesecake Definitely coming back to try their entrees! #evilcooks #evilcookstacos #evilcooksla read more

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