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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.
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
5 stars because the taste of the food is just explosive ! Although I think it would look more professional if they cleaned the shelves by the ingridients area and on top of their fridge . There seems to be a mess of all this random stuff that makes the prep area look dirty . Like toys,pens,books, random stuff .Love the aesthetic but cleanliness will always catch the eye first. Young chef and staff nice overall. Wish they had natural agua Frescas as well ...
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.
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.
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.
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.
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!
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
The TomYum aguas chiles was so delicious , I couldn't wait to dig in when it arrived. The tacos were truly lackluster but man that shrimp was delicious including the chacal. Service was exceptional and the server was really sweet. The music was dope really it was our kind of place. Will need to return for the seafood
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!
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!
27 days ago
The food!!!!! The food was so so so delicious! The atmosphere was amazing, I loved the vibe, loved the service. Will be back, any time I am in the area! They could use some AC, but not worth taking a star off! read more
1 month ago
Evil Cooks is a must try if you're a foodie lover or you're just craving a fat juicy asada burrito. The decor is dope. Very Metal/Horror/Punk. Service is cool people, but can be slow. Not a bad thing when you realize the attention to detail and made to order food. And you can see that if you sit up front. But I still recommend sitting in the back and enjoying it there. The crispier stuff is best fresh. Burritos hold well though if you take it to go. The black asada (Prince of Darkness) and the Chile verde chorizo were bomb. Also, if you're vegan or meat eater the 3 from heaven tacos are good for everyone. I grew up in this neighborhood. I hope they're around for a long time. The only thing that hits harder is the price. But damn, everything is expensive in LA. So you can pay $12-15 for a basic burrito someplace else or a few bucks more that has flavor and evenly distributed ingredients in every bite and you won't regret it. Treat yoself. read more
2 months ago
I first saw Evil Cooks on IG years ago and saved it because I had always wanted to try it. Somehow, every time I passed by, I had already eaten or completely forgot about it, because apparently remembering tacos at the correct time is now a major life skill. This time, my friends and I were craving something good, and I finally remembered the place. The black al pastor looked incredible online, and it was even better in person. I ordered that along with the lobster taco, while my friend tried the vegetarian option. That black al pastor taco was unlike anything I've had before. I'm very picky when it comes to tacos, but their al pastor is up there with some of my favorites, including Tacos Los Cholos, Tacos El Franc, and Tacos El Gordo. If you're looking for something different and want to try tacos with bold, creative flavors, definitely check out Evil Cooks. read more
5 days ago
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
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
3 months ago
5 stars because the taste of the food is just explosive ! Although I think it would look more professional if they cleaned the shelves by the ingridients area and on top of their fridge . There seems to be a mess of all this random stuff that makes the prep area look dirty . Like toys,pens,books, random stuff .Love the aesthetic but cleanliness will always catch the eye first. Young chef and staff nice overall. Wish they had natural agua Frescas as well ... read more
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
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
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
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
5 months ago
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
7 months ago
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
2 months ago
The TomYum aguas chiles was so delicious , I couldn't wait to dig in when it arrived. The tacos were truly lackluster but man that shrimp was delicious including the chacal. Service was exceptional and the server was really sweet. The music was dope really it was our kind of place. Will need to return for the seafood read more
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
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
4 months ago
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
2 months ago
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
7 months ago
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
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
9 months ago
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
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
4 months ago
Fantastic Metal joint! They play and love the same Slayer, Metallica, Misfits, Megadeth, Anthrax, Led Zeppelin, Iron Maiden and Danzig songs I listened and became ingrained with in the womb. The Tacos are great too! read more
4 months ago
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
4 months ago
1 year ago
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
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
10 months ago
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
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
2 years ago
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
1 year ago
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
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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3333 N Eastern Ave
Los Angeles, CA 90032
El Sereno
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(323) 332-2336
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http://evilcooks.com
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Ask the Community - Evil Cooks
Is it dog friendly? I see they have an outdoor area?
I wouldn't think so. The outdoor area is small, in the back.. so you have to walk through the restaurant to get to it
Hello, I don't t want to sound like a little punk but do you have anything to offer a vegetarian?
They have a whole vegetarian/vegan menu
How much is a Poseidon Taco? Can't seem to find it anywhere....
The sign at Evil Tacos' stand at Smorgasburg says the Black Asada & Pastor Tacos are $3.00 each. If that is true, then my Poseidon Taco was between $11-$12.…
Hi, what kinda taco shell do u use for the dessert version, thanks?
I believe its a soft thin pancake like tortilla. Very delicious!!!! Give it a try, you will not be sorry!!!
Does anyone know how to get a hold of them aside from physically visiting the food truck?
Have you tried Instagram?
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