As Long Beach’s taco scene explodes with a plethora of stands and brick-and-mortar locations, Downtown Long Beach has become one of its most central hubs. A neighborhood where old-school institutions, sidewalk stands, and nationally acclaimed taquerías now coexist within a few walkable blocks.

Sure, longtime staples like Cinco de Mayo continue to anchor the district’s Mexican-American food identity. And an ever-growing collection of trucks and street vendors keeps the tradition of late-night tacos alive. But what makes Downtown’s taco scene particularly exciting today is how it has evolved beyond tradition, embracing both regional traditions and variety in a way that feels entirely the opposite of where it was a decade ago.

Sonoratown

244 E. 3rd St.

The best tacos in Long Beach—with, perhaps, Tacos La Carreta being the only space remotely vying for its spot—are at Sonoratown. The Sonoratown menu is famously restrained. Minimal. Focused. And unwavering in its commitment to doing a handful of things exceptionally well. In fact, the only major addition in its history has been cabeza, introduced when the team opened its Mid-City location. As for quality, few taquerias can rival it. Sonoratown is an Angeleno institution through and through, and in a remarkably short time, it has made itself at home in Long Beach. So when you see the inevitable line, save the eye-rolls until after you’ve had a bite.

And for anyone skeptical of tripas, Sonoratown is precisely where to start. The beef intestines arrive impossibly crisp on the outside while maintaining a velvety, almost buttery center packed with deep umami flavor. They’re paired with the restaurant’s punchy red salsa, creamy avocado sauce, cabbage, and tucked into what may very well be the finest flour tortilla north of the border. Truly, Sonoratown’s tortillas are the gold standard.

If you’re looking to indulge further, order the tripa caramelo. A massive flour tortilla envelops melted cheese, roasted poblano, and an assortment of toppings, creating something that borders on excessive in the best possible way. It’s glorious.

Leo’s Mexican Grill

225 E. Broadway | 755 Magnolia Ave.

When Leo’s took over the former Las Delicias De Michoacan space on Magnolia Avenue back in 2018, it became clear the restaurant was quietly building a mini-taco empire.

The expansion allowed Leo’s to further embrace its identity: rooted in traditional Mexican “comida fonda” while comfortably reflecting the bicultural reality of SoCal’s Mexican-American food. With its OG location on Broadway, it came to epitomize that very ideal.

Here, you can score genuinely cheap tacos every Tuesday and Friday. As in $1.75 a piece. Yes, there are classic street style, which Leo’s calls “Mexican style:” corn tortilla with your choice of meat and topped simply with diced onion and fresh cilantro. Or you can do the same with a fluffy, starchy flour tortilla, lettuce and cheese for a much-more American interpretation of the taco.

My suggestion? Always their tacos dorados—or crispy tacos. Shredded beef, chicken, potato, or ground beef tucked inside a deep-fried shell and finished with lettuce, cheese, and salsa. They are gloriously crunchy and, with all you can want at their salsa bar, perfectly blend the line between Mexican and American culinary spirit.

Los Trompos

421 W. Broadway

In a region where al pastor has long reigned supreme, Los Trompos has carved out a singular identity in Downtown Long Beach by bringing one of Mexico City’s hottest taco trends north of the border: the all-beef trompo.

The taquería centers its menu on towering spits of beef rather than pork, showcasing cuts like arrachera (skirt steak) and picanha, each shaved to order and tucked into tortillas that let the meat take center stage. The concept has quickly garnered attention from taco aficionados across SoCal, in part because beef trompos remain a rarity even in Mexico, making Los Trompos one of the most distinctive taquerias to emerge in Long Beach’s rapidly evolving taco scene.

What has truly set Los Trompos apart, however, is its introduction of the gaonera taco to our region itself. Inspired by the signature taco of Mexico City’s Michelin-starred Taquería El Califa de León, the gaonera features thinly sliced, pounded beef tenderloin seared with lard on a scorching plancha before being served with remarkable simplicity. At El Califa de León, the taco helped earn the tiny taquería international acclaim and a Michelin star, with inspectors praising the purity of its preparation and the quality of its beef.

By bringing that tradition to Long Beach, Los Trompos offers diners a direct connection to one of Mexico City’s most celebrated taco experiences, further cementing the city’s growing reputation as a destination for ambitious, regionally focused Mexican cuisine.

They are new, however, so give them time.

600 Tacos

951 Pine Ave.

For years, 600 Tacos built a devoted following from its fleet of Long Beach food trucks, serving straightforward, satisfying street tacos, loaded asada fries, and Mexican comfort food that earned the family-run operation a loyal customer base across the city.

What began with trucks near the Traffic Circle and in North Long Beach has now evolved into the brand’s biggest step yet: a permanent home in Downtown Long Beach.

In late 2025, 600 Tacos officially opened its first brick-and-mortar restaurant at 940 Pine Ave., taking over the former Baja Cali space between 9th and 10th streets and bringing one of Long Beach’s most beloved mobile taco operations into the heart of Downtown.

The new location allows 600 Tacos to expand beyond its food-truck roots while maintaining the same focus that made it popular in the first place: generously portioned tacos, carne asada fries, burritos, and a lineup of house-made salsas that have become a signature of the brand. The transition from truck to storefront reflects the continued growth of Long Beach’s independent food scene, with 600 Tacos joining a new generation of taquerias helping redefine Downtown as a destination for serious taco lovers.

El Viejón

201 E. Broadway

El Viejón, which took over the former Congregation Ale House space in early 2025, has slowly been connecting more and more with the surrounding community. Staff has noted that they’ve expanded their happy hour and will be, in the near future, unveiling more land proteins to sit next to their array of mariscos, Mexican sushi, and seafood tacos.

Speaking of seafood tacos, that is where El Viejón excels. (And on Taco Tuesday, they are half off—an incredible value given their heft.)

Though never quite hitting the height of the much-missed Cheko’s marlin taco, El Viejón’s version is one of the few you can find in the region. Their gobernador—where shrimp is melded with beans and cheese—and Baja-style are hefty lifts.

And their tacos dorados? Chunks of shrimp in macerated potato and avocado. And you can get three of them for $8 during happy hour.

Buen Provecho

301 The Promenade N.

Broken Spirits Distillery and steps from Sonoratown. Created by Broken Spirits owner Isaias Hernandez and his mother, the restaurant embraces the blended cultural identity familiar to many Southern Californians.

It’s the space where Mexican and broader Latino influences intersect with American upbringing and food culture. The concept centers on hospitality, family gatherings, and the flavors that have long defined Latino households across the region, offering an approachable menu that celebrates both tradition and evolution.

Since opening, Buen Provecho is consistently packed, pairing house-made tortillas for guisado-style tacos with mariscos, birria, and other comfort-driven dishes. The restaurant has also gained attention for its expansive brunch service and lively patio atmosphere, helping transform one of Downtown’s most prominent restaurant spaces into a destination once again.

With an emphasis on community, celebration, and elevated yet unfussy cooking, Buen Provecho reflects the modern Latino experience in SoCal while adding another vibrant space to order margarita pitchers on one of the city’s best patios.