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Top 15 Spots to Grab Birria Tacos in California



Birria is a juicy, spiced meat stew from the state of Jalisco, Mexico. Traditionally made with goat or lamb, beef is often the meat of choice for this taco. In recent years, birria tacos have crossed thousands of Instagram feeds via the LA food truck scene. It’s difficult to scroll past their photogenic red hue, and even more difficult to just order one or two.

That red hue is derived from a rich braising broth that is not only responsible for your taco’s tender meat and flavorful tortillas, but is also served with a side of hot consomé. This consomé elevates the tacos into the perfect soul-warming meal. We highly recommend a squeeze of lime and hefty dunk before every bite. If you want to take your taste buds to yet another level, try them quesabirria style: a queso-enhanced birria taco often credited to Tijuana, where a crispy layer of cheese encases the corn tortilla with an extra gooey crunch.

We have compiled this list of 15 taquerias and trucks across California, in hopes you might reference it on your next road trip. Every taquero adds a unique ratio of chilies and spices to their birria – which will make every stop special and independently delicious. Don’t forget – tacos aren’t just for Tuesdays. 

See the full list and follow the Collection here! 


Methodology: This is an all-time list of the birria taco spots in the California according to Yelp. We identified businesses in the restaurants and food categories with a large concentration of reviews mentioning “birria,” and “birria tacos,” then ranked those spots using a number of factors including the total volume and ratings of reviews mentioning “birria” and “birria tacos.” The list looked at businesses throughout California. When available, all businesses on this list have a passing health score or a score greater than a C/70 as of September 4, 2020.


1. Fernandez Restaurant (San Diego, CA)

Chupacabra birria taco by Jay K. (on Yelp)

2. Tacos El Goloso (Los Angeles, CA)

Birria tacos by Dee G. (on Yelp)

3. Tacos y Birria La Unica (Los Angeles)

Birria de Chivo & Birria de Res Tacos by Rayshawn W. (on Yelp)

4. L.A Autentica Birrieria (North Hollywood, CA)

Vampiro birria tacos by L.A Autentica Birreria (on Yelp)

5. Navarros Taqueria (Santa Ana, CA)

Tacos de birria by Jay K. (on Yelp)

6. La Súper Birria (Santa Ana, CA)

Birria cake & consume by La Super Birria (on Yelp)

7. La Santa Torta (Oakland, CA)

Red Tacos by Anita W. (on Yelp)

8. Tacos El Patron (Pleasant Hill, CA)

Tacos de birria by Anita W. (on Yelp)

9. Delicioso Eats To-go (Rancho Cucamonga, CA)

Quesa Tacos de birria by Aliyah R. (on Yelp)

10. Don Chuy’s Birria (Sacramento, CA)

 

Birria Tacos Dorados with consome by Nicole N. (on Yelp)

11. Birrieria El Tijuanazo (Colton, CA)

Tacos de Birria by Jeremy M. (on Yelp)

12. Fatima’s Grill (Downey, CA)

Queso-birria tacos by Juan C. (on Yelp)

13. Senor Birria (Downey, CA)

Tacos de birria by Julie V. (on Yelp)

14. Teddy’s Red Tacos (Venice, CA)

Tacos de birria by Lesly N. (on Yelp)

15. Michi Tacos y Pupusas (Lake Elsinore, CA)

Queso Birria Tacos by Michi Tacos y Pupusas (on Yelp)
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