Tacos Los Cholos
The best tacos in Orange County are affordable, protein-packed street tortillas from Anaheim
With three (soon to be four) locations in Orange County, Anaheim-based Tacos Los Cholos has become our current favorite taqueria, thanks to the most reasonably priced, high-quality tacos we’ve found anywhere in Orange County. It also offers mulitas, tortas, burritos, quesadillas, and superb desserts, any and all of which we’d strongly recommend sampling.
Start with the tacos. There are a lot of different protein choices on the menu – 10 different mesquite-grilled meats – which break down as follows in pricing: For $2.79 per taco, you can choose from five “Regular” meats: Asada (grilled flank steak), Adobada (pork shoulder), Chorizo (spicy sausage), Pollo (chicken), or Panela (meat-like cheese).
At $3.79 each, there are six “Premium” options: Tripa (beef intestines), Arrachera (sliced skirt steak), Cecina (pounded pork), Costilla de Res (short rib), pork belly, and Champiñones (grilled mushrooms). Then for $7.50 each, two “Prime” meats: USDA Prime Ribeye and Filet Mignon.
Mesquite-grilled outdoors and unmistakably smoky on arrival, each tastes just as you’d expect, with the pricier cuts improving in tenderness and quality – the prime ones can be ordered to your preferred level of doneness.
The tortillas aren’t huge, but each taco includes two of them, delivered nearly overflowing with the protein of your choice. And proteins arrive ungarnished, leaving you to add your choice of seven salsas – the ones that look creamy actually aren’t, and are the spiciest. Similarly, their stuffed double-tortilla mulitas and large, soft torta sandwiches are substantially loaded with meat and cheese; the tortas also include red onions and beans.
Don’t leave without trying one of their superb desserts, such as the perfectly named hybrid churrocheesecake – truly one of the best cheesecakes we’ve ever had – or the flan, or the Guadalajaran jericalla custard.
We haven’t visited the Huntington Beach or upcoming Santa Ana locations, but have tried and loved both the Anaheim and Fullerton restaurants – they’re equally excellent. As tacos go, these represent incredible value, and the only reason we’d consider visiting another place would be for birria tacos and tortas, which aren’t offered here.
Stats
Price: $
Service: Counter
Open Since: 2019
Addresses
1653 W. Orangethorpe Ave.
Fullerton, CA 92833
714.770.0179
Additional locations in Anaheim, Huntington Beach + Santa Ana
Instagram: @tacosloscholos_