El Ruso

 If you’re looking for pura calidad, you’re in the right place. In fact, El Ruso operates under that slogan—and man, does it deliver, with some of the heftiest, most flavorful Sonora-style tacos in L.A. Founded in 2016 by Tijuana native Walter Soto and business partner Julia Silva, who named the business after Soto’s childhood nickname, El Ruso is one of Central L.A.’s most popular taco joints thanks to the duo’s perfectly tender mesquite-grilled meats and just-bubbled flour tortillas. Now, you can find Sonora-style meats on handmade flour tortillas every day of the week, plus a rotating weekend menu that might include birria, fish tacos or aguja (bone-in short rib). Just note the tacos are on the more expensive side ($5.25 each), though they’re much larger than the average street taco and I think the quality is commensurate with the price.