Tacos La Rueda

Can I be honest? I’ve never understood the hype around Sonoratown—whose flour tortillas often turn gluey and somewhat hard by the time I receive my tacos. Now that I’ve visited Tacos La Rueda, however, I completely understand the fervor over smoky meats, flour tortillas and sinus-clearing red salsas. This Bellflower strip mall joint offers the best Sonoran-style taco experience in L.A., with buttery, pliant flour tortillas that travel well, but taste even better eaten right on the spot. The carne asada, al pastor and crispy, crackly beef tripas are all winners here, as is the tender beef cabeza (available as a daily special), whether adorning a simple taco ($3.50 to $4) or piled into a decadent caramelo ($8.75),which adds pinto beans, Monterey Jack cheese, guacamole and grilled Anaheim chiles into the mix. Be sure to make ample use of the bountiful salsa bar, which is a far cry from the setups you’ll find at most street stands and taco trucks.