LA's elevated street tacos now with brick-and-mortar. Chef Wes Avila creates seasonal tacos with fine-dining technique.
Guerrilla Tacos was founded by Wes Avila, a chef who trained at fine-dining restaurants including the French Laundry and Fat Duck before deciding to explore his Mexican culinary heritage through the medium of the taco. What began as a food truck and farmers' market presence in Los Angeles evolved into a permanent brick-and-mortar restaurant at 2000 East 7th Street in the Arts District of Los Angeles, California. Avila's approach — applying the sourcing standards and technique of fine dining to the structural form of a street taco — produced a restaurant recognized by the Michelin Guide with a Bib Gourmand and consistently cited among the best Mexican restaurants in Los Angeles. The menu changes frequently and is built around what is exceptional at market: a sweet potato taco with almond salsa and cotija is a recurring touchstone; a uni (sea urchin) taco with chipotle and potato demonstrates the kitchen's ambition to push the form. Seasonally, the menu may incorporate rock crab, stone fruit, or rare mushrooms as taco fillings, each treated with the same care that a traditional fine-dining kitchen would apply to composed plates. The permanent menu items anchor the more adventurous seasonal offerings. The dining room at the brick-and-mortar location is casual and approachable — no tablecloths, no formal service, counter ordering — but the quality of what arrives on the plate belongs to a register significantly above its price point. The tortillas are made in-house and are treated as a serious element of the preparation.
Signature dishes
- Sweet Potato Taco — $6
- Uni Taco — $12
Good to know
- Hours
- Lunch & Dinner Wed-Sun
- Reservations
- Walk-in
Location
2000 E 7th St, Los Angeles, CA 90021
34.0365, -118.2334 View on map
Highlights
- Fine-dining technique applied to taco format: Wes Avila trained at The French Laundry before building his taco concept
- Michelin Bib Gourmand recognition — one of Los Angeles's highest-honored casual Mexican restaurants
- Sweet potato taco with almond salsa: the dish most associated with Guerrilla Tacos' identity
- Seasonal menu featuring market-driven fillings like sea urchin, stone crab, and wild mushrooms in taco form
- House-made tortillas treated as a serious culinary element, not just a delivery mechanism
Tips for visiting
- Check the current menu online before visiting — the seasonal specials are often the most compelling items and change frequently
- Order both the sweet potato taco and one of the premium seasonal fillings to see the full range of the kitchen's approach
- The restaurant does not take reservations at the counter; walk-in seating is the norm and waits are usually short outside peak hours
- Vegetarian options are consistently present given the market-driven vegetable focus of much of the menu
- The Arts District location has limited street parking; ride-share or Metrolink to Union Station plus a short ride is a practical alternative
Accessibility
Guerrilla Tacos' Arts District location is at street level with accessible entry. The counter-service format and dining room are on a single level. Standard wheelchair accessibility applies. Guests with specific requirements should confirm with the restaurant directly.
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Frequently asked questions
What makes Guerrilla Tacos different from other LA taco restaurants?
Guerrilla Tacos applies fine-dining sourcing standards and technique — trained at The French Laundry, Fat Duck — to the taco format. Market-driven seasonal fillings, house-made tortillas, and a Michelin Bib Gourmand recognition distinguish it from both traditional taquerias and casual Mexican chains.
Do reservations need to be made at Guerrilla Tacos?
The brick-and-mortar location does not typically take reservations for counter-service seating. Walk-ins are the standard. Wait times are generally short outside of peak lunch and dinner periods.
What is the price range at Guerrilla Tacos?
Individual tacos range from approximately $5–$12 depending on the filling. Premium seasonal items like uni or stone crab may cost more. A full meal of three to four tacos with a drink typically runs $20–$35 per person.
What is the sweet potato taco at Guerrilla Tacos?
The sweet potato taco — roasted sweet potato with almond salsa, fresh cheese, and sometimes additional elements — is the dish most associated with Avila's kitchen and the one most often cited as the entry point for first-time visitors. It demonstrates the kitchen's vegetable-first thinking.
Is Guerrilla Tacos the same as the original Guerrilla Tacos truck?
Wes Avila began Guerrilla Tacos as a truck and farmers' market operation before opening the permanent restaurant at 2000 East 7th Street in the Arts District. The brick-and-mortar replaced the mobile format as the primary operation.