North Hollywood taqueria named nation's best by Yelp reviewers

It’s no surprise that a SoCal taqueria would be chosen as the nation’s best, and Yelp reviewers just confirmed that California can’t be topped when it comes to tacos.   

Birrieria Familia Castro took first place among the best of the food-filled tortillas known to us all as tacos, just in time to celebrate National Taco Day, which falls on Oct. 7, a taco Tuesday.

Yelp released the list of the best tacos in the U.S., and California received 45 of the top 100 ranked taquerias.

Surprisingly, a New York spot took second place. But Texas and Arizona were the second and third states to have the most taquerias, with Texas achieving nine spots and Arizona securing eight. 

"Our birria is a family tradition passed down from my grandmother, who learned it from her mother," says Anthony Castro, who owns the restaurant at 6102 Vineland Ave. with his mom and dad, Gema and José Castro.

Another L.A. taqueria, Michelin-starred James Beard Award semifinalist and multi-year Yelp winner Holbox (pronounced hol-bosh) came in fifth place. The stand, which specializes in fresh Mexican coastal seafood, is located in South Los Angeles' Mercado La Paloma food hall at 3655 S. Grand Ave. and is named for an island close to chef-owner Gilberto Cetina's naive Yucatan Peninsula.

Closing out the top 10 is proprietor Ruben Diaz's private front yard operation, Mariscos El Chito, at 4970 Axtell St. in the El Sereno section of L.A. Diaz watched his parents at the stove as a kid and has been operating an outdoor kitchen at his family's house since 2018.

Other honored tacos listed from California include Terrific Tacos, from San Diego, Conchita’s Tacos from Los Angeles, Tacos Guelaguetza from Los Angeles, Borreguitas Bar Express from Pomona, Chicana Vegana from Fullerton, Mariscos Jalisco from L.A., Str8 Up Tacos from Lakewood, Taco Nazo from Bellflower and PlanTita’s Kitchen from Long Beach. 

How many have you tried? 

Additional reporting by City News Service.