Taquería Frontera

The bright yellow and black corner building on Cypress Avenue makes its point clearly with a slogan painted right on the wall: “MORE TACOS LESS BORDERS.” This is Taquería Frontera, a permanent, Tijuana-style taco stand designed to feel like an open-air street vendor. A breezy, open-window format lets you see straight into the bare-bones kitchen, where the taqueros work right in front of you and a mural of the singer Selena looks on from an exterior wall. The whole operation is an extension of a family-owned taquería in Tijuana, and the staff was brought north to keep things completely authentic. Everything is built around meats marinated for 24 hours, pressed handmade corn tortillas, and house-made salsas paired specifically with each cut. Inside, the smell from the grill fills the air, and the al pastor trompo is always turning right by the counter. That al pastor, marinated in over 20 spices, is shaved directly from the vertical spit and served with a slice of pineapple and a tangy cilantro crema. The carne asada gets a citrusy marinade with pineapple and orange juice and comes with a red chile serrano salsa. You’ll also find harder-to-get options like birria de lengua, alongside burritos, tortas, and quesadillas. A sidewalk bar offers a few stools, but seating is limited, and it’s common to see people eating while standing. Given its location, the stand is a popular stop for anyone heading to a Dodger game. Ordering is simple – just ask for your tacos “con todo” to get them fully dressed.