Taqueria Vista Hermosa

Mexican restaurant · South Los Angeles

Taqueria Vista Hermosa

Mexican restaurant · South Los Angeles
3655 S Grand Ave C-5, Los Angeles, CA 90007

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Taqueria Vista Hermosa by null
Taqueria Vista Hermosa by null
Taqueria Vista Hermosa by null
Taqueria Vista Hermosa by null
Taqueria Vista Hermosa by null
Taqueria Vista Hermosa by null
Taqueria Vista Hermosa by null
Taqueria Vista Hermosa by null
Taqueria Vista Hermosa by null
Taqueria Vista Hermosa by null
Taqueria Vista Hermosa by null
Taqueria Vista Hermosa by null
Taqueria Vista Hermosa by null
Taqueria Vista Hermosa by null
Taqueria Vista Hermosa by null
Taqueria Vista Hermosa by null
Taqueria Vista Hermosa by null
Taqueria Vista Hermosa by null
Taqueria Vista Hermosa by null
Taqueria Vista Hermosa by null
Taqueria Vista Hermosa by null
Taqueria Vista Hermosa by null
Taqueria Vista Hermosa by null
Taqueria Vista Hermosa by null
Taqueria Vista Hermosa by null
Taqueria Vista Hermosa by null
Taqueria Vista Hermosa by null
Taqueria Vista Hermosa by null
Taqueria Vista Hermosa by null
Taqueria Vista Hermosa by null
Taqueria Vista Hermosa by null
Taqueria Vista Hermosa by null
Taqueria Vista Hermosa by null
Taqueria Vista Hermosa by null
Taqueria Vista Hermosa by null
Taqueria Vista Hermosa by null
Taqueria Vista Hermosa by null
Taqueria Vista Hermosa by null
Taqueria Vista Hermosa by null
Taqueria Vista Hermosa by null
Taqueria Vista Hermosa by null
Taqueria Vista Hermosa by null
Taqueria Vista Hermosa by null
Taqueria Vista Hermosa by null

Highlights

Brightly decorated locale whipping up traditional Mexican bites such as tacos, fajitas & tortas.  

Featured in Grub Street
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3655 S Grand Ave C-5, Los Angeles, CA 90007 Get directions

taqueriavistahermosa.com
@taqueria_vista_hermosa

$ · Menu

Information

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3655 S Grand Ave C-5, Los Angeles, CA 90007 Get directions

+1 213 741 1251
taqueriavistahermosa.com
@taqueria_vista_hermosa

$ · Menu

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dine in
takeout
delivery
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Last updated

Mar 5, 2025

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Brock Taylor

Google
Cute market atmosphere. Great pastor tacos.. others were decent. Hand made thick tortillas make this close to the best cheap tacos I've ever had in LA. Will be back!

SB cl907

Google
Ordered two asada burritos and six al pastor tacos and a large coke for $48. Better off buying street tacos for better bang for your buck. The Burrito was actually decent and the meat was evenly distributed. The Tacos had to be the most bland tacos I've ever had. Just tasting mostly the corn tortilla. The salsa's also weren't all that great. Best part was the cold Coke and the fast service.

Yashiro Nene

Google
Excellent food! I'm from a small town that has a lot of taco stands and trucks and by FAR the flavor of these foods are magical! A true taste of traditional! A must go!

Claudia S.

Google
Most delicious Al Pastor you can get anywhere. Simply a perfect blend of flavors. Highly recommend. If they have capirotada dessert available, GET IT!!!

Monica Chen

Google
Lots of breakfast options including chilaquiles, breakfast burritos, and huevos rancheros which is what I ordered. The salsa ranchero was so flavorful and the tortilla was crispy and sauce-laden in all the right ways. Really affordable!

Laura Galvan

Google
Wow, everything from here was just perfection! The carnitas tacos, the salsas that came with, the beans, the rice. Those handmade tortillas are insanely delicious. Yum!! I absolutely can't wait to come back. Such a cool food hall.

Thao Ha

Google
Got a burrito with rajas con crema. It was huge. Such a good deal for like $9. It was creamy and delicious. The green sauce was good. I wish their additional sauces had a bit more salt to it. Overall very good and a great deal for a giant burrito.

Allimarie Wallace

Google
Really, really delicious! I have eaten here several times over the years and I've NEVER been disappointed. Go get you some! The taquitos are my fave. You'll find that the food and menu are simple but tasty.

Mark M.

Yelp
Taqueria Vista Hermosa is one of several food outlets located in the Mercado la Paloma complex in South Los Angeles. The menu has a wide selection of popular Mexican fast-food choices. Most items are visually appealing, showing some care and 'presentation' from the kitchen staff. A few items positively caught my attention. The Fish Empapelado was a combination plate with fish in a vegetable sauce, covered with a banana leaf, along with roasted vegetables, fresh vegetables, guacamole, rice, beans, and fresh corn tortillas. An excellent combination of a lot of items, all very good. The Pambaso, was a Mexican style sandwich with chorizo, potatoes, lettuce, sour cream, and queso fresco. A nice looking and nice tasting sandwich. Also, the Nachos (with chicken), were a pleasant surprise, with lots of toppings including jalapenos and guacamole. Many years ago (10 years ago?) I was here, and I have little recollection except that I was disappointed and told myself that I didn't need to come back here. Enough years have gone by, and perhaps changes in ownership and chefs, but I recently tried them again and was pleasantly surprised with a very different experience. Now, I think this is a great place for a Mexican fast food meal. The people working here have always been polite. There's lots of parking at the Mercado la Paloma, directly in front of the front, on the street, and on weekends, an overflow lot to the side of the building.

Fred T.

Yelp
Taqueria Vista serves up legit Mexican food at an affordable price. The venue is part of the historic La Paloma Mercado. Parking was easy but the place can get packed. No need to panic as after hours you can use the adjacent DMW lot. I was looking for something basic and opted for the enchilada plate - 3 enchiladas, rice and beans. The only downfall was there was no traditional chips/salsa offered as appetizers. Other than that, it was a good experience and the meal was very good.

Melinda B.

Yelp
I tasted a taco de pastor. It was very delicious! Handmade, thick corn tortilla was soft and flavorful. Homemade salsa was habanero (I think). Spocy by itself but on the taco it was fine (for me.) I used the whole tub on one taco!

Kimberly G.

Yelp
Came here for lunch on a Sunday with one other person. Service was painfully slow - I ordered three tacos (shrimp, al pastor, asada) and it took 30+ minutes to come out (even though the cashier said 20 minutes, which is still kind of insane for tacos). Tacos themselves were standard fare, and unfortunately not worth the wait.

Jeanne W.

Yelp
Tacos al pastor in the Mercado La Paloma food court are still great tasting. I just order by the number according to appetite. Ambiance is a food court but service was good and food comes to the table quickly. Definitely request their red chile salsa to accompany the tacos.

Angie K.

Yelp
If you're looking for delicious fish tacos, this place is definitely worth a try. The fish was fresh and cooked perfectly - not too greasy or overcooked. The toppings were also really tasty, with a good mix of fresh veggies and flavorful sauces that added a nice kick to the tacos. The location is location in a food court type setting, so there's plenty of seating. There's also a variety of different food vendors so that if you are looking for something different there are tons of options. Overall, I would recommend this place if you're in the mood for some tasty fish tacos. You won't be disappointed.

Debzies K.

Yelp
Overall good food but DONT PAY EXTRA FOR HOT SAUCE. When ordering via Door Dash, they charge you $0.75 for half an ounce. I ordered two... and they were barely half full. Such a joke. A bit too dry to eat alone so it was a bummer since the hot sauce lasted for 3 bites.

Liz B.

Yelp
The burrito was very large which I appreciated and everything was decently priced. Unfortunately the meat was very tough and hard to eat that I could not finish it.

Evelyn C.

Yelp
Breakfast Quesadilla--Al Pastor meat (has pineapples so will be sweet) eggs and cheese served with a dab of guac, dab of sour cream. Side of homemade pineapple juice. This eatery is located inside of a food court setting.

Lisa I.

Yelp
I really enjoy the salad with carne asada steak - mixed greens topped with chicken or steak, cheese, tomatoes, corn, avocado, and onion (I request no onion). It's served with a creamy Chipotle dressing and their red (mild) and green (hot) hot sauces. It's delicious and super filling. Quick service in a comfortable food court setting.

Tony H.

Yelp
I went back today after almost five years of not eating here and they still have the BEST al-pastor in the city. I've been to most of the popular spots around town right now and none of them compare to this place. Literally the best al-pastor in town!

Kay A.

Yelp
We ordered the 3 taco combo with a drink, beans and rice. Sometimes it's better to go for a simpler restaurant with just the classics. It made it so much easier to order! All the food was good and the horchata. We ordered from several places and this restaurant came out with the food the quickest. I feel you can't go wrong with this place for Mexican food.

Jana H.

Yelp
Super tasty! Great find in the local food hall. Enjoyed a fish taco, al pastor taco, and chorizo breakfast burrito. Breakfast served all day! Added nopales and onions/tomatoes to the burrito and it was great. Al pastor taco was the best of the two and fish was good, but nothing amazing. Would want to try more options next time!

Betancourt E.

Yelp
Inside this food court mall they have going here is this place, it's your typical Mexican taqueria restaurant type of deal, the food was good, the price was fair, the service was prompt and they were very nice. The selection is decent, plates , tacos , and such. I enjoyed it and will be back when I'm around here .

Roxanne C.

Yelp
Not good, meat is flavorless and taco shell bowls (w/ rice & beans) were stale, inedible. Husband grumpy and hungry, we should have gone to a different taco stand or my local King Taco instead.

Anna C.

Yelp
I got the two ceviche tostadas special for $7.99, and man oh man you get what you pay for. The fish used in the ceviche tostada was less than fresh and there was very little variety in seafood used on the item. I found the shrimp to be somewhat undercooked and tasted a bit stinky. It seemed like this deal was meant to clean out the fish that wasn't so fresh. The fish taco - which was deep fried was the only redemption for this place. My friend got the carne asada wet burrito which ended up being pretty good -so i guess the moral of this story is to stay away from the ceviche tostada.

Stephen D.

Yelp
I came here to have breakfast (10am) one day and I chose them because of the vibrant colors that cloth the face of the business. I was not disappointed, the flavors that greeted my taste buds and aromas that wafted to my olfactories were calming and relieving from being so happy to have had my expectations met for food, which are quite high. The Al Pastor is out of this world, paired with any of thier signature sauces, a green spicy and a roja ranchero (not spicy)., I mean Anthony said "you want this," I say "you don't want this, you need this experience!" The Asada and carnitas are cooked to perfection, you can actually feel the flavored juices oozing whuch tops it off... the meat is not dried out. All food is prepared fresh (a la carte), I spoke to the owner/chef Raul myself. It's a family run business and they are all genuinely nice, so taking care of guests is second nature with their welcoming and friendly attitudes. Parking is available on-site of the mercado, this place is located by the 110 freeway between the St or-Quest and Public storages, also down the street is a DMV. Inhjghly recommend!

Kaitlyn G.

Yelp
Very solid Mexican staples! Menu has good variety, pricing, and portions. Chicken Flautas were a favorite, along with each of the Elote flavors. The Al Pastor is chopped and heavily seasoned (vs sliced), making it better for a burrito. This is a great please-everyone, quick service option in a busy food court that's home to many spectacular restaurants. Will definitely be ordering to-go and delivery from here again!

Eduardo Z.

Yelp
First time in Taqueria Vista Hermosa and YOU have to go! It's the best spot in the Mercado with amazing food. The food is to die for. IT WAS FIRE ! The service I received was so amazing I will definitely be back again. They made us feel welcomed an gave us an amazing experience.

Michelle Z.

Yelp
I came with my friend to get some food at around 3:30 today. There wasn't many people around. I ordered the pastor burrito after reading reviews about how good it was. The price seemed to have gone up, as someone's review from 3 months ago mentioned it was 5.99 but it's now 6.99. The burrito was pretty good overall, but like other people, I thought the meat was a bit dry. It still tasted pretty good though, and I think it is substantial enough for a whole meal.

Tricie C.

Yelp
Was hankering for some tacos and was nearby. Ordered a carne asada, fried shrimp and al pastor. The shrimp was the best. It had slaw and a nice sauce. The shrimp were nicely fried though bit heavy handed with the batter. The carne asada was 6/10. Meat was good and potion was generous but overall was dry. Some sort or salsa would have helped tremendously. I did use the yellow sauce that was on the table but that didn't add enough moisture. Unfortunately the al pastor was 2/10. Way too salty. One bite and I was done. And too greasy. The pickled radish and onions was entirely too spicey. I love spice but I like my pickled veg to be refreshing and cooling. Not another source of heat. Price point at $2.49 and $2.75 for the tacos was ok.

Nikki S.

Yelp
With al pastor in the name I thought it would have been good. Got the al pastor taco. Corn tortilla was good... the al pastor not. It was so dry, somewhat flavorful. The meat was dried up little chunks of pork. The dryness I could get past and definitely didn't think it was worth $2.50. Came with pickled vegetables and a spicy sauce. They have an array of different proteins and options how you want your protein such as a burrito or plate. But negative to the a pastor.

Dejah A.

Yelp
Been coming here for 6+ years. They have the best Mexican food and best horchata. My favorite is the pastor burrito and pastor quesadilla!! So delicious itll have you wanting more. Once you try their food you'll never want to stop. Amazing customer service, everyone is so nice and treats you with respect. I've never had a problem with them or my order. Very clean place to eat. Will definitely be going again soon.

Gilberto C.

Yelp
Hi everyone, I have been there several times and let me tell you that each time I left more than satisfied. I certainly was impressed with a request I made as of how I wanted my chilaquiles plate (as how I wanted bath with the salsa of my preference) and they came through big time. Most restaurants serve the chilaquiles soggy (that's not how's supposed to be). Here are great!!! The menudo is the best in town (I know and you as well that everyone's advertising as such) but this is the real deal, clean, aromatic and most importantly, very flavorful. Don't be fooled by the menu on the facade, if you are in a mood for something, just ask and you may be happily surprised. Service is always great. Don't expect to be served right away because all plates are made to perfection (this is not a fast food place). They're always courteous and very accommodating. The ambiance is just like most mercados in Mexico, great!!! I'll keep coming as often as time permits, as I must try all of their plates!!!!

Mameron C.

Yelp
The cashier tried to over charge me 3 times she had to get the manager who had to confirm she over charged me, he admitted she wrong, she got in her feelings and continued to have a horrible attitude and was being completely unprofessional even though I did nothin wrong. The food is not good enough to make up for the poor service. Never come here

Kellie R.

Yelp
Great food. Loved their salsa. Their Jamaica was refreshing. Overall pleasant meal. Will definitely return

Lisa W.

Yelp
AL PASTOR TACOS Located inside Mercado La Paloma, Vista Hermosa serves up some damn good cheap and fast Mexican food. They are known for their al pastor which is authentic and flavorful. Served in the form of a taco, burrito, or plate with beans and rice, it will be an eye rolling, foodgasmic explosion of flavor. I also like the wet burritos, which are HUGE. I prefer the chicken over carne asada (personal preference) and red sauce over green sauce. I usually get two meals out of one burrito, though in a hangover state, I have eaten the entire thing in one sitting. They also have great chips and guac, I always add a side to my meal. Check in on Yelp for a free soda. Or better yet check out their selection of aguas frescas. Get the watermelon if they have it!

John S.

Yelp
Very tasty Ordered the al pastor burrito and it was loaded with layers of flavor. Great meat/filler ratio.

Loc T.

Yelp
not gonna lie, i came for Itza next door but that line is way too hella long. so GLAD i went here. Their Al Pastor plate is one of the BEST al pastor i've had anywhere. also great watermelon drink. just skip itza and get the food here. it's really underrated.

Pancho V.

Yelp
Inside Mercado La Paloma is several food stands one of them being Taqueria Vista Hermosa....well they had me hooked at Taqueria and a big plus was their logo which is a Trompo of Al Pastor! The main strike against them was for a Taqueria food came out slow... Quesadilla con Carne Asada - https://www.yelp.com/biz_photos/taqueria-vista-hermosa-los-angeles?select=2rZaF3MUzmyMu-jLPHrUdA&userid=mXl8GMozjLoraG7PyFHWkg Could have had more cheese but the carne had great flavor https://www.yelp.com/biz_photos/taqueria-vista-hermosa-los-angeles?select=sV8yNjweWxNkBNctZP2W9Q&userid=mXl8GMozjLoraG7PyFHWkg 4-Stars Tacos - https://www.yelp.com/biz_photos/taqueria-vista-hermosa-los-angeles?select=rJaNQlK75hp5YtcjRgDE-w&userid=mXl8GMozjLoraG7PyFHWkg Carne Asada - https://www.yelp.com/biz_photos/taqueria-vista-hermosa-los-angeles?select=s1vZ40TpcjfIaKq7mWKigg&userid=mXl8GMozjLoraG7PyFHWkg First let's talk about the House made corn tortillas #Hijole yeah they are that good! the carne had great flavor, my only issue was I got a couple small pieces of gristle. 4-Stars Al Pastor - https://www.yelp.com/biz_photos/taqueria-vista-hermosa-los-angeles?select=L2fzyPfxIjzvLINXo0Sllg&userid=mXl8GMozjLoraG7PyFHWkg The House Specialty, Al Pastor on a Trompo! great flavor just missing the pina! 4.5-Stars Carnitas - https://www.yelp.com/biz_photos/taqueria-vista-hermosa-los-angeles?select=XfzWh2o2OO6j_cG1kYhV4A&userid=mXl8GMozjLoraG7PyFHWkg Moist and delicious piggy. 5-Star Birria (Res/Beef) - https://www.yelp.com/biz_photos/taqueria-vista-hermosa-los-angeles?select=oH7Dm_-lE8B8s83JIZphLQ&userid=mXl8GMozjLoraG7PyFHWkg They might Specialize in "Al Pastor" but this was Best taco of the bunch, incredible flavor, my only issue with taco was the laziness this was prepared....as you can see by the bay leaf in the taco photo! 5-Stars Salsa - https://www.yelp.com/biz_photos/taqueria-vista-hermosa-los-angeles?select=rgNKhGawo9XPCT9HfJpFKw&userid=mXl8GMozjLoraG7PyFHWkg Verde y Roja both were very good!

Melanie D.

Yelp
This is a small place located in the Paloma Mercado court. They are known for their al pastor protein. The al pastor burrito ($5.99) is sizable, but that's where the positive aspects end. There is little meat inside, and it is dry. The rice is overcooked and mushy. The accompanying spiced veggies are fresh but very spicy. Although next door Chichen Itza is not my favorite Mexican stand, it is still much better. Parking -free lot and street parking

Justin L.

Yelp
I was working with Raul and his family to cater our wedding! Everything about the experience of working with him and his daughters was delightful. The tasting we did with them was fantastic!! He catered to our desired menu and had a beautiful presentation. All of this for a much better price than his neighbor and many other caterers. I highly recommend Taqueria Vista Hermosa's food and their catering services. Thanks again Raul!

Katherine D.

Yelp
Reasonably priced Mexican food compared to other restaurants in the mini plaza/building it's in. Their carnitas is perfection!! We got the burrito and some tacos. It's good! Not the cheapest, but cheaper than its neighboring business! Not really a "restaurant" to go to. You order at the front and then they bring you your food

daisy a.

Yelp
The juiciest Al pastor ever . Wet burritos were so delicious, with a large horchata . This is really my go to spot in LA. They even cater and have the sweetest members in their kitchen .

Richard K.

Yelp
Damn it, I ate too fucking much... again! Story of my life... at least it was worth it. Went to Vista Hermosa inside Mercado La Paloma, which is more of a Latin American food court than an actual market. I mean they have everything from Peruvian food to burgers, from Yucatecan dishes to Oaxacan juices. But of course the main reason I keep coming back here is for the awesome tacos al pastor (TAP) served by Vista Hermosa. Unlike most of the poser taquerias in Los Angeles, Vista Hermosa does their TAP right. They marinate their pork in a secret recipe and then they cook it with pineapple on a spit roast similar to halal cooked meats. The end product is pork meat that is juicy and tender with crispy caramelized edges. And due to their secret recipe as well as the slow-cooked pineapple, the meat is surprisingly sweet, yet not to the point where it is overbearing. I ordered a three taco plate that came with three TAP tacos, rice, and beans. I also ordered a carnitas taco since I had not ordered it before. While the TAP tacos were excellent as always, the carnitas taco was a bit dry. Also, in my previous experience, I tried their carne asada taco, but again, compared to the TAP taco it just did not impress. Definitely stick to the TAP tacos. ¡Que riquisimo! In general their tacos con todo are served with cilantro and diced white onions and are served with sides of sliced radishes, pickled carrots and onions, and lime wedges. Their salsa is served in recycled coke bottles with dispenser pourers that are brought to you. While this works well for the salsa roja, which is runny, I always have a really hard time with their salsa verde because it is a lot thicker. In fact, every time I try to pour the salsa verde on my tacos, it looks like I'm masturbating. ¡Dios mio! And in regards to the flavors of the salsa, both the salsa roja and verde are okay, but I wish the salsa verde was tangier. I guess I'm just a fucking sucker for tomatillo salsas. So what I always end up doing at Vista Hermosa is combining the two salsas. By the way, beware the salsa verde because it has an unexpected kick to it. I would give Vista Hermosa 5-stars just for their TAP tacos, but they need to work on their salsas. Ah fuck it I'm in a giving mood, 5-stars. Just remember to stick to their tacos al pastor! View of my lunch: http://www.yelp.com/biz_photos/Hj1iNlNjj7jYRQ8mYD4Cpg?select=b6b30brk6YLANmPq3hQ81w View of the salsa bottles: http://www.yelp.com/biz_photos/Hj1iNlNjj7jYRQ8mYD4Cpg?select=hiuqzHWHD9jt_03KSk4Xnw View of coworker's lunch - TAP tacos without onions and cilantro: http://www.yelp.com/biz_photos/Hj1iNlNjj7jYRQ8mYD4Cpg?select=K0vfns0j7r6qGoOlsYsUng -------------------------- * Vista Hermosa (beautiful view in Spanish) definitely refers to their al pastor meat and their lovely workers. Because it sure as hell did not refer to the way I looked after my gluttonous rampage. Let's just say I looked anything but beautiful after my meal since I contemplated loosening my belt a notch. ** Vista Hermosa is at the far end of the building. Just walk straight from the entrance and you will see it. *** Don't forget to bring your parking ticket with you so that you can get it validated for free 2-hour parking. **** The Mercado La Paloma is really nice. It's to the east of the downtown Los Angeles DMV and was formerly a warehouse that was recently remodeled into the current beautiful building.

Shawn P.

Yelp
I work near this place and it is my go to fix for my burrito needs. Not only is their food good, they also give a small side of radishes and peppers to go with your order! Not many places do that any more. I guess those other businesses want to save money! Their salsas are pretty good. My only thing is that if you are eating your meal "for here", the salsa doesn't come out too well in their bottles (they use the same tops that bars use for their alcohol)

Genesis C.

Yelp
Such bad costumer service and owner very rude not Profesional at all , poor costumer service. Un happy .

Jim W.

Yelp
For a little Mexican place in a little market area...this place was great. I recommend the chile relleno plate. My wife doesn't even like chile relleno and she was stealing bites off my plate. Step away from my chile relleno. Prices are reasonable and food is super tasty. Super tasty is like tasty but with special powers or abilities. Oh, and they had a Yelp deal for you cheap bastards like me...just remember to tip well.

Aldo V.

Yelp
This has amongst the best Al Pastor I have had here in the US (it can go toe to toe with Leo's Tacos) , as a matter of fact I would say even on the realm of Mexico's best Al Pastor Tacos. The meat was perfectly marinated, it had that perfect vibrant red crispy glaze on the outside of the meat. The 3 salsas that come with the tacos are a great complement to the savory meat. Please do yourself a favor and come try the Al-Pastor tacos I can guarantee that you will not be disappointed.

Kai M.

Yelp
Their al pastor is amazing! Very well seasoned and tasty. Great prices for your standard tacos, burritos, wet burritos, horchata, etc. The guacamole is also delicious. Mercado la Paloma is a comfortable spot with lots of parking, seating and air-conditioning. Would definitely recommend for a quick and delicious bite to eat!

Casa De Aurum ..

Yelp
We had an early morning breakfast wich was very delicious! I had the chilaquiles with red sauce & over easy eggs and jamica. VERY TASTY! Prices were great and portion sizes were perfect! It's a place where i will definitely come back to!

Jovanee C.

Yelp
Got the Garlic Shrimp Plate with Drink and it was very delicious. I recommend it as a good spot in LA to eat. Super good. $11.99 special

Ryan J.

Yelp
Dear Friends, Thank you so much for all of your kind emails and compliments and messages inviting me back to Yelp. It has indeed been awhile. As a grad student, I have zero free hours during my day, so Yelp has unfortunately been one of my beloved activities which I have had to neglect. Until now. Because I feel that praise is owed to one of my new favorite lunch spots. There are a lot of fantastic Mexican restaurants in Los Angeles. Tons of them. On every corner. But there is one dish to which I return time and time again, as it is the most difficult to perfect and the tastiest when made correctly, and is therefore my benchmark for comparing all Mexican restaurants. The sacred. The magnificent. The seductive. AL PASTOR. Say it with me. It just rolls right off of your tongue. Ahhhhhhl Pastoooorrrrrr. Very nicely done. Just gave me a clue. (For those who don't get that reference, please feel free to check out the Hardly Boys episode of South Park; if you got that, then my hat is off to you) Vista Hermosa is one of the many delicious options when dining at the food court known as Mercado la Paloma. You'd never know it was there unless you were looking for it. But when I decide to brave the 110 freeway underpass and walk through that dark corridor towards my deliciously decadent doom, I can almost taste the wonderfully moist pork dripping down my throat. In fact, whenever I go to Mercado I can't stray from Vista Hermosa. Have I tried the other places? Yes. Are they tasty as well? Yes. Do they compare to my beloved Vista Hermosa al pastor? Not a chance. And let me tell you, Vista Hermosa does it RIGHT. A little bit of fat mixed in with the meat, not gristle mind you, but rather the type of fat that just adds that much more flavor to the meal. A healthy portion of beautifully prepared al pastor, with rice, beans, salad, HOMEMADE tortillas (word), and a selection of hot sauces that will put you into the all-encompassing and oh-so-satisfied food coma that I desire when I've had a long day on campus. Oh yeah, and they serve Mexican Coke, which is a definite plus... no HFCS por favor. Service is friendly, prices are reasonable and the food comes out quick. For what more can a man possibly ask? As far as food goes? Not much. 5 stars without a doubt.

Eli G.

Yelp
Torta #19 It has been over 6 months since my last torta. I thought I could control the cravings, but when I was suddenly thrust into the Mercado La Paloma I lost my will. Completely surrounded by sights and smells of Latino food, I knew only a torta could satisfy me. I wish I could remember the name of the torta I ordered. It was the only one on the menu that said it was a wet torta, topped with hot sauce, sour cream, and queso fresco. I ordered and let the torta lady know that I'd be around the corner at a far away table. Soon my treat was delivered; http://www.yelp.com/biz_photos/Hj1iNlNjj7jYRQ8mYD4Cpg?select=C4KPOmj8mOdi1Y9xG55tWg The torta looked and smelled incredible! How can you go wrong with something like that!? Not wanting to make a scene I decided to knife and fork it. The bread was a real standout, as it was soft and fluffy, but firm enough to not instantly disintegrate from the filling and toppings. The carnitas inside was very tender and flavorful, I just wish there was more of it. The only downside was the bread to meat proportions; http://www.yelp.com/biz_photos/Hj1iNlNjj7jYRQ8mYD4Cpg?select=pEuB9-76ZycOtMJCQ2ELFA All in all, it was a great sandwich and I'd order it again in a heartbeat.

Denny B.

Yelp
NO DOUBT ABOUT IT -THIS IS REAL al PASTOR. Bought three al pastor tacos, one torta de birria (chivo) and a horchata. Between the yelp deal on-line and the check-in free drink, the Yelp deal covered the total cost. $5 for two people to eat!! The tacos - Slices of porky goodness, with the darker red colored edges and the chewy middle. Oh yeah, this was made on a vertical spit. The red sauce really helps with the overall taste of the taco. Get them "con todo". $1.25. You can get birria, lengua or chicharron for 25 cents more. 6 stars The torta - was tasty, but lacking a reasonable amount of goat meat. http://www.yelp.com/biz_photos/Hj1iNlNjj7jYRQ8mYD4Cpg#UQrENfDvuDVf_bjLtRPo0A Lots of lettuce and such, lots of bread with the bolillo, not a lot of meat. This is a $6 torta - no way. That may be what the charge, but that isn't what they serve. Is it equal to four birria tacos? No way. 2 stars Horchata was a 3 star. Validated parking if you park in their lot. Lots of nice tables shared by the other stands that are in the Mercado. Overall, a 4 star place since I did not check out the other items on the menu. http://www.yelp.com/biz_photos/Hj1iNlNjj7jYRQ8mYD4Cpg#v1UWBAG_guQvO6MOeGr5PQ It is extensive. http://www.yelp.com/biz_photos/Hj1iNlNjj7jYRQ8mYD4Cpg#90uuO3oeWarrJSr4nZGwOw

Gregory C.

Yelp
Got the $10 for $5 Yelp deal today Had this wonderful Fish Wrapped in Paper (see my picture) with Shrimp. It is as good a meal as can be found among all the wonderful restaurants at Mercado La Paloma

Ydelays A.

Yelp
The shrimp quesadilla is sooooo good! I will definitely come back. The food was hot and fresh! Also, the staff were super nice and welcoming.

Ben V.

Yelp
Taqueria Vista Hermosa represents why I love Yelp so much. Yelp doesn't exist for friends lists. Nor does it exist for profiles or lists. Forums are fine and events are swell, but the reason why you Yelp is to find phenomenal food, shopping centers, auto repair services, shoes, or whatever it is you're looking for. The heart and soul of this community are the reviews on food. I was in need of some food near USC and took to my Yelp app to find the best food within a mile (and only 1 $). Taqueria Vista Hermosa was near the top of the list. What tipped me off though was the Yelp deal: $5 for $10 worth of food. I'm down. Hopped on a bike (yes, you can get around LA on a bike) and found my way over. To my surprise, this location is in a market I had never heard of. Ever walk into a market and know you found something great? This spot is in the back so find your way back and find the white & green "Vista Hermosa" sign. The guy who owns the place beams from ear the ear when he talks about his restaurant. His Al Pastor recipe is sacred to his family dating back to his grandfather, and he has turned down numerous tries by competitors to purchase the recipe. When I got him talking about the place I knew all I had to do was ask him: "Could you make me the best $10 meal you offer?" What I got was a wet burrito (al pastor with green sauce), two soft tacos (one asada one al pastor) and a can of coke. He personally brought out the plates and told me to enjoy. Enjoy I did. There is no reason why I should describe the taste or the ingredients. I'd be ruining the surprise. Go yourself. Stop reading this. Close your laptop/desktop/phone/ipad and head on over. The five stars speak for themselves. So good. Oh so good. I'll be back.

Francesca L.

Yelp
Mmmmm. My coworkers wanted to come here for tacos, but I was in the mood for something different. I decided to try the torta pambosa. It's a sandwich where the roll is grilled and then dipped in a spicy sauce, then filled with a tiny bit of chorizo, chunks of potatoes, and your choice of shredded chicken or beef (I had beef). It also had lettuce and a drizzle o crema plus sprinkle of queso fresco. At $6.50 for the sandwich, it is pricier than subway, but really filling and so much more exciting than cold cuts! I'll go again!