Henry’s Tacos: Land of the Free, Home of the Taco Burger
On the corner of Tujunga and Moorpark sits a small and unassuming taco stand named Henry’s Tacos. The stand is busy and I use the wait time to scope what everyone is eating at the nearby tables. The menu is small, and it seems there is no favorite item in this crowd. I order through a small screen window [photo]–a taco burger with everything, a hard taco, a diet coke–and my food quickly slides out on a tray, all wrapped up in neat parcels of paper.
At my table, I eagerly unwrap the taco burger first. Here, on a grease-stained piece of parchment paper, is the reason I love Southern California. This shotgun marriage of the United States and Mexico consists of seasoned ground beef, shredded lettuce, grated cheddar cheese, hot sauce and mustard on a soft hamburger bun. I fall in love at first bite.
The taco is more of that same ground beef, a slice of tomato, shredded lettuce and cheese in a yellow corn shell. It reminds me of grade-school lunch, somewhat comforting as I mull over Robert Blake blasting his wife a block south of here at Vitello’s.
Still riding high on my taco burger-inspired feeling of patriotism, I go up to the window to order more food. I get the homemade chili, a burrito and a tostado[sic]. It is at this time that I realize that the only meat offered on the menu is that same ground beef. The tostado [photo] is the sole vegetarian offering, but I am assured beef can be added upon request. The burrito is delicious, and packed with beans, rice and beef. The chili is bean-free and is terrific drizzled on top of the tostado, once again reinforcing the “melting pot†vibe here at Henry’s Tacos. For those who worry that the traditional foods offered here are no longer “authenticâ€, let me remind you that fusion cuisine is the sum of two parts, the product being something new to appreciate.
I have decided that Henry’s Tacos, which has been serving up American pride since 1961, is a testament to the entire United States. To snub the taco burger is to spit on the foundation of our diverse heritage. For a mere $2.95, the cost of a taco burger with cheese, a sense of community is attained. And for just $17 more, you can announce to the world your love of ground beef and cultural diversity in the form of a Hanes Beefy-T shirt.
God Bless the Taco Burger!
Henry’s Tacos
11401 Moorpark St
North Hollywood, CA 91602
(818) 769-0343
awesome. must try. i can only hope jeannette goes easy, though. she has been known to be very opinionated on this topic
Most taquerias sell tortas–Mexican sandwiches with lettuce, tomato, mayonnaise, and a meat filling of your choice. The Mexicans beat you, Henry’s Tacos.
Taco Plus sells Taco Bell-style tacos and burritos as “Taco/Burrito de los Gringos.” Those, and the disturbingly clean bathroom, are the restaurant’s only saving graces.
there’s a taco stand near my house that sells mexican steak fries. so good… love the fusion.
I always distrust those places that sell tacos and burgers and hot dogs, but I know at least one such place–El Castillo, Washington Boulevard/Inglewood in west Culver City–actually has really good tacos. Their burritos…not so much. But the tacos are damn good.
What about Pastrami Tacos… ew… I’d rather eat sesos!
p.s.
http://www.flickr.com/photos/vidalia/10448103/in/set-258491/
I grew up eating taco burgers at Taco Tio in Compton and a little taco stand in Lynwood on Atlantic. They were one of my comfort foods. There’s another place on Euclid off the 91 in Anaheim that sells them but the bun isn’t right.
In 1975 I had a “taco burger” at Taco Bell. They called it a “bell beefer” and it was horrible, but what did I expect ordering a burger at Taco Bell? In my defense I was new in town (Isla Vista) and didn’t know about any of the restaurants in town, such as Hamburger Habit, which remains my most-loved burger.
Aw man! – You missed a few things.
-There is another vegetarian item, you can get a vegetarian burrito.
-The hot sauce there is really yummy (not that hot, but good flavor; I put a container into each item I get.
-Their combo burritos are usually the most satisfying (good size and combo of flavors), but if you are in a taco mood, the /soft/ taco is the way to go. I think the tacoburger and chili are on the menu to screw with the first timers (but hey, to each their own).
Cheers, Ryan
Amen to the Hamburger Habit in Isla Vista. Their burgers, onion rings and cherry cokes were awesome. Like the New York Hero House, the place was a great resource, when dorm food was at its worst. Holy smokes — that was the 77/78 school year!
[...] is also the top taco spot for Mary Kate and Ashley Olsen. Also, don’t miss our friends at LosAnjealous’ report on Henry’s and their extra special taco [...]
Hey! I worked at the New York Hero House for 7 years! (I was doing other stuff too (like working and taking classes at UCSB), but who cares when you could stand up there, making hundreds of sandwiches, telling jokes & getting tips of “all kinds”!?)
77-78? Yup, I was there…
But if you weren’t getting a Melvin or an Eggplant Parmigian, or a Go-U-Mets delite, or a Verrazano Bridge, the Habit rule(d)(s)…it was still going strong in Goleta and at least one other place last I saw.
I once ate a fully loaded Habit burger while driving thru Hope Ranch, double clutching my 3-on-the-wheel ‘65 Studebaker Lark and dripped……nothing!!! It was the proudest moment of my life…well up until then.
If you like – and if I’m allowed to post a site – check out a few IV memories at interestingcharacters.blogspot.com