Street Tacos & Charred Meats
Tacos de Cabeza in Los Angeles
Look for steam rising from covered metal steamers holding deeply tender, seasoned beef head cuts carved fresh for each tortilla at Imperial Night Market in Downtown LA on Friday, Saturday and Sunday evenings, when a vendor is serving it. Free entry.
2300 E 15th St, Downtown LA · Free entry
CATEGORY
Street Tacos & Charred Meats
ORIGIN
El Bajío region
PREPARATION
Whole beef head steamed for hours until tender, shredded, and served in tortillas.
MARKET
Imperial Night Market, Downtown LA
HERITAGE
The origins of Tacos de Cabeza
Tacos de cabeza trace their historical roots to the Bajío region of central Mexico, where whole beef heads were roasted in earth pits or steamed in specialized vaporeras.
Diners choose from specific cuts such as cachete (cheek), trompa (snout), paladar (palate), sesos (brains), and lengua (tongue), tucked into tortillas steamed in the same vapor and dressed with cilantro, onions, and martajada salsa.
Ultra-tender steamed beef with rich collagenChoice of specialized cuts like cheek and snoutMoist tortillas heated directly in meat vaporPaired with fiery crushed green martajada salsa
If you like Tacos de Cabeza
Frequently asked questions
What cuts are included in tacos de cabeza?
Tacos de cabeza can include beef cheek, snout, tongue, palate, brains, and eye meat.