Jonathan Gold’s Favorite L.A. Spots for a Taste of Baja

We traveled to Mexico to bring you this week’s episode of Good Food. After hearing about the uni tostadas and beer battered fish tacos – we thought you might want to know where you can find a taste of Baja this side of the border. So we asked Jonathan Gold to give us a run down of where to get Baja style eats in Los Angeles. Given our close proximity to Tijuana, it’s surprising there isn’t a stronger Baja influence in the Mexican food in LA. However, Jonathan says there are a few key places where you can get your fix:

Tacos Baja Ensenada: This is Jonathan’s pick for the best fish tacos in Los Angeles.

Ricky’s Fish Tacos: Another contender for the best fish taco in LA, follow Ricky on twitter for his location.

Taco Nazo: A decent chain in South LA serving fish and shrimp tacos.

Mexicali Taco & Co: Mexicali Taco serves carne asada and al pastor in four tortillas that they pick up in Mexicali several times a week. They are known for their vampiros which contain melted cheese and resemble quesadillas.

Petty Cash Taqueria: A collaboration between Chef Walter Manzke, restaurateur Bill Chait and StreetGourmetLA’s Bill Esparza, Petty Cash is the new wave of Baja cuisine in LA. Esparza invited Tijuana chef Guillermo “Oso” Campos Moreno of Tacos Kokopelli fame to contribute to the menu, and Manzke (who grew up in San Diego and has fond memories of going to concerts and eating tacos across the border) brings his French training and love of Tijuana street food to the table. Expect tacos with heritage pork carnitas and prime beef carne asada.

Listen to his conversation with Evan below: