The site is an isosceles triangle, cut along the hypotenuse by the tracks of the Gold Line. If a parcel of this size and shape were created today, the city wouldn\u2019t let you build anything on it at all. Digging a little deeper, we learn that Parcel Number 549-202-5001, also known as \u201cRalph Rogers\u2019 Resubdivision of Part of Block \u201850\u2019 and Change in Block \u2018J\u2019 Garvanza\u201d, is 1,083 square feet. The 664-square-foot building was constructed in 1962. There is no parking. According to public records, the last sale amount for the property was $9, but I think it\u2019s worth quite a bit more than that. La Estrella is a triumph of efficiency, the kind of exploitation of marginal space that you would expect to find in Tokyo or New York, but seldom in Los Angeles.<\/p>\n
As we approached, we heard \u201cSmells like Teen Spirit\u201d blaring from inside the kitchen. You stand on the sidewalk to order, and sit on the other sidewalk to eat at one of three primary-colored fiberglass-and-steel tables under a plank-and-beam roof in front of a mural depicting the taqueria itself. If you look close, you\u2019ll see a hog with the word \u201clust\u201d appropriately tattooed on its rear end.<\/p>\n
Carmen and I each ordered the triumvirate \u2013 one carne asada, one al pastor, and one carnitas; and I an horchata, and Carmen a pi\u00f1a. The total came to $11.94 \u2013 working backwards, I think the tacos must have been $1.25 each.\u00a0The pi\u00f1a tasted like pure, liquid candy! The serveuse picked up on the fact that Carmen could speak Spanish, and asked where she was from. Carmen said Panama. \u201cYou are a lucky guy,\u201d the young, rock and roll-loving serveuse then said to me. \u201cLatin-American women are better than normal women.\u201d Yes, I thought about how true that is. I feel sorry for all those inferior women bravely bearing the burden of their normalcy.<\/p>\n
We were quite pleased with the tacos we received, on a plate with radishes and giant juicy lemon slices. First I ate the carnitas. One of the better carnitas tacos I have had this year, the pork was diced into nice little rectilinear bits and had fried character (rather than the juicy stewy character), with good tooth resistance and a smooth porky flavor. La Estrella\u2019s thick, strong salsa roja was a pleasing accompaniment. Tortillas were the normal kind, doubled and semi-bilaminated, but well prepared.<\/p>\n
![\"\"](\"http:\/\/tacos.architectureburger.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2010\/04\/19tacoA.jpg\" "\\"19")
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