Check Out DTLA Taco Joint From These 'New Kids On The Block'

LOS ANGELES, CA — When three best friends in LA decided the pandemic was a career-crippler for their livelihoods in the entertainment and fashion industries, they teamed up for a new venture that showcased their shared love of Mexican food — Tacos AF in downtown Los Angeles.

Now these “new kids on the block” are operating the taco shop on West 7th Street in the heart of DTLA's jewelry district and are garnering kudos from such celebs as Latin singer Becky G and Los Angeles Lakers' Rajon Rondo.

“I think what makes this really cool is that we’re not your ordinary trained restaurateurs," said co-owner Emilio Sanchez. "We’re three best friends that combined our passion for tacos with our branding experience and threw it all in a blender, and Tacos AF came out.”

Sanchez, along with his besties and now business partners, Brandon Thompson and Roman Royale, said they saw pandemic fallout slowly bring their work in the entertainment, photography and music biz to a halt, inspiring them to explore a new industry and leading to the summer opening of Tacos AF.

The Tacos AF menu features a street-taco fare, with input from the partners' favorite foods. From Thompson’s top choice for backyard parties comes the Los Compadres Carniceria, and traditional stone-ground handmade tortillas from LA Chapalita.

Other highlights include: the Deluxe Breakfast Burrito, with chorizo, sausage, bacon, hash browns, cheese and eggs; and the Elote Bowl, with corn, mayonnaise, lime queso and topped with Hot Cheetos or Takis.

Another popular item, Tacos AF's carne asada tacos, go through an eight-to-10 hour marination process and then are topped with cilantro and onion. The restaurant also serves classic chipotle chicken, al pastor and vegan-friendly mushroom tacos.

Sanchez said their goal is to continually evolve the menu to cater to the vibrant, downtown LA community and to find ways to support the community— highlighted in a recent cancer benefit where all proceeds from a day's taco sales went to the Downtown Women’s Center.

When Lakers b-baller Rondo showed up Oct. 4, working in the restaurant's kitchen for the Tacos AF's Women’s Center fundraiser, the appearance gained a mention on TMZ.

"We really love what we do on a daily basis and put so much effort into every detail of the guest’s experience,” Sanchez added.

Tacos AF, at 312 W. 7th St., is open 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. Mondays through Saturdays for dine-in, takeout and delivery via Grubhub, DoorDash, UberEats and Postmates. To follow Tacos AF, go here on Instagram @tacosaf or here for its website.

------------

IN OTHER RESTAURANT & DINING NEWS ON PATCH:

• Weekend At A Winery: Tour Temecula In 'Real Housewives'-Style
• Stay In A Giant Potato: Farmer Boys Launches Spudtacular Contest
• Lucille’s Smokehouse Bar-B-Que Adds Plant-Based Steak To LA Menus
• Food Truck Fire Puts San Diego Chef Out Of Business
• Oktoberfest 2021: Guide To The Best In Los Angeles County
• O.C.'s Slapfish Launches Line Of Hot Sauces
• Fan-Fave 'City Tacos' To Open 1st LA Locale At USC
• Weekend At A Winery: Stop For The Wine, Stay For The Glow