Tamales Elena Y Antojitos

Parked in front of a recycling center in Watts, this colorful food truck represents something rare in LA’s sprawling food scene: a true Afro-Mexican kitchen. Tamales Elena Y Antojitos has weathered changes over the years, transitioning from truck to brick-and-mortar and back again, but the family behind it has never wavered from their commitment to crafting some of the city’s finest comfort food.

The star here is undoubtedly the tamales. These aren’t your typical filling-heavy specimens—instead, the masa takes center stage, steamed to a fluffy, subtly sweet perfection that justifies the restaurant’s name. Whether you choose the corn husk or banana leaf wrapping, fillings like tangy salsa verde chicken or surprisingly spicy pork in salsa roja all shine. For the full experience, order the tamal especial #2 and watch your tamales arrive swimming in meaty barbacoa broth. The tacos dorados deserve equal attention: golden, crispy shells emerge from the fryer with rich shredded beef inside, begging to be dipped into that soul-warming consommé.

This is decidedly casual dining—a sidewalk table next to the truck lets you enjoy your antojitos on the spot, though most customers treat this as a grab-and-go destination. Bring cash (cards aren’t accepted) and consider calling ahead to pre-order a couple dozen tamales for the week. It’s the kind of place where regulars know the drill and newcomers quickly become converts.

For anyone seeking authentic Guerrero-style cooking without pretense or inflated prices, Tamales Elena delivers exactly what it promises. Come hungry, leave happy, and don’t skip the pozole topped with crispy pork cracklings if it’s available.