Arturo’s Puffy Taco
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The Details:
15693 Leffingwell Rd
Whittier, CA 90604
(562) 947-2250
Mon-Sat 10am-10pm
Cash Only
The Los Angeles Foodie Rating:
The Summary:
Whittier is the definition of suburban Los Angeles. Many of my native southern California pals grew up in the neighborhoods of Whittier, La Habra, Norwalk, La Mirada, and many other cities created by the massive urban sprawl of our city. It is these folks who first introduced me to the richness of our local culture — especially the culinary part. Arturo’s Puffy Taco is nondescript shack (though well-kept) that you might drive by every day for years without noticing. But take notice because not only are Arturo’s namesake puffy tacos delicious, the restaurant embodies southern California’s culture. This is a true landmark.
The Place:
Arturo’s is a dive nestled in a small space next to a U-Haul rental store on Leffingwell Road in Whittier. The place is small with indoor seating for about 25 people. There are a few benches outside for overflow. The ordering is efficient and friendly, and the restroom was surprisingly clean and in-order for a dive. I usually jump the conclusion that a bathroom will be really nasty at dive shacks, but definitely not so in this case. Like any good southern California joint, there is a walk-up window where you both place your order and pick up your food. In my opinion, a puffy taco is best enjoyed standing up or at one of the outdoor benches. The semi-open kitchen also fulfills orders at an indoor counter for dining room patrons.
The Food:
Arturo’s has a full Mexican/American menu,
but the $1.90 puffy taco is the reason to keep coming back. The crispy shell is bubbly, light, and airy. The fillings are “gringo” style: seasoned ground beef (which is reportedly mixed with potato), cheddar cheese, lettuce, and salsa. The shell is slightly oily, but in this case oily is a good thing. Tacos are served in a paper tray, which really helps to round out the casual vibe of Arturo’s. The taco itself is moist, crunchy, and hearty – a surprise when you remember that each taco is under two bucks. Two puffy tacos make for a full meal.
The Service:
The kitchen is efficient, and the staff was exceptionally friendly on my visit. Arturo’s doesn’t claim to have invented the puffy “gringo” taco, but that hasn’t stopped nearly every food publication in the Southland from doing a writeup on the place. Even Food Network has stopped by. Therefore, the staff have likely become accustomed to people’s asking questions.
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