Tito's Tacos

Tito's Tacos is a taco stand in Culver City, California. Opened in 1959, it is known for its American-style hard-shell taco and burritos. Considered a Los Angeles-area icon, the restaurant was named to Fox News' list of the ten best tacos in America in 2014, and was ranked #1 on The Daily Meal's "Top 35 Burritos in America" list in 2015.

Tito's Tacos
Restaurant information
Established1959 (1959)
Owner(s)Lynne Davidson
Previous owner(s)Benjamin Davidson
Norman Davidson
Food typeMexican-American cuisine
Street address11222 Washington Place
CityCulver City
StateCalifornia
CountryUnited States
Coordinates34.0082°N 118.4145°W / 34.0082; -118.4145
Websitetitostacos.com

History
Restaurant exterior

Tito's Tacos was established in 1959 by Benjamin Davidson. The menu was developed by Davidson's business partner, Benny Vizcarra, with additional input from the restaurant's first employee, Amado Madero. A year after its opening, Vizcarra wanted to buy out Davidson but did not have enough money to do so. At that point, Davidson solicited funds from his ex-wife, a native of Mexico, and bought out Vizcarra. The business came under the ownership of Davidson's son, Norman Davidson, a few years later. In 1981, Norman's daughter Lynne Davidson assumed ownership.[1]

In 2016, the restaurant changed its long-standing cash-only policy to accept credit cards.[2]

In 2016, Tito's Tacos successfully filed a cease and desist order against the owner of Tito's Tacos of Vermont for trademark infringement. The Brattleboro, Vermont taco stand, which had been in business for ten weeks, agreed to change its name; it renamed itself Tito's Taqueria.[3][4][5]

As of 2018, Tito's Tacos employs 95 workers. Full-time employees receive full medical and dental insurance coverage for themselves and their families.[6]

Order of Tito's Tacos

The menu is notable for its use of hard-shell rather than soft-shell tacos, which is unusual for Mexican restaurants in Los Angeles, and for using cold cheese. Its salsa has also attracted attention.[1][7] The tacos are made to the same recipe introduced in 1959,[1] and the menu has remained unchanged for decades.[8]

Tito's Tacos is considered a Los Angeles-area icon.[9] Many of its customers have nostalgic memories of eating there as children.[10][11] The restaurant is known for its ubiquitous lines, although the lines "move quickly".[7][12] Its high volume is reflected in its product use. On an annual basis, Tito's Tacos uses more than 8,000,000 lb (3,600,000 kg) of tortillas and more than 500,000 lb (230,000 kg) of beef.[6][11]

Critical response

In 2015, Tito's Tacos' bean and cheese burrito placed #1 on The Daily Meal's ranking of the top 35 burritos in America.[13] Also in 2015, Tito's Tacos was named one of the "20 Places Where You Can Get the Best Tacos in the U.S." by Tech Times.[14] In 2014, Fox News placed the taco stand on its top-ten list of the "Best Tacos in America".[15]

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References
  1. Trinh, Jean (December 16, 2016). "Tito's Tacos Famous Red Salsa, 57 Years in the Making". KCET. Retrieved May 18, 2019.
  2. Champlin, Brian (May 18, 2016). "Tito's Tacos is Now Accepting Credit Cards For The First Time Since 1959". We Like L.A. Retrieved May 19, 2019.
  3. Audette, Robert (October 4, 2016). "Tito's Tacos to change name following trademark tangle". Brattleboro Reformer. Retrieved May 19, 2019.
  4. Mays, Chris (November 19, 2017). "Tito shares entrepreneurial advice to Greenwood students". Brattleboro Reformer. Retrieved June 25, 2019.
  5. Champlin, Brian (May 18, 2016). "Tito's Tacos is Now Accepting Credit Cards For The First Time Since 1959". We Like L.A. Retrieved May 19, 2019.
  6. Coopersmith, Sandra (September 27, 2018). "Skip the Siesta, Come to Tito's Fiesta!". Culver City Observer. Retrieved May 19, 2019.
  7. Gold, Jonathan (July 23, 1992). "Man Bites Taco". Los Angeles Times. Retrieved May 18, 2019.
  8. Thornburgh, Nathan (August 26, 2012). "Plates of the Union: Tito's Tacos". Roads & Kingdoms. Retrieved May 19, 2019.
  9. Chacon Jr., Pablo (October 4, 2018). "Celebrating National Taco Day With Tito's Tacos". KTLA. Retrieved May 18, 2019.
  10. Elliott, Farley (December 6, 2011). "Los Angeles: Tito's Tacos, a Nostalgic Hard-Shell Taco Stand in Culver City". Serious Eats. Retrieved May 18, 2019.
  11. "How Tito's Tacos Became LA's Favorite Hardshell Taco (video)". Food Insider. December 23, 2018. Retrieved May 18, 2019.
  12. "Tito's Tacos Review". Picky Palate. August 8, 2018. Retrieved May 18, 2019.
  13. Kolenda, Kate (September 22, 2015). "America's 35 Best Burritos 2015". The Daily Meal. Retrieved May 18, 2019.
  14. Dizon, Jan (May 27, 2015). "20 Places Where You Can Get the Best Tacos in the U.S." Tech Times. Retrieved May 18, 2019.
  15. Myers, Dan (May 15, 2014). "The best tacos in America". Fox News. Retrieved May 19, 2019.
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