Vegetarian Option at Tito's Tacos in LA: How to Enjoy the Iconic Mexican Restaurant Without Meat
- Dr. K.
- Apr 11, 2023
- 2 min read
Updated: Feb 8
Tito's Tacos is a popular Mexican fast-food restaurant located in Culver City, a neighborhood in the west side of Los Angeles, California. The address is 11222 Washington Pl, Culver City, CA 90230.
Not too many vegetarian items, I am afraid. But yes for tamales. Read along.
The restaurant has been around since 1959 and is a local icon in the Los Angeles area. It is a casual, no-frills spot with limited indoor and outdoor seating. Lines can get long during peak hours, so be prepared to wait.
Tito's Tacos is known for their crispy hard-shell tacos filled with seasoned ground beef, shredded lettuce, and grated cheese. They also offer other Mexican dishes such as burritos, tamales, and tostadas. Their salsa and guacamole are also quite popular.
Although the shop serves mostly meat-based dishes, you will notice some vegetarian-looking options on their menu, including a bean and cheese burrito, a cheese enchilada, and a cheese tostada. They also offer sides like chips and guacamole, chips and salsa, and a side of beans.
Vegetarians BEWARE - Know that every item except the tamales have beans cooked in lard. Even their chips!
Some of us don't care. Some of us do.
BUT GO FOR THE TAMALES!!
Tito's vegetarian vegetable tamales are awesome, especially when you put the hot and cold sauces on the top! And they are vegetarian-friendly, no lard.
What are tamales?
While tamales are a traditional dish in many Latin American countries, each country has its own unique variation on this delicious and popular dish. In some cases, the differences are subtle, while in others, they can be quite distinct.
In Mexico, tamales are typically made with masa (corn dough) and are filled with various ingredients such as chicken, pork, or beans, along with spices and chilies. They are then steamed and served with salsa or other condiments
In Colombia, tamales are larger and are made with cornmeal and a variety of fillings, such as chicken, pork, beef, potatoes, and vegetables. They are typically wrapped in banana leaves and steamed, and are often served with hot chocolate or coffee
In Peru, tamales are called "humitas" and are made with fresh corn, onion, garlic, and chili pepper. They are typically wrapped in corn husks and steamed, and are often served with aji sauce
In Ecuador, tamales are often made with a mixture of cornmeal and mashed potatoes, and are filled with pork, chicken, or vegetables. They are wrapped in banana leaves and boiled or steamed, and are often served with hot sauce or ají.
This is a photo of Tito's tamales.
