Strolling down Atlantic Avenue in Bell, you smell sizzling carne asada long before the neon sign of Tacos El Jefe comes into view 🌮🔥. Open 24 hours and family-run for decades, this taquería is the kind of late-night beacon Angelenos crave—bright lights, fast lines, and that unmistakable aroma of mesquite-grilled beef. Whether you’re grabbing a quick bite after a Dodger game or fueling a midnight study session, the kitchen turns out comforting Mexican food at lightning speed. Plenty of parking, casual counter ordering, and a spacious dining room mean you can roll in with friends, kids, or your whole work crew without sweating the details. Prices hover around $3 – $6 per taco and $10 – $14 for loaded plates, keeping things easy on the wallet while still delivering generous portions and big flavor 🧑🍳.
Services
• 24/7 counter service—perfect for night-owls 🌙
• Drive-through AND walk-up windows for zero-wait convenience 🚗
• Salsa bar stocked with seven house-made sauces, cilantro, onions & lime
• Large family booths plus patio seating for fresh-air vibes
• Catering packs for office lunches, parties, and game-day spreads 🎉
• Free refills on agua fresca when you dine in
• Call-ahead ordering & third-party delivery apps accepted
Menu
- Carne Asada Tacos: smoky steak on handmade corn tortillas, onions, cilantro (fan favorite)
- Al Pastor Burrito: spit-roasted pork, pineapple, beans, rice, salsa verde, cheese 🌀
- Suadero Quesadilla: juicy beef brisket tucked in grilled flour tortilla oozing Oaxaca cheese
- Gordita de Chicharrón: crispy masa pocket stuffed with slow-braised pork & crema
- Wet Chicken Burrito: smothered in tangy tomatillo sauce, melted jack, sour cream
- Loaded Nachos El Jefe: mountain of chips, choice of meat, queso, pico, jalapeños, guac 🧀
- Horchata or Jamaica agua fresca—refresher in every sip 🌺
- Flan Casero: silky caramel custard to finish sweetly 🍮
Pros
✅ Open all day and night, satisfying cravings whenever they strike
✅ Wide selection of meats—carne asada, al pastor, pollo, lengua—so every visit feels new
✅ Generous salsa bar lets you customize heat & zing 🌶️
✅ Kid-friendly portions plus hearty platters for big appetites
✅ Fast turnaround: most orders ready in under 5 minutes, even at peak hours
Reviews
⭐ “Hands-down the best carne asada burrito east of downtown. Meat is well-seasoned, tortillas are warm, and the red salsa kicks! Cheap eats, big smiles.” – Jasmine M.
⭐ “Love that they stay open 24/7. Pulled in at 2 AM and the staff served fresh, HOT tacos without rushing us. Horchata hit the spot. Will be back.” – Alex R.
⭐ “Family favorite for years! Spacious dining room handles our Sunday crew of ten. Try the gorditas—crunchy outside, soft inside, packed with flavor 😋.” – Rodriguez Family
➖ “Food tasty but they confused my order twice this month. Double-check before you drive off.” – Marco P.
➖ “Good value yet tacos are smaller than I remember, and salsa bar sometimes looks messy late at night.” – Elena S.