 "Photo: Angela Beach | Valley Star")
 "Photo: Angela Beach | Valley Star")
Taco stands have become iconic fixtures in the Los Angeles culinary scene, providing cheap and convenient eats to people from all walks of life. Within a five minute drive of Valley College lie two very different versions of the classic taco stand: Hugo's Tacos and Henry's Tacos.
Pulling in to Henry's Tacos, the first thing that strikes a diner is the classic sign that has lit up the corner of Moorpark and Tujunga for over 30 years. The food, however, might make the diner wonder why. The menu is limited and overpriced for what it is––a small selection of tacos and burritos filled either with Henry's signature ground beef or with beans that taste suspiciously canned. While the crispy taco comes looking like a drive-through taco, the soft taco comes looking exactly like a burrito wrapped up in an oversized flour tortilla. Want salsa? You have one option: Henry's hot sauce, a not-quite-so-spicy, tomato-based sauce.
On the other hand, Hugo's Tacos serves up fresh, nicely cooked meals. Its menu is big and the variety of food for meat lovers and vegetarians alike is impressive. The much-lauded salsa negra is overpoweringly smoky and lacking in salt, but the understated pico de gallo is fresh and flavorful. The soft taco at Hugo's comes in tender corn tortillas, with fillings to please carnivores and herbivores alike. Although the carnitas seem to have forgone melt-in-your-mouth fattiness in order to fit into Hugo's healthy menu, the al pastor is perfectly seasoned, the steak is tender, and the vegetarian fillings don't leave the diner wanting for meat.
Although Henry's and Hugo's both serve Mexican food, their approach is vastly different. The common thread between them is burgers that should be avoided at all cost. Hugo's serves relatively authentic healthy Mexican food while Henry's serves a competent, but uninspiring rendition of Americanized fast food tacos. Both close at 10 p.m. so they won't be open for any post-party snacks. But if you are looking for a good lunch or fast dinner option then Hugo's is the better bet. Straight down Coldwater at the 101 freeway, Hugo's is convenient as it is delicious.
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The Valley Star is akin to another well known propaganda machine: the LA Weekly. I really feel disgusted with the "opinion" article and will be reluctant to read what the Valley Star will try to sell me next.
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