Taco Tuesday: Everything but the trompo at Taqueria el Trompo

Most restaurants that serve trompo-style tacos al pastor do so only after dark and often only on weekends. I knew this before driving to Taqueria el Trompo in Anaheim, but given the restaurant’s name I was somewhat surprised when I came here on a Saturday afternoon and didn’t get to see the lavishly marinated pork spinning slowly on a vertical rotisserie. 

“Where’s the trompo?” I ask, pointing to an empty rotisserie. 

“Oh, later,” says the cashier. “Tonight. Friday and Saturday nights only.” 

On Friday and Saturday nights, the restaurant stays open until 3 a.m. 

All other days and times, the pork is simply cooked on a flattop griddle. While not true to its namesake, these are nonetheless very respectable street-style tacos. Same goes for the carne asada and chorizo tacos. But what’s even better is the birria, or stewed beef. The birria might not be better than La Super Birria in Santa Ana, but it is very, very good and perhaps even worthy of getting mentioned in the restaurant’s name. 

Taqueria el Trompo is located just a couple blocks away from the Packing House. 

Taqueria el Trompo

Where: 558 S Anaheim Blvd., Anaheim

When: Breakfast, lunch and dinner daily

Phone: 714-833-5864