King Taco's Original Cypress Park Location Eyed for Historic Monument Status

The iconic taco shop that helped define LA's taco culture could soon receive official recognition from the city.

Apr. 14, 2026 at 9:26pm

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A high-contrast silkscreen print in bright neon colors depicting a single King Taco menu item, such as a taco or burrito, repeated in a grid pattern to create a modern pop art representation of this classic Mexican street food.The vibrant colors and bold graphic style of this pop art illustration capture the iconic status of King Taco, a beloved Los Angeles institution that could soon be recognized as a historic cultural landmark.Los Angeles Today

The original King Taco location in Cypress Park is being considered for designation as a Historic-Cultural Monument by the Los Angeles city government. The proposal aims to formally acknowledge the restaurant's influential role in shaping LA's taco landscape and its significance as a symbol of Latino immigrant entrepreneurship.

Why it matters

The nomination is part of the city's broader effort to recognize cultural landmarks tied to immigrant communities that helped define Los Angeles' identity. If approved, the Cypress Park King Taco site would join a select group of businesses officially recognized for their historic and cultural importance.

The details

King Taco was founded in 1974 by Raul Martinez, who started the business from a converted ice cream truck after recognizing demand for authentic Mexico City-style tacos that were hard to find in LA at the time. Within a year, Martinez and his wife Lupe opened a small brick-and-mortar location in Cypress Park that initially served as a central kitchen supporting the growing business. King Taco helped popularize soft tortilla tacos filled with meats like carne asada, carnitas and al pastor, shaping what many consider the modern LA taco landscape.

  • King Taco was founded in 1974.
  • The original Cypress Park location opened within a year of the business launching.

The players

Raul Martinez

The founder of King Taco who launched the business in 1974 from a converted ice cream truck.

Lupe Martinez

Raul Martinez's wife, who helped open the original Cypress Park location of King Taco within a year of the business starting.

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What’s next

The proposal to designate the original King Taco location in Cypress Park as a Historic-Cultural Monument is scheduled to be reviewed by the Los Angeles City Planning and Land Management Committee.

The takeaway

The potential historic landmark status for King Taco's original location highlights how the iconic taco shop has become a symbol of the immigrant entrepreneurship and culinary traditions that have defined Los Angeles' identity. This recognition would cement King Taco's legacy as a trailblazer that helped shape the city's beloved taco culture.