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Los Angeles Designates Original King Taco a Historic-Cultural Monument

The status triggers a preservation review that can block demolition for up to a year.

Overview

  • The City Council, which voted unanimously Tuesday, granted landmark status to the first King Taco at 1118 Cypress Avenue in Cypress Park.
  • The designation allows the city to pause any plan to demolish the building for up to one year during a formal review.
  • Planning officials say the site represents important cultural and economic history and reflects Latino commercial identity.
  • Heritage commissioners credit founders Raul and Maria Martinez with launching the first U.S. taco truck and popularizing soft-shell tacos in Los Angeles.
  • The business began as a converted ice cream truck in 1974, opened the Cypress Park storefront in 1975, and now operates more than 20 Southern California locations.