Carne asada is not just a taco

In millions of backyards across Southern California, an asada represents more than just meat. It means family, friends, memories, great music, cold drinks, good times, and the community you’ve built—all centered on the promise of juicy grilled meat and all the fixings that remind you of your upbringing. The smell of asada is an invisible cloud of joy that forever lingers around the streets of Los Angeles. In a city like L.A., where the taco is a way of life, backyard asada culture is as respected as church on Sundays. Inviting someone to your carne asada is a gesture of love, respect, generosity, and friendship. It’s a way of welcoming you and feeding you like family. At its most essential, all you really need for a proper carne asada is some meat, tortillas, and salsa. But a true carne asada is only as good as you prepare it to be. Every family has their own secret carne asada recipe or their go-to carnicería (meat market) that they will defend and stay loyal to for having the best marinated beef, pork, and chicken.