Cactus Taquería’s Final Bite in Hollywood

The story of a small taco shop that lived for 34 years ends in the heart of Hollywood. The family who opened it, Mario and Martha, started selling simple tacos on Vine Street in 1992 while raising their kids nearby. The shop grew into a neighborhood staple, serving late‑night burritos and earning loyal fans among locals and celebrities alike. In 2023, a nonprofit called Project Angel Food bought the building. Their plan to demolish the space and expand their kitchen training program forced the taquería to close. Two other stores in the same strip mall shut down at the same time. Mario, who moved from Tijuana over four decades ago, and Martha, whose mother taught her traditional Mexican cooking, blended their recipes into a menu that included vegetarian options.

Their son Marlo now runs the business and remembers growing up in the shop’s cramped kitchen, working while his parents ran the place. The flagship location on Vine Street was more than a restaurant; it was a community hub where first dates turned into proposals, and families hired the taquería to cater weddings. Famous patrons like Brad Pitt, SZA, and Selena Gomez stopped by for special meals or just a taste of the local flavor. Project Angel Food’s new “demonstration training kitchen” will serve a similar purpose, teaching healthy cooking to its clients—many of whom are Latino. The family sees this as a continuation of their legacy, helping the neighborhood in another way. Marlo says they will not give up. Whether it’s a food truck, a street stand, or another storefront, the Tornel–Silva team plans to keep serving tacos somewhere in Hollywood.

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