Buzz for My Taco finally reached critical mass. Not only did Jonathan Gold laud the Mexican restaurant in LA Weekly, it’s also one of Michael Cimarusti’s regular hangs and friends have also been raving about My Taco for the past two years. Turns out I should have heeded their advice sooner. My Taco has a varied Mexican menu and colorful atmosphere. No wonder Maria Garduño and her family have built a loyal following since opening in 1994.

The space features bright blue and yellow walls, tile floors, and colorful chairs. My Taco’s logo is a sun, so it was no surprise to find sunburst artwork on the walls. The archway between the counter and dining room is strung with an artificial grape vine. It’s strictly order at the counter, with an elaborate chalk-drawn menu.

Barbacoa de Borrego (Large, $8.25) is the house specialty, a big plate of crusty spice-soaked lamb meat accompanied by raw onion, cilantro and mild yahualica salsa. The lamb comes with a murky cup of consommé, which we used to dip the DIY tacos.

Their signature taco features a tuft of lamb, raw onions, cilantro and yahualica salsa.

Chuletas de Puerco ($7.25) en salsa casera was a seasonal special. The tender pork chops were bathed in a spicy salsa strewn with chile seeds. The plate came with crema-drizzled tomato and iceberg lettuce salad, orange Mexican rice and pureed refried beans.

Nearby El Atacor #11 has gained a reputation for their smooth potato tacos, but I actually prefer My Taco’s version. Taco Dorado de Papa featured a fried taco shell filled with chunky potatoes, iceberg lettuce, diced tomatoes and finely shredded cheese. The plate came with cooling, chunky guac that was loaded with tomatoes and onions.

My Taco features a fully loaded salsa bar. I filled plastic containers with ferocious singed jalapeños that nearly had me in tears, pickled vegetables, spicy chipotle sauce, jalapeño salsa and mild red chile salsa.

In case lamb isn’t your thing, My Taco also sells a variety of – no surprise – tacos. Think pastor, buche (belly), cabeza (head), carne asada, carnitas, chorizo, lengua (tongue), longaniza (pork sausage), pollo, and tripas (gut).

Still, if lamb wasn’t previously your thing, it might be after tasting My Taco’s version.