Birthplace of the modern day food truck revival, L.A.’s food truck culture is as vast as its geography. From night markets to lunch parks, birria tacos to fresh seafood, find your perfect bite to celebrate National Food Truck Day.
Avenue 26 Night Market
Address:
11003 Sports Arena Dr.
Whittier, CA 90601
Hours: Saturdays
Now in Whittier after years in the Lincoln Heights area, the Avenue 26 Night Market stands strong after starting as Avenue 26 Tacos years ago. The market has grown into the most diverse in Southern California and the informal home of almost 100 vendors. You can find bites like Sweet Meats’ barbecue skewers and El Jefe’s BBQ’s tri-tip sandwiches.
Live music, TikTok influencers, and twists on local eats make it one of L.A.’s most diverse and lively food parks.
Altadena Food Truck Friday
Address:
2270 Lake Ave
Altadena, CA 91001
Hours: Fridays 4pm-9pm
Every Friday night in Altadena’s Grocery Outlet parking lot, a handful of rotating trucks gather for food truck Friday. Taste L.A. Donut’s donut sundaes, The Tropic Truck’s Cali-Carribean loaded jerk chicken fries, or Veggie Bomb’s vegan street food. Nearby on North Lake Ave is a regular spot for a few local trucks, including Birrieria El Patron 818 for next-level birria and Funnel Birds for a Nashville hot chicken fix.
Granada Hills Grubfest
Address:
17723 Chatsworth St
Granada Hills, CA 91344
Hours: Fridays 5pm-10pm
15 trucks line up on Chatsworth Street every Friday night in Granada Hills for a family and dog-friendly grubfest. The trucks rotate but expect regular appearances from Poutine Brothers, The Churro Man, Desolar Fish Tacos, and Belly Bombz wings and burgers.
Beach Eats Marina del Rey
Address:
14101 Panay Way
Marina del Rey, CA 90292
Parking Lot #11
Hours: Thursdays 5pm-9pm (through 8/5)
Five rotating trucks take over parking lot #11 in Marina del Rey on Thursday nights for Beach Eats. Each week’s lineup is different, but expect to see Tokyo Style Food Truck’s unique brand of Japanese fusion with dishes like the bacon-wrapped Hawaiian teriyaki hot dog. Roll’n Lobster is another regular in the Beach Eats rotation. Check the website before you go to see who’ll be there each week.
Grand Park Lunch a la Park
Address:
200 North Grand Avenue
Los Angeles, CA 90012
Hours: Tues-Fri 11am-2pm
Downtown L.A.’s Grand Park offers weekday lunch from 2 rotating trucks for park goers and workers. Popular fish taco favorite The Surfer Taco has been popping up here, as has Flaming Grain’s nutritious gourmet bowls.
If you’re serving jury duty, show your juror badge for a 10% discount. The trucks show up for the lunch hour weekdays except Mondays, check the website to see who’s on rotation for the week.
Yess Aquatic
Address:
2001 E 7th Street
Los Angeles, CA 90021 (On Mateo Street)
Hours: Thurs-Sun 11am-3pm
This “experimental seafood truck” uses carefully sourced Southern California fish and shellfish to create dishes like the smoked Saikyo miso-marinated black cod sandwich with grilled spring onions and Romesco sauce.
Or, pair delicate sashimi salad with kombu-infused grapefruit Yess Aquatic water for a refreshing lunch. London chef Junya Yamasaki plans to open a brick-and-mortar restaurant in L.A.’s Arts District, but while waiting on pandemic delays he’s focusing on cooking for the community.
Mariscos Jalisco
Address:
3040 E Olympic Blvd
Los Angeles, CA 90023
Hours: 9am-6pm everyday
Mariscos Jalisco is an L.A. institution and has been serving tacos since long before the most recent food truck revolution. Perpetually ranked as some of the city’s best tacos, the crispy tacos de camaron are the go-to order here, though the ceviche is not to be missed.
The original Boyle Heights location is cash only, as is the DTLA truck (E 10th Street and Towne Ave), while the newer Westside location (La Cienega and 18th St Fridays through Sundays) takes credit cards.
Tacos Y Birria La Unica
Address:
2840 E Olympic Blvd
Los Angeles, CA 90023
Hours: 8am-3pm every day except Tuesdays
Southern California is chock-full of Tijuana-style birria tacos, so what makes one stand above the others? The rich consommé, streaked with beef fat and full of herbs and spices.
Handmade tortillas and salsas add flavor and punch to already delicious quesatacos (crispy tacos filled with cheese and birria). Located a few blocks away from Mariscos Jalisco.
Ricky’s Fish Tacos
Address:
3061 Riverside Dr
Los Angeles, CA 90027
Hours: Wed-Fri 12pm-4pm; Sat 11am-5pm; Sun 11:30am-5pm
If you’re looking for Ensenada-style fish tacos, Ricky’s is your stop. With a recipe inspired by his grandmother, the perfectly battered and crispy fried fish tacos are light and refreshing.
Ricky’s has been in business for over 10 years, and post-pandemic is considering selling the truck to retire, so make sure to try his tacos before he’s gone.
El Chato
Address:
5300 Olympic Blvd
Los Angeles, CA 90036
Hours: Tues-Sat 7pm-12am
El Chato is a local, late-night legend known for their tacos, burritos, and mulitas (think crispy tortillas stuffed with cheese and meat). This is the place to try tender cabeza taco or a savory al pastor quesadilla with griddled onions.
Treat Day
Address:
2543 S Genesee Ave
Los Angeles, CA 90016
Hours: 12pm-7pm every day
Open noon until 7pm daily, the Treat Day Truck is serving up modern comfort food for vegans and carnivores alike. Fresh ingredients make their po’boys, burgers, and wraps stand out. Don’t skip dessert here: homemade turnovers and smoothies round out the menu.
Hibachi Papi
Address:
W 12th St and Flower
Los Angeles, CA 90015
Hours: 4:20pm – 1am Sun-Thur; 4:20pm-2am Fri & Sat
Parked near the Staples Center is late-night, post-Lakers game favorite Hibachi Papi. Known for Teppanyaki cuisine, combo plates are the way to order here: The filet, chicken, shrimp trio is a popular choice. Bonus points for subbing fried rice in for the steamed rice the combos come with.
Do you know of a permanent food truck spot that didn’t make the list? Has a truck closed or their hours changed? Click here to leave us a note so we can keep this article up to date.
