Watch CBS News

Best Taco Trucks In Los Angeles

El Taquito Mexicano Lengua Taco
The lengua taco from El Taquito Mexicano. (credit: www.gourmetpigs.blogspot.com)

Over the past few years there has been a virtual explosion of Los Angeles food trucks – some gourmet, some simple – but all of them based on the ubiquitous roving Mexican taco truck. Some of the fancy trucks are great, but can they hold a candle to the original? Here is a list of the best taco trucks around – whether that taco is a chef-prepared snack bursting with fusion flavors and dripping with an exotic sauce, or the traditional, classic – and often unbeatable – Mexican taco. Follow the trucks on Facebook and Twitter for their daily locations. - Arianna Armstrong

Border Grill food truck
The Border Grill Truck. (credit: www.bordergrill.com)

Border Grill

Location varies, check their status online 
http://www.bordergrill.com
Twitter: @BorderGrill
Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/pages/Los-Angeles-CA/Border-Grill-Truck

Susan Feniger and Mary Sue Milliken are famous for their upscale twists on Mexican, so it's no surprise that the Border Grill Truck is serving up actual street food with a gourmet flair. Taco fillings include Yucatan pork and potato rajas, and are served on homemade tortillas. Quesadillas and the ensalada (lunch only) are packed with ingredients like roasted poblano chile, avocado and sautéed wild mushrooms. This is no "roach coach," and you'll pay a premium, but prices are much lower than anything at their brick-and-mortar restaurants and worth every penny.

El Matador

1174 N Western Ave and Lexington
Los Angeles

If you're feeling hungry in Hollywood, El Matador is ready to serve you. Devotees throw around words like "the best," "wow," and "the most delicious" when describing the asada, al pastor and carnitas. These tacos are sometimes a little on the small side, so stock up on several during your post-club food crawls – you'll be glad you did. You'll also be in good company, as you and your fellow taco fanatics chow down.

El Pique 

At the corner of York Boulevard and Avenue 53
Highland Park

Authentic Mexican taco trucks in Pasadena are not a novelty, but El Pique serves the best of the best Lengua, cabeza, buche and tripas. If these are words that whet your appetite, then this is the taco/burrito/torta truck to try. Not feeling quite so carnivorous? Fans rave about the veggie burrito and crisp, refreshing cucumber side "salad," too. Wash everything down with a Mexican Coke – and smile.

Kogi Truck
The Kogi Truck. (credit: Arianna Armstrong)

Kogi Korean BBQ

Location varies, check their status online
http://kogibbq.com/
Twitter: @KOGIBBQ
Facebook: www.facebook.com/pages/Kogi-BBQ

Although the tacos here are packed with Korean flavors (versus of the al pastor and carnitas found at the more traditional trucks on this list), the Kogi trucks fired up a food truck frenzy and are partly responsible for the number of trucks on the LA streets. Kogi is famous for their Korean BBQ tacos (juicy mouthfuls of short rib, spicy pork and chicken, wrapped in a tortilla), and Chef Roy's take on hot dogs and quesadillas. This is food that started the gourmet food truck trend, and Kogi still serves up some of the tastiest tacos around – especially if you're searching for something completely nontraditional.

La Estrella

At York Boulevard and Ave 54
Highland Park
Corner of Highland View Avenue and Colorado Boulevard
Los Angeles

Tacos and burritos brimming with juicy, perfectly seasoned meats are served up at the mobile version of La Estrella's brick-and-mortar location. Devotees swear by the cabeza and al pastor, but the lengua and carnitas get lots of love, too.

El Taquito Mexicano Truck
El Taquito Mexicano Truck. (credit: www.gourmetpigs.blogspot.com)

El Taquito Mexicano

467 North Fair Oaks Avenue, in the Nishizawa Auto parking lot.
Pasadena

Most fans of this truck are so busy jumping up and down about their El Taquito Mexicano love (a la Tom Cruise on Oprah's couch) that they barely have time to scarf down palm-sized portions of lengua, chicarrones, asada and free-range chicken. Maybe, in their excitement, you'll have a chance to cut in line for your chance to try some of Pasadena's best tacos (although they keep things moving at this truck, so it's probably best to be polite and simply wait your turn).

Taco Zone

1342 North Alvarado Street (at Montana Avenue). Located in front of Vons supermarket.
Los Angeles

This Echo Park truck has a rabid (and usually ravenous) following, and devotees swear by the off-the-menu Mulitas. Sort of like a crispy quesadilla, you get a choice of meat, in additional to the cool feeling of knowing the Taco Zone "secret handshake," when you finally get to the front of the [long] line and order this unadvertised snack. The lengua, al pastor, suadero, and the homemade salsa bar are all excellent, too.

Arianna Armstrong is a freelance food and wine writer who eats, drinks and sleeps in Los Angeles. You can read more about her delicious escapades at GrapeSmart.net, FoodTruckTimes.com and MutineerMagazine.com.
View CBS News In
CBS News App Open
Chrome Safari Continue
Be the first to know
Get browser notifications for breaking news, live events, and exclusive reporting.