Taco Trucks, Etc.
Teachers Chris Rutherford ‘02 and Aaron Sonderleiter ’02 led a crusade to save L.A.’s embattled taco trucks in 2008.
In L.A., food trucks serve everything from Kogi barbecue to cupcakes. This city is bursting with local and regional cuisine options. Eat like a king on a student budget.
Hole-in-the-wall joints, taco trucks you can follow on Twitter, out-of-the-way gems—everyone in L.A. develops their own list of favorites. Let us be your guide to Eagle Rock and Highland Park’s best-kept secrets and popular hangouts.
Auntie Em’s: “The very best homemade dishes this side of Kansas.” Pasadena Weekly
Cacao Mexicatessen: “A duck carnitas taco is about as much happiness as $3 can be expected to buy.” L.A. Weekly
Café de Leche: President Veitch is a regular at this coffeehouse that anchors York Boulevard.
Casa Bianca: An Eagle Rock institution since 1955 (and an Obama favorite). “Some claim it makes the best pizza west of Brooklyn.” Los Angeles Times
The Coffee Table: Breakfast, lunch, dinner, and late hours in an Art Deco landmark.
El Huarache Azteca #1: “As close as it gets to the simple cooking found deep in Mexico.” Los Angeles Times
Galco’s Soda Pop Stop: Choose from 500 hard-to-find sodas and a huge inventory of retro candy. Goo Goo Cluster, anyone?
Leo's Taco Truck: A local institution with a killer al pastor served nightly.
My Taco: “My Taco’s plate of carne asada fries is the Mt. Everest of gabacho cuisine.” L.A. Weekly
The Oinkster: Slow fast food -- an oxymoron? -- with a simple but sophisticated menu of BBQ, hamburgers, chicken, and pastrami.
Panang: "A complete classic Thai dining experience." Pasadena Weekly
Pat and Lorraine's Coffee Shop: Location for opening scene in Reservoir Dogs. Breakfast and lunch at your own risk.
Pete's Blue Chip Burgers: A great $4.25 garden burger basket.
Señor Fish: Mexican seafood, famous for fish and scallop tacos.
Spitz: Doner kebab by two young Oxy alums: “sublime.” Los Angeles magazine
Swörk Interactive Coffee Bar: Late-night studying, Internet access, live entertainment, outdoor tables in the heart of Eagle Rock.
Taco La Estrella Truck: “A pretty damn delicious taco.” The Great Taco Hunt
Tommy's: Since 1946. There are many imitators, but only one Tommy's chili burger. Don’t forget a napkin. Or five.
The York: Gastropub with a relaxed but confident indie-boho personality. Host to the occasional faculty mixer.