Street food is a great equalizer. Many may not be able to dine in a five-star restaurant, but everyone can devour a relish-laden hot dog or salsa-topped taco from a street vendor’s cart. Though the populace of LA live in their cars, that doesn’t mean they won’t beat a footpath to the nearest food truck to sample some pretty tasty street fare. Read on, for the top 10 street foods in Los Angeles.
1. Guisados' street tacos; atop the taco food chain!
One might say street tacos are the lifeblood of Los Angeles. Sure they were born and bred in Mexico, but they are nurtured and fed to thousands of Angelenos. One of the top contributor’s to the L.A street taco scene is Guisados. Creating authentic Mexico-style street tacos with luscious slow-braised meats stuffed in a fresh home-made tortilla, Guisados has truly found its calling. Don’t forget to order a refreshing Horchata water to wash it all down. Life on the street doesn’t get any better than Guisados.
Guisados
Address: 2100 East Cesar E Chavez Avenue, Los Angeles, CA 90033
Website: Guisados
2. Kogi BBQ: L.A street food icons
Surprisingly, even though Mexican street tacos were the first on the L.A street taco scene, it’s actually a Korean BBQ purveyor called Kogi BBQ that’s credited with blasting street tacos into the stratosphere for Los Angeles locals. Kogi BBQ leads the way with their signature short rib taco; a scrumptious blend of caramelized Korean barbecue, red salsa, cilantro-onion-lime relish, slaw tossed in a chili-soy vinaigrette, then served on top of two fresh griddled corn tortillas. Kogi BBQ proves you can dole out quality street food at bargain prices.
Kogi BBQ
Address: 3500 Overland Ave #100, Los Angeles, CA 90034, also check website for various truck locales
Website: Kogi BBQ
3. The Original Grilled Cheese Truck: entering a serious cheese zone!
They’re ooey, gooey and delicious. A childhood favorite, the grilled cheese sandwich gets a grown-up make-over from The Original Grilled Cheese Truck. With choices like Brie Melt and Goat Cheese Melt, there’s a sophisticated air to gorging on such cheesy delights. But The Original Grilled Cheese Truck isn’t all high-brow, cheese lovers can also select crazy and fun choices, like the PB Banana Melt, a mix of peanut butter mascarpone with fresh sliced bananas and potato chips!
The Original Grilled Cheese Truck
Address: Check website for various locales
Website: The Original Grilled Cheese Truck
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4. Lobsta Truck: fresh New England flavor in sunny California
Succulent Maine lobster coated in butter, resting in a warm, fresh, slightly toasted split top roll, the lobster roll is pure delicious delight. Luckily, Los Angeles can add this tempting sandwich to its street food scene. Lobsta Truck is the brainchild of a seafood industry veteran who, after gorging on lobster while on a Maine food tour, decided to bring the delicious meat to L.A. The Lobsta Truck menu is small and simple, and the fresh lobster and fresh bread is delivered several times a week from the East Coast. Guests can get their lobster roll slathered in butter or mayonnaise.
Lobsta Truck
Address: Check website for various locales
Website: Lobsta Truck
5. Pink's: the ultimate hot dog stand!
Tasty and portable, hot dogs are classic street food. And no one does a better dog than Pink’s. A historic roadside stop, Pink’s originally began as a rolling cart in 1939. Today, Pink’s has grown into a beloved institution in Los Angeles and it shows, going through 1,500 to 2,000 hot dogs in a day! The hot dogs are creatively topped, and some dogs are named for celebrities, like the Emeril Legasse Bam Dog. Other Pink’s hot dogs are two meals in one, like the Philly Cheesesteak Dog; a 9 inch (228 millimeter) frankfurter topped with grilled steak, grilled peppers, onions, and American and Swiss cheese.
Pink's
Address: 709 N La Brea Ave, Los Angeles, CA 90038
Website: Pink’s
6. Yeastie Boys Bagels: smear masters of L.A
Bagels are bursting with yeasty goodness. Add a smear of cream cheese and you have a delicious and satisfying street food. Taking the standard bagel and cream cheese combination to the next level is Yeastie Boys Bagels’ mission. Los Angeles’ first bagel truck, Yeastie Boys Bagels started rolling in 2014. A crowd-pleaser is the Gameover; soft scrambled egg, peppered bacon, sliced tomato, beer cheese and jalapeno spread on a cheddar bagel. Yeastie Boys Bagels has non-meat eaters in mind with the Mishka; vegan sun-dried tomato spread, sliced red onion, alfalfa sprouts on an everything bagel. Yeastie Boys Bagels certainly raises to the occasion when it comes to bagels.
Yeastie Boys Bagels
Address: 8509 Melrose Ave, West Hollywood, CA 90069, also check website for various truck locales
Website: Yeastie Boys Bagels
7. Super Tortas DF: king of the Mexican-style torta
Tortas are a Mexican-style sandwich with many variations. However, the only variety that matters is the one found at Super Tortas DF. This simple, no-frills eatery provides astounding Mexican tortas. Super Tortas DF’s skilled torta makers pack immodest amounts of meats along with layers of cheese and egg stuffed between warm, fresh bread to create a mouthwatering masterpiece. Try the Rusa; layers of beef milanesa, pork leg, and Oaxacan cheese, or Super Tortas DF’s bestseller, the Torta Cubana.
Super Tortas DF
Address: 1098 E 41st St, Los Angeles, CA 90011
8. Made in Brooklyn: N.Y's ultimate street food in L.A
Pizza bought by the slice and eaten on the street is the backbone of New York City street food, and thanks to Made in Brooklyn it’s now a mainstay of L.A’s street food scene. Churning out authentic New York-style pizza slices, Made in Brooklyn does everything fresh; from the home-made sauce and meats to the quality ingredients and top-rated pizza dough. Aware that this is L.A, Made in Brooklyn also serves Southern California pizza pie favorites, like BBQ chicken and pulled pork.
Made in Brooklyn
Address: Check Facebook for various locales
Contact: +1 3238443642
Facebook: Made in Brooklyn
9. Gyro-worship worthy: Papa Cristo's
Papa Cristo’s is a low-key market & no-frills restaurant with lots of charm and character. Offering Greek eats from hummus to baklava, Papa Cristo’s really kills it with their top-notch gyros. The lamb beef with its wonderful blend of spices is a stand-out. Make sure to check out Papa Cristo’s on Thursday nights where they host a family-style dinner that offers various Greek fare. There’s also belly dancing. In addition, on weekends Papa Cristo’s provides live music, creating a delightful and fun dining experience.
Papa Cristo's
Address: 2771 W Pico Blvd, Los Angeles, CA 90006
Website: Papa Cristo’s
10. Sweet treat in da' haus - Coolhaus that is
Coolhaus takes the tasty and compact cookie and ice cream dessert combination and kicks it up several notches with its gourmet ice cream sandwiches, also known as sammies. The Coolhaus truck has been dispensing its cool treats since 2009, and what they turn out is some wild and crazy concoctions. For a walk on the wild side, sample the avocado sea salt sammie. Taste something crazy like their seasonal beer and pretzels sammie. And for the daring try the foie gras PB&J! But have no fear, Coolhaus does offer old-school ice cream sandwich flavors, like chocolate and vanilla.
Coolhaus
Address: Check website for various locales
Website: Coolhaus
Eats on the streets...of L.A
Los Angeles’ street food is tasty, convenient, fast, affordable and, best of all, available to everyone. So, if your adventure in Los Angeles has you so excited you can’t sit still to eat a proper meal, roam the city pavement and sample the best of L.A’s street food scene. It will surely refuel you and propel you to your next destination.