Los Angeles City Guide: The Best Street Food Vendors

Growing up in Los Angeles and using their public transportation traveling all around the city, I had the opportunity to taste many of the foods our street vendors had to offer. From Echo Park to East Los Angeles to Hollywood to Downtown, there is something for everyone. Many of these vendors have been around for years and are a constant figure in the Los Angeles culture.

Rolling Street Vendors

• MacArthur Park - Wilshire and 7^th - This is one of the most popular places to buy tamales. Especially during the winter. You may even find a vendor selling Mexican hot chocolate, also known as, champurrado. Tamales usually sell anywhere between $1 and $2. Champurrado is $1.50.

• Echo Park - Vendors usually line up on all sides of the park. Other than finding tamales, you can also find vendors selling tacos. If you are looking for a treat, ask for Tacos Al Pastor. These are definitely the best and usually sell for around $3.

• Boyle Heights - Cesar E. Chavez and Soto Blvd. - Here you can find several vendors selling fresh fruit, fruit juices, snacks, Mexican Candy, and during the summer you will find someone selling the ever so delicious paletas, a creamy and fruity bar ice cream. Most of their items start at a dollar.

• Eagle Rock - Eagle Rock Blvd. & Ave. 34 - There are always several taco trucks there but there's one that stands out, Gorditas Lupitas. Their carnitas are to die for. If memory serves me correct, this truck has been around for a very long while. Their plates start at $5.

• Border Grill - That is name of the truck that roams the streets of Los Angeles. The gourmet taco truck whose tacos sell for $2 and are very favorable and tasty. You can follow them on twitter for updates as to where they will be. http://twitter.com/bordergrill

Stationery Standing Only Vendors

• Manny's El Tepeyac - 812 N. Evergreen Ave., Los Angeles, CA 90033 Open 7 days a week from 6 am - 10 pm. They have the absolute best burritos and the biggest! A Manny's Special will feed my four kids! Every time I go home, I ALWAYS stop at Manny's. Their prices are quite reasonable. There is nothing on the menu over $10.

• Original Tommy's Hamburgers - 2575 Beverly Blvd., Los Angeles, CA Open 24 hrs. 7 days a week. Here is my second stop. Nothing better than a huge chili burger from this place. Worth the wait if you must. A small burger begins at $1.75.

• King Taco - 4504 E. 3^rd St. Los Angeles, CA 90022 Open Sun - Wed from 7:30 am - 3:30 am and Thursday - Sat. 24 hrs. They have the best carne asada tacos and sopes. This is the place to be late at night. Their food is so good that you can smell it blocks away. Tacos start at $1.25.

• Pink's Hot Dogs - 709 North La Brea Ave., Hollywood, CA Open Sunday - Thursday 9:30 am - 2 am and Friday and Sat 9:30 - 3 am. This is the place for the best hot dogs in the world. This place is not only an icon of Hollywood but takes pride in their food. Nothing on their menu is over $8. This is a must for anyone visiting Los Angeles.

No matter where you go in this fabulous city there is always sure to be great food just around the corner. When its flavor and taste you want and you don't want to wait in a long line for hours, next time try one of these places that will sure have you wanting more.