Street vendors have been a big thing in Los Angeles for many years, but with the advent of Roy Choi’s Kogi Truck in 2008, the food truck craze really took off. According to Thrillist, this gourmet food truck kick-started other trucks to pop up throughout the city and create their own street food specialties. Nearly a decade later, there are gourmet egg trucks, lobster trucks, dessert trucks, Guatemalan hot dog trucks, you name it.

Go to any event, festival, or celebration and you’ll likely see a whole line of food trucks waiting to serve customers authentic, delicious, and cheap street food. However, for those who are wondering which LA neighborhoods are regularly filled with food trucks throughout the week, check out this list below.

Downtown

Photo courtesy of Milk+T

A busy metropolitan filled with everyone from corporate professionals and entrepreneurs to students and out-of-towners, Downtown Los Angeles is a food truck mecca. Even if you don’t have a specific address in mind, you can easily find a truck from simply walking around the Arts District or Financial District. The city also regularly holds food truck events every Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday at Grand Park’s Marketplace and Olive Court. Popular trucks in the area include Milk+T, Waffles de Liege, Steamy Bun Truck, and Baffo Street Food.

Hollywood

Photo courtesy of Street Kitchen

Home of tourist attractions and stars, Hollywood is a cultural hub of activity, especially when it comes to its dining scene. The neighborhood is not only centrally located between diverse areas such as Thai Town and Koreatown, but also attracts a wide variety of people to the famous Walk of Fame, which sits in the middle of Hollywood. Many food trucks are within walking distance between Hollywood and Sunset Boulevard along Vine Street.

Popular trucks in this entertainment-friendly neighborhood include El Flamin’ Taco, Street Kitchen, Leo’s Taco Truck, and Super Smash Buns. 

Mid-Wilshire

Photo courtesy of El Chato Taco Truck

Whether they’re commuting home from work or heading out from the bar, Los Angeles locals regularly drive through the Mid-Wilshire neighborhood to reach the main freeways. While driving along La Brea, it’s actually very easy to find food trucks parked at an empty lot nearby a popular gas station. Some of the best food trucks in the city even visit the LACMA area in Miracle Mile on a daily basis – check out the schedule here.

Popular food trucks in the central neighborhood include El Chato Taco Truck, Huitlacoche, Billionaire Burger Boyz, and Ta Bom Truck.

Boyle Heights

Photo courtesy of Mariscos Jalisco

The food truck scene in Boyle Heights, a community that’s currently in a development flux, is not just growing, it’s thriving. This neighborhood has become a hot spot for the city’s up-and-coming food trucks, attracting customers with ceviche tacos and sushi burritos.

Boyle Heights is where food truck successes like Mariscos Jalisco and Guisados all began. If you’re looking for the latest delicious food vendor selling their dishes for a very affordable price, head towards Olympic or Whittier Boulevard. Popular food trucks in the neighborhood include KimBob-Rex, Carnitas El Momo, and Tacos y Birria La Unica.

Santa Monica

Photo courtesy of Kogi

There are food trucks everywhere in Santa Monica and the beach city regularly hosts a number of food truck lots around Main Street and the 3rd Street Promenade. The food truck selection in Santa Monica is truly a force to be reckoned with, offering visitors a diverse array of gourmet cuisine ranging from ramen and seafood to pita bowls and Tex-Mex. Another interesting fact about many of the food trucks in Santa Monica is that there’s also a huge focus on health-conscious street food, such as tofu tacos and gluten-free burgers.

Popular street trucks in the oceanside town include the Kogi, Batterfish, Bowled & Beautiful, and Tacos Tuzo.

North Hollywood

Photo courtesy of Tacos El Venado

North Hollywood is a playground for performance artists and studio people, but it’s also a booming neighborhood when it comes to culinary exploration. Head towards the outer edges of NoHo and the Arts District, and you can find plenty of high-quality food trucks. Every Thursday from 5:30 to 9 p.m., the city hosts its Food Truck Collective at NoHo Park, where residents and visitors alike can enjoy great music, games, and a different selection of food trucks every week.

Popular food trucks in this community include Tacos El Venado, Burnt to a Crisp, and El Gordo Taco Truck.