Valley Munchies: Street Vendors Edition
Support your local street vendors! They are our neighbors. Son lxs chefs del barrio. Local business owners feeding their community... Most taco stands and food trucks are run by immigrants. It takes a lot of money to be able to open your own restaurant, but a food truck costs less to rent and maintain, and it’s perhaps all a business owner needs. A mobile kitchen area to simply prepare the food and hand it away for people to enjoy. I say this because as simple as it sounds there are NIMBYS that cannot live with this and take every chance to destroy the livelihood of people. Whatever change will always pose a threat to people like this. But, if the food is good there will always be people lining up outside of the truck. We present you with a brief guide to some of our favorite food trucks in the 818 that will satiate your munchies. From Tacos to Burgers, Sushi, Pizza, and Fried Vegan Chicken take your pick before you end the night.
Tacos El Sabrosito & Katrinas Tacos
Location: Sepulveda/Nordhoff blvd.
Just like it sounds, El Sabrosito surely makes some tasty tacos. Find the baby-blue truck along Nordhoff Boulevard with the classic neon marquees announcing Tacos, Tortas, Mulitas, Alambres, y mucho más. Set up right next to the Mobile gas station and in front of the Stinkin Crawfish. We recommend tacos de al pastor, suadero, quesadillas de asada, y una gringa.
Katrinas Tacos are set up on the other side of the gas station along Sepulveda blvd. Their tortillas are hand made which give a pleasant twist to the eating experience. Recommend it if you’re looking for that quality hecha a mano. Follow them on IG @katrinastacos
Tacos El Venado
Locations:
11702 Victory Blvd., North Hollywood
6315 Sepulveda Blvd., Van Nuys
Like all great taco stands this spot is an all-time favorite. There’s no one that will prepare you the biggest loaded potato with meat and cheese that you can find for just 11 bucks. Not bad for a plate that will leave you with leftovers for when you get the munchies the next day.
Follow them on IG @tacoselvenado.
Merari’s Burgers
Location: Van Nuys/Plummer st.
Set up right next to the liquor store, a quick beer run can turn into a second late night snack. Merari cooks cheeseburgers, salchiburgers (sausage), hawaiian burgers, hot dogs, and fries. Careful if you order it con chile because it has more than a kick, but it’s a solid sauce, asking for it on the side is your best bet. The cool thing is that you can pay via zelle if you don’t have cash so there’s no excuse here not to hit up this spot. Also, check out the Crepes & Buffalo Wings from the vendor right next to Merari!
Sur Sushi
Locations:
Food truck: Plummer/Colombus St.
Restaurant: 14650 Pathenia St.
The only food truck in the area lit up by a red neon SUSHI lettering. The OG location of this spot is actually a restaurant inside the second floor of the Panorama City Swap Meet. In the night time they set up right along Plummer Street, across from Sepulveda middle school. Here you’ll find the Pacoima Roll, Valley Roll, and the Sur Sushi on Fire roll that is a burrito-sized wrap. Follow them on IG @sursushifoodtruck
Lettuce Feast
Locations:
17141 Norhoff St, Northridge. (Wednesdays)
5301 Tujunga Ave, North Hollywood. (Sundays)
More than lettuce, it is vegan fried chicken feast. If you hit up this food truck after a busy workday or on a Sunday night at peak munchies hours before the weekend is gone it will surely hit the spot. You can order through their website or walk ups; whether it’s the OG Sando, Psychedelic Sando, or the Tender Combo, they all have the right balance of crunchiness and tenderness that make for a tasty bite. On other days of the week you can find the truck in various areas across L.A. Vegan or not, this wanna-be chicken is for everyone to enjoy. Don’t forget to add the secret sauce!
Cosecha Woodfire Pizza
Location: 6610 Laurel Canyon Blvd., North Hollywood.
Good pizza is hard to come by, but you’re lucky there’s Cosecha. Set up in front of the Bank of america parking lot by 3 pm the pizza oven is already melting cheesy white spinach pizzas, Margheritas, Bee-Stings and Proscuito for the fancy taste buds. Served with a slightly burned sourdough crust, oil toppings and peppers, pair it with your favorite wine bottle for a delicious combination. Though they are on the pricey side, they are worth every cent. They’re there every day 3 - 10 pm! Give em a call, and follow them on IG @cosecha_wood_fired_pizza.
