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Pinches Tacos
Master Critic Reviews (6 Lists)
Pinches Tacos
8.0
Tucked just off the main Westwood drag, Pinches Tacos runs a casual counter-and-patio setup where combo plates of tacos, rice, and beans fuel long study nights. It leans into straightforward fillings and generous portions, making it a go-to for students and staff looking for a sit-down alternative to late-night chains.
Must-Try Dishes:
Shrimp Taco, Al Pastor Taco, Taco Pinche Combination Plate
Scores:
Value: 8.5
Service: 7.4
Consistency: 8.1
Food Quality: 8
Atmosphere: 6.2
Cultural Relevance: 7.8
What makes it special: A family-run taqueria with student-friendly combo plates and a relaxed patio.
Who should go: Budget-conscious diners wanting sit-down tacos near UCLA.
When to visit: Late evenings before closing for quieter, unhurried meals.
What to order: Shrimp and al pastor tacos, Taco Pinche combo with rice and beans.
Insider tip: Ask about student specials or combo deals to stretch your budget.
Logistics & Planning
Parking: Street parking on Broxton and nearby residential blocks; generally easier after 8pm though meters can be tight during UCLA peak hours.
Dress code: Casual and comfortable; come as you are for late-night tacos.
Noise level: Low to moderate — mostly counter chatter and patio conversations; easy to hold a discussion.
Weekend wait: 5–15 minutes depending on student rush and patio availability.
Weekday lunch: Typically no wait; quick counter service with open tables.
Dietary Options
Vegetarian options: Yes — multiple options including veggie tacos, bean-and-cheese plates, and sides.
Vegan options: Limited — bean tacos and some vegetable fillings can be adapted; confirm ingredients at the counter.
Gluten-free options: Moderate — corn tortillas available, but shared prep surfaces mean cross-contact is possible.
Good to Know
Is this good for a first date? Better for casual hangs than formal first dates; great if you want something inexpensive, unfussy, and walkable from UCLA.
Can I get a table without a reservation? Yes — it’s walk-in only with counter ordering, and turnover is quick even during peak student hours.
Is it kid-friendly? Yes — simple plates, mild options, and casual seating make it easy for families with younger kids, though the patio is best for strollers or groups.
Best For
Better for: More generous portions and better late-night seating than nearby fast-casual Mexican counters.
Skip if: You want chef-driven regional dishes, cocktails, or a polished dining room — this is a casual, no-frills spot.
Pinches Tacos
7.7
Tucked just off Glendon, this Bruin-run branch of Pinches Tacos serves combo plates and à la carte tacos with recipes drawn from the Anaya family’s longstanding taqueria legacy. Students and neighborhood regulars use it for early- and mid-evening taco runs when they want a sit-down plate instead of pure grab-and-go.
Must-Try Dishes:
Gringo Taco (shredded beef hard shell), Asada Taco, Pinche Combination Plate
Scores:
Value: 8.1
Service: 7.8
Consistency: 7.9
Food Quality: 8.2
Atmosphere: 6.2
Cultural Relevance: 7.6
What makes it special: Family-run Westwood staple offering flexible taco plates and student-friendly combos.
Who should go: Bruins and locals wanting relaxed sit-down tacos near campus.
When to visit: Early evenings before prime dinner rush fills the patio.
What to order: Gringo Taco, asada taco, Pinche Combination Plate.
Insider tip: Mention UCLA groups or events—staff are used to accommodating student meetups.
Logistics & Planning
Parking: Metered street parking on Glendon and Kinross is usually available before 7pm; after that it tightens. The Broxton public garage is the most reliable nearby option.
Dress code: Casual—students and locals in jeans, hoodies, and UCLA gear are the norm.
Noise level: Low to moderate; easy for normal conversation on the patio or inside.
Weekend wait: 10–20 minutes for patio tables; counter pickup is typically faster.
Weekday lunch: Generally no wait, with immediate counter service.
Dietary Options
Vegetarian options: Several options including mushroom tacos, veggie plates, and sides.
Vegan options: Limited—mushroom taco and a few sides can work, but customization is needed.
Gluten-free options: Some fillings are naturally gluten-free, but tortillas are not; corn options depend on availability and cross-contact should be expected.
Good to Know
Is this good for a first date? Better for relaxed, no-pressure hangouts than formal dates. Great if you want affordable tacos and an easy conversation setting.
Can I get a table without a reservation? Yes—it's counter-service with open seating. Patio tables fill during peak dinner hours but usually turn over quickly.
Is it kid-friendly? Yes for casual family stops. Simple taco plates, mild options, and quick service work well for kids 6+.
Best For
Better for: Sit-down combo plates and a calmer patio compared to ultra-busy late-night taco counters in Westwood.
Skip if: You want specialty salsas, extensive regional dishes, or vegan-heavy menus—other Westwood spots handle those better.
Pinches Tacos
8.2
Vibes:
Cheap Eats Budget Brilliance
Comfort Food Classics
Hidden Gems Heaven
Group Dining Gatherings
Family-run Pinches Tacos brings homestyle recipes and handmade tortillas to a compact Glendon Avenue space just off the main village drag. Open since 2016 as part of a small local group, it leans on mix-and-match tacos and combo plates that feel like a proper sit-down meal without losing the budget-friendly spirit.
Must-Try Dishes:
Asada Taco, Taco Pinche Combination Plate, Camaron Taco
Scores:
Value: 8.6
Service: 8
Consistency: 8.5
Food Quality: 8.7
Atmosphere: 6.5
Cultural Relevance: 8.3
What makes it special: Family-owned taqueria with handmade tortillas and hearty combo plates.
Who should go: Budget-conscious diners wanting sit-down tacos near UCLA.
When to visit: Weeknights at dinner when patio is lively but manageable.
What to order: Asada taco, Taco Pinche combo plate, camaron taco.
Insider tip: Ask for extra house salsas and build a custom taco platter.
Logistics & Planning
Parking: Street parking on Glendon and adjacent residential blocks is the primary option; meters run late and can be tight during peak UCLA hours.
Dress code: Casual and comfortable; students and locals come as they are.
Noise level: Moderate—active patio chatter but still workable for conversation.
Weekend wait: 15–25 minutes depending on game days and campus events.
Weekday lunch: Usually no wait, with fast turnover at the counter.
Dietary Options
Vegetarian options: Yes—vegetarian tacos, quesadillas, and sides are available.
Vegan options: Limited—some veggie fillings can be made vegan by skipping cheese and crema.
Gluten-free options: Partial—corn tortillas are naturally gluten-free, but no fully dedicated prep space.
Good to Know
Is this good for a first date? Good for a casual first date if you want something relaxed, quick, and unfussy—less ideal for dressy or high-romance outings.
Can I get a table without a reservation? Yes—it's walk-in only, and tables turn quickly, especially on weeknights.
Is it kid-friendly? Yes—simple plates, mild salsas, and quick service make it easy for families with kids aged 5 and up.
Best For
Better for: Stronger for casual sit-down tacos, generous combo plates, and solid value compared to pricier sit-down Mexican spots in Westwood.
Skip if: Look elsewhere if you want upscale cocktails, a quieter dining room, or broad regional Mexican specialties.
Pinches Tacos
8.4
Just off Glendon in Westwood Village, Pinches Tacos runs a full taqueria menu where hefty burritos share space with a long list of tacos and combination plates. Portions are big, flavors lean traditional, and the space works as well for a quick solo fix as it does for groups splitting chips and plates.
Must-Try Dishes:
Asada Burrito, Pollo Burrito, Breakfast Burrito
Scores:
Value: 8.2
Service: 7.8
Consistency: 8.6
Food Quality: 8.8
Atmosphere: 6.7
Cultural Relevance: 8.2
What makes it special: All-purpose taqueria with classic rice-and-beans burritos and late-running hours.
Who should go: Students and locals wanting sit-down burritos and tacos.
When to visit: Early dinner or late evening to dodge peak lunch crush.
What to order: Asada Burrito, Pollo Burrito, chips with salsa trio.
Insider tip: Customize heat by asking for salsas on the side instead of inside.
Logistics & Planning
Parking: Village garage parking on Broxton is the most reliable; limited metered street spots on Glendon and Weyburn fill quickly, especially evenings.
Dress code: Casual and relaxed; anything from shorts to jeans and a hoodie fits in.
Noise level: Moderate; conversational but with steady taqueria bustle, especially during student rushes.
Weekend wait: 10–20 minutes during peak UCLA evenings, slightly longer if ordering for a group.
Weekday lunch: Typically minimal wait; 5–10 minutes for counter ordering.
Dietary Options
Vegetarian options: Yes—several vegetarian tacos and burritos with beans, rice, and veggie fillings.
Vegan options: Limited—bean and veggie combinations can be made vegan by omitting cheese and crema; confirm salsa ingredients.
Gluten-free options: Corn tortillas available for gluten-sensitive diners, but the kitchen does not maintain a dedicated gluten-free prep area.
Good to Know
Is this good for a first date? Better for casual hangs than formal dates; the vibe is friendly and unpretentious but not particularly intimate.
Can I get a table without a reservation? Yes—it's a counter-service taqueria with open seating; tables turn quickly even at peak times.
Is it kid-friendly? Yes—simple plates, mild salsas on request, and quick service work well for families with kids 6 and up.
Best For
Better for: Heartier, traditional-style burritos and group-friendly combo plates compared to trendier Westwood taco shops.
Skip if: You want gourmet-level tacos, a quieter sit-down dinner, or dedicated vegan or gluten-free preparation.
Pinches Tacos
7.8
Vibes:
Comfort Food Classics
Group Dining Gatherings
Quick Bites Champions
Family Friendly Favorites
Pinches Tacos is a casual Glendon Avenue taqueria with a shaded patio, house-made tortillas, and a broad lineup of meats and vegetarian fillings. It functions as a reliable all-purpose taco spot where students and nearby workers mix plates of fish, lengua, and veggie tacos with aguas frescas.
Must-Try Dishes:
Fish tacos, Carne asada tacos, Nopales tacos
Scores:
Value: 8.4
Service: 7.8
Consistency: 8.1
Food Quality: 8.2
Atmosphere: 6.2
Cultural Relevance: 7.7
What makes it special: Neighborhood taqueria with handmade tortillas and a wide mix of classic fillings.
Who should go: Groups wanting varied tacos and casual patio seating.
When to visit: Afternoons and early evenings for easier patio tables.
What to order: Fish, carne asada, and nopales tacos.
Insider tip: Ask about student combos or daily specials to stretch your budget.
Logistics & Planning
Parking: Metered street parking on Glendon and nearby Village streets; spots open up more easily before dinner service. Broxton public garage is the most reliable paid option.
Dress code: Casual and relaxed—students and locals in everyday wear are the norm.
Noise level: Moderate during peak hours; easy conversation on the patio, slightly louder indoors.
Weekend wait: 10–20 minutes depending on patio demand.
Weekday lunch: Generally no wait aside from brief student rushes.
Dietary Options
Vegetarian options: Yes—multiple options including nopales and veggie fillings.
Vegan options: Limited but workable—order veggie tacos without cheese or crema.
Gluten-free options: Corn tortillas are naturally gluten-free, though the kitchen does not operate a fully separate prep area.
Good to Know
Is this good for a first date? It works for a casual daytime meet-up or low-key evening, especially on the patio, but it’s not a romantic setting—more relaxed and functional.
Can I get a table without a reservation? Yes—it's counter-service with open seating. Patio tables fill during peak hours, but turnover is steady.
Is it kid-friendly? Yes—family-friendly with simple taco options, outdoor seating, and a laid-back atmosphere suitable for all ages.
Best For
Better for: Large groups or mixed dietary needs thanks to its wide range of fillings and easy patio seating.
Skip if: You want high-end tacos, chef-driven flavor profiles, or a more polished dining experience.
Pinches Tacos
7.7
Vibes:
Cheap Eats Budget Brilliance
Quick Bites Champions
Comfort Food Classics
Solo Dining Sanctuaries
Pinches Tacos is a casual taqueria where Westwood regulars line up for hefty tacos, burritos, and combo plates built on house-seasoned meats. Portions lean generous, making it a reliable stop for quick lunches or low-key dinners before and after movies or campus events.
Must-Try Dishes:
Al Pastor Taco, Asada Burrito, Pinche Combination Plate
Scores:
Value: 8.4
Service: 7.8
Consistency: 7.7
Food Quality: 8.1
Atmosphere: 6.2
Cultural Relevance: 7.6
What makes it special: Student-friendly tacos and burritos with larger portions and late hours.
Who should go: Hungry diners wanting filling tacos near the Village.
When to visit: Lunch or early dinner before peak movie-night rush.
What to order: Al Pastor Taco, Asada Burrito, Pinche Combination Plate.
Insider tip: Split a combo plate if you want room for late desserts.
Logistics & Planning
Parking: Limited metered street parking in Westwood Village; best luck on Broxton or side streets. Garages on Broxton and Gayley offer paid public parking.
Dress code: Casual and relaxed; campus wear, hoodies, and jeans are all normal.
Noise level: Moderate during peak hours; quieter in off-peak windows. Easy for solo diners to hear themselves think.
Weekend wait: 10–20 minutes during movie-night rush, mostly due to to-go orders.
Weekday lunch: Generally no wait except for short lines during UCLA class breaks.
Dietary Options
Vegetarian options: Good selection—veggie tacos, bean-and-cheese burritos, and customizable plates.
Vegan options: Limited but workable—beans, rice, and veggie tacos can be modified; check ingredients for dairy.
Gluten-free options: Corn tortillas available; cross-contact possible due to shared prep surfaces.
Good to Know
Is this good for a first date? Better for casual meetups than formal dates. It works if you want something low-key, fast, and unfussy before catching a movie.
Can I get a table without a reservation? Yes—there are no reservations. Most visits rely on quick counter service and open seating.
Is it kid-friendly? Yes for older kids who like tacos and burritos. Limited space and no dedicated kids’ menu, but portions are easy to share.
Best For
Better for: Large, filling portions and quick service at lower prices compared to trendier Westwood taquerias.
Skip if: You want elevated regional Mexican cooking, an extensive bar program, or a quieter sit-down meal.