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Mariella's Tacos
Master Critic Reviews (4 Lists)
Mariella's Tacos
8.5
Mariella’s is a late-night taco truck institution near LAX, incorporated in 2020 and now famous with locals for generously stuffed burritos and street-style tacos running until 3 a.m. Burrito supremes come loaded with meats like carne asada or marinated pork, plus rice, beans, and salsas that hit harder than the setting might suggest.
Must-Try Dishes:
Burrito Supreme, Cabeza Burrito, Carne Asada Street Tacos
Scores:
Value: 9
Service: 7.8
Consistency: 8.7
Food Quality: 8.6
Atmosphere: 6.3
Cultural Relevance: 8.4
What makes it special: A late-night burrito truck with huge portions and a devoted airport-adjacent following.
Who should go: Night-shift workers, travelers, and serious taco-and-burrito fans.
When to visit: After midnight on weekends when the line gets lively.
What to order: Cabeza burrito, burrito supreme, carne asada tacos with extra salsa.
Insider tip: Bring cash as backup and be ready to eat standing at your car or curbside.
Logistics & Planning
Parking: Street parking along side roads is usually available, but spots can be tight after midnight when the crowd picks up. No dedicated lot.
Dress code: Totally casual — hoodies, airport sweats, and late-night loungewear all fit right in.
Noise level: Low to moderate; it's an outdoor truck setup, so you’ll hear traffic and chatter but can still hold a conversation.
Weekend wait: 10–20 minutes, but midnight rushes can stretch to 25–30 minutes.
Weekday lunch: Usually no wait since service is geared toward quick grab-and-go.
Dietary Options
Vegetarian options: Yes — bean-and-cheese burritos, veggie tacos, and customizable orders with grilled veggies.
Vegan options: Limited — can request no cheese/sour cream on veggie items, but options are basic.
Gluten-free options: Partially — corn tortillas are gluten-free, but cross-contamination is likely due to the open grill setup.
Good to Know
Is this good for a first date? Only if you’re both into casual, street-food energy. It’s more charming-scrappy than romantic, but great for a low-pressure, fun meetup.
Can I get a table without a reservation? Yes — there are no tables or reservations. Expect to eat standing, at your car, or take your food to go.
Is it kid-friendly? Reasonably — the food is approachable and mild salsas are available, but it’s curbside dining with no seating, so better for older kids who don’t need high chairs or a contained space.
Best For
Better for: Massive burritos, late-night reliability, fast service, and wallet-friendly portions near the airport.
Skip if: You want sit-down comfort, a quieter environment, or a wide selection of vegan/gluten-sensitive dishes.
Mariella's Tacos
8.5
A no-frills late-night taco stand near LAX, Mariella's turns out meaty street-style tacos, burritos, and tamales well past last call. With hours stretching to around 3:30am and more than a thousand aggregated reviews praising the flavor and value, it’s a go-to for airport workers and night owls alike.【3†turn3search5】【3†turn3search16】
Must-Try Dishes:
Carne asada burrito, Tripas taco, Chicken tamale
Scores:
Value: 9.4
Service: 7.8
Consistency: 8.7
Food Quality: 8.9
Atmosphere: 6.2
Cultural Relevance: 8.5
What makes it special: A true late-night taco cart serving until the early morning.
Who should go: Taco obsessives craving street-style bites near LAX.
When to visit: After midnight or post-flight, especially weekends.
What to order: Tripas taco, carne asada burrito, chicken tamale.
Insider tip: Cash is king; expect a simple setup and curbside eating.
Logistics & Planning
Parking: Street parking is usually available along nearby blocks, but spots can be limited late at night; no dedicated lot or valet.
Dress code: Completely casual—hoodies, tees, and post-flight comfy wear are the norm.
Noise level: Low to moderate—it's an outdoor stand near a busy street, but conversation is easy.
Weekend wait: 10–20 minutes depending on the rush, especially after midnight.
Weekday lunch: Typically no wait since foot traffic is light during daytime hours.
Dietary Options
Vegetarian options: Limited—expect basic options like bean and cheese burritos or cheese-only quesadillas.
Vegan options: Very limited—no dedicated vegan proteins; possible to customize with beans and veggies if available.
Gluten-free options: Corn tortillas are naturally gluten-free, but there's no separate prep area, so cross-contact is possible.
Good to Know
Is this good for a first date? Only if your date loves low-key street food adventures—it's casual, quick, and delicious but not romantic or seated.
Can I get a table without a reservation? There are no tables or reservations—expect curbside eating or takeout from the walk-up stand.
Is it kid-friendly? Kid-friendly for quick bites, but it's a street-side stand with limited seating and late-night crowds; best for older kids comfortable eating on the go.
Best For
Better for: Late-night cravings, fast service, and flavor-packed street-style tacos at budget prices.
Skip if: You want indoor seating, a full menu with robust dietary accommodations, or a quieter sit-down experience.
Mariella's Tacos
8.7
Late-night street tacos near LAX, Mariella’s draws a steady crowd of airport workers and locals for heady carne asada, birria and overstuffed burritos served from a no-frills truck. Handmade tortillas, generous toppings, and long hours make it one of Westchester’s go-to cheap taco stops when everything else is closed.
Must-Try Dishes:
Carne asada tacos, Quesabirria with consomé, California burrito
Scores:
Value: 9.1
Service: 7.9
Consistency: 8.6
Food Quality: 8.8
Atmosphere: 6.7
Cultural Relevance: 8.4
What makes it special: A true late-night taco truck workhorse just minutes from LAX.
Who should go: Night owls and airport workers craving real street tacos.
When to visit: After midnight on weekends when other kitchens close.
What to order: Carne asada tacos, quesabirria with consomé, asada fries.
Insider tip: Bring cash and order extra salsa—heat levels run serious here.
Logistics & Planning
Parking: Street parking along busy stretches of Westchester Pkwy—usually easy late at night but can be tight during airport shift changes.
Dress code: Ultra-casual—hoodies, travel clothes, and work uniforms all blend in.
Noise level: Low to moderate; it’s an outdoor truck, so expect street noise but easy conversation.
Weekend wait: 10–20 minutes, longer (up to 30) after midnight when airport crews swing by.
Weekday lunch: Usually no wait; you’ll be in and out.
Dietary Options
Vegetarian options: A few options like bean-and-cheese burritos or veggie quesadillas, though it’s not a vegetarian-focused menu.
Vegan options: Very limited—ask for veggie tacos without cheese or crema, but offerings are minimal.
Gluten-free options: Corn tortillas are naturally gluten-free, but no dedicated prep area, so cross-contact is possible.
Good to Know
Is this good for a first date? Only if your date loves casual, no-frills taco truck vibes. It’s fun and flavorful, but not romantic—more about late-night spontaneity than ambiance.
Can I get a table without a reservation? Yes—there are no reservations and usually no tables. Expect standing counters or eating in your car; arrive ready for a quick, casual stop.
Is it kid-friendly? Kid-okay, not kid-focused. Outdoor ordering and limited seating may be tricky for toddlers, but older kids who love tacos will be happy.
Best For
Better for: Late-night reliability, handmade tortillas, and hearty portions at true budget prices—especially compared to trendier taco spots nearby.
Skip if: You want sit-down comfort, a broad vegan menu, or a quieter, more polished dining environment.
Mariella's Tacos
8.2
Mariella’s is a late-night Westchester taco stand that has built a big following for no-frills, freshly griddled street tacos near LAX. It’s more curbside hangout than bar, but for off-hours “happy hour” tacos after a flight or service shift, it’s one of the most dependable street options in 90045.
Must-Try Dishes:
Marinated pork (al pastor) tacos, Carne asada street tacos, Burrito supreme with carne asada
Scores:
Value: 8.7
Service: 8
Consistency: 8.6
Food Quality: 8.7
Atmosphere: 6.2
Cultural Relevance: 8.4
What makes it special: A busy curbside taco operation that turns late-night hunger into a mini street-food party.
Who should go: Night-shift workers, red-eye travelers, and street-taco obsessives.
When to visit: Late night after 9pm when the grill and crowd are humming.
What to order: Al pastor tacos, carne asada street tacos, burrito supreme.
Insider tip: Bring cash as backup and be ready to eat standing at your car or the sidewalk curb.
Logistics & Planning
Parking: Street parking along the surrounding blocks is usually available, though it can be tight after 9pm. No lot or valet—expect to park curbside and walk a minute or two.
Dress code: Totally casual. Hoodies, airport sweats, service-shift uniforms—anything goes.
Noise level: Moderate to lively. It’s outdoors by a busy street, so conversation is doable but expect grill sizzle, music from nearby cars, and general curbside energy.
Weekend wait: 10–20 minutes during the late-night rush, especially after midnight.
Weekday lunch: Typically no wait, though the stand isn’t as active before evening hours.
Dietary Options
Vegetarian options: Limited but workable—bean-and-cheese burritos, cheese quesadillas, and sometimes grilled veggie tacos depending on the day.
Vegan options: Very limited—bean tacos or burritos without cheese/sour cream are usually the go-to. No dedicated vegan substitutes.
Gluten-free options: Corn tortillas are naturally gluten-free, but there’s no separate prep area, so cross-contamination is possible.
Good to Know
Is this good for a first date? Only if your date vibes with ultra-casual street food. It’s curbside, quick, and delicious—but not romantic. Great for a spontaneous, low-pressure bite.
Can I get a table without a reservation? There are no tables and no reservations. Expect to eat standing, at your car, or perched on the curb like a true late-night pro.
Is it kid-friendly? Yes for quick, casual eats—kids who like simple tacos or quesadillas will be fine. Just note the street setting, lack of seating, and late-night crowds may be less ideal for very young children.
Best For
Better for: Late-night taco cravings, quick post-flight meals, and budget-friendly street tacos that beat most sit-down spots on flavor-to-price ratio.
Skip if: You want sit-down comfort, margaritas, indoor seating, or a slow, hangout-style meal—other full-service Mexican restaurants in the area will serve you better.