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Best Tacos in Los Angeles
Best Late Night Restaurants in Los Angeles
Best Cheap Eats in Los Angeles
Best Cheap Mexican Food in Los Angeles
Best Cheap Tacos in Los Angeles
Best Mexican in Los Angeles
Master Critic Review
Cactus Taqueria #1
7.7
A cash-only Vine Street taco stand where the carne asada pulls a dedicated late-night crowd that treats the strip-mall parking lot like a communal dining room. The menu stays tight — tacos, nachos, horchata — and the prices stay low enough that you order extra without thinking about it. It delivers on speed and flavor for the post-midnight window when most kitchens are already closed.
Must-Try Dishes:
Carne Asada, Nachos, Fish Tacos
Scores:
Value: 8
Service: 7.5
Consistency: 7.5
Food Quality: 8
Atmosphere: 7
Cultural Relevance: 7.5
What makes it special: Cash-friendly, no-frills taqueria on Vine where the carne asada has earned a near-cult following with late-night crowds.
Who should go: Late-night eaters and budget-conscious taco loyalists
When to visit: Late night after nearby Hollywood shows let out
What to order: Lead with the carne asada — it's the runaway favorite — add nachos to share, and finish with a horchata to cool down.
Insider tip: Bring cash; the line moves faster and you'll avoid any card-minimum hassle.
Logistics & Planning
Parking: It's a taco stand in a strip-mall parking lot — you park right where you eat. Lot spaces are limited and shared with other businesses, so street parking may be needed during peak hours.
Dress code: It's a walk-up taco stand in a parking lot with outdoor picnic-style seating — wear whatever you want. Flip-flops and gym clothes fit right in.
Weekend wait: Expect a line, especially Friday and Saturday nights when the late-night crowd arrives — but the line moves fast since it's counter service.
Weekday lunch: Heavy lunch crowd from noon to 1pm with lines. Off-peak afternoon visits have little to no wait.
Dietary Options
Vegetarian options: Dedicated vegetarian section on the menu: veggie tacos, veggie burritos, veggie quesadillas, veggie mulitas, veggie tortas, and veggie tostadas.
Good to Know
Is this good for a first date? No — this is a tiny taco hut in a parking lot with about half a dozen outdoor tables and a counter-service setup. There's no intimate ambiance, no table service, and most people grab their food to go. It's a fantastic spot for a casual late-night hangout after a date, but not the date itself.
Can I get a table without a reservation? Yes — walk-in only, no reservations accepted. You order at the counter and grab an open table. Expect a line during peak late-night hours and weekends, but turnover is fast since most people take their orders to go. Weekday afternoons you'll have no wait.
Is it kid-friendly? Yes for daytime visits — the casual outdoor setup and simple taco-and-burrito menu works well for kids who aren't picky. No dedicated kids menu, but portions are affordable and shareable. Stick to earlier hours; the late-night crowd skews toward the bar-hopping scene and isn't ideal for little ones.
Is it good for groups? Difficult — there are only about six outdoor tables at this small parking-lot stand, and seating is first-come, first-served. A group of 4 could make it work, but anything larger and you'll struggle to sit together. Better for groups who don't mind standing or eating in the car. No private dining options.
Is there outdoor seating? Yes — roughly half a dozen tables outside the Fanta-colored hut, with a self-serve salsa and sides counter nearby. No cover or heating — it's open-air parking lot seating. Fine for LA's mild weather most of the year, but no protection from sun or the occasional rain.
Best For
Better for: A fast, cheap, cash-only taco run after midnight — open until 4am on weekends with counter service that keeps the line moving. Ideal when you want quality street tacos without sitting down.
Consider Alternatives If: You want a sit-down meal with table service — there are only a half-dozen outdoor tables and most people take their food to go.
Hours
Monday8am - 10pm
Tuesday8am - 10pm
Wednesday8am - 10pm
Thursday8am - 10pm
Friday8am - 11pm
Saturday8am - 11pm
Sunday8am - 11pm