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El Flamin Taco
Master Critic Reviews (3 Lists)
El Flamin Taco
8.3
Vibes:
Late Night Legends
Cheap Eats Budget Brilliance
Quick Bites Champions
Instagram Worthy Wonders
Bright red food truck with neon signage serving al pastor from a flaming trompo alongside extensive meat and vegetarian options. Open late for the Echo Park crowd, with fresh toppings including pico de gallo, pickled onions, and multiple house-made salsas that complement their tender, well-seasoned proteins.
Must-Try Dishes:
Al Pastor Taco, Chicharron Taco, California Burrito
Scores:
Value: 8.9
Service: 8.1
Consistency: 8.3
Food Quality: 8.5
Atmosphere: 7.2
Cultural Relevance: 8
What makes it special: Spinning al pastor trompo and extensive vegetarian menu for diverse crowds
Who should go: Late-night diners and vegetarians seeking authentic street tacos
When to visit: Evening after 7pm through early morning hours
What to order: Al pastor from the trompo, flor de calabaza, chicharron tacos
Insider tip: The neon 'Open' sign visible from blocks away guides you in
Logistics & Planning
Parking: Street parking on Sunset Blvd or residential side streets - typically spots available within a block. No dedicated lot.
Dress code: Ultra casual - anything goes. Most people in jeans, hoodies, or whatever they wore all day.
Noise level: Loud street environment - traffic noise and music from the truck. Not ideal for deep conversation.
Weekend wait: 10-15 min wait in line, typical for popular taco trucks on Friday/Saturday nights
Weekday lunch: 5-10 min wait, quick turnover for lunch rush
Dietary Options
Vegetarian options: Yes - excellent options including flor de calabaza, nopales, beans, and veggie-loaded combinations
Vegan options: Yes - most vegetarian tacos can be made vegan by requesting no cheese or crema
Gluten-free options: Corn tortillas standard - naturally gluten-free. No separate prep area but minimal cross-contamination risk.
Good to Know
Is this good for a first date? Only if you both have a sense of humor and adventure. It's street food eaten standing up in a parking lot - great for casual, low-pressure vibes but not romantic in the traditional sense. Better for second or third dates when you're more comfortable.
Can I get a table without a reservation? This is a food truck - there are no tables or reservations. You order at the window, wait for your number to be called, then eat standing at the sidewalk counter or take it to go.
Is it kid-friendly? Yes for ages 8+ who can handle some spice and standing/eating informally. The late-night scene (after 10pm) skews adult with bar crowds, so earlier evening hours (7-9pm) are better for families.
Best For
Better for: El Flamin excels at late-night cravings with their extended hours and al pastor spectacle. The vegetarian selection outshines most taco trucks, and the price-to-quality ratio is exceptional. Choose this over sit-down taquerias when you want authentic street food without the markup or when you need something substantial after midnight.
Skip if: You want a sit-down meal with table service, need a quiet environment for conversation, or prefer a more polished dining experience. Also skip if the weather is bad - there's minimal covered seating. For special occasions or impressing out-of-town guests who expect ambiance, choose a brick-and-mortar restaurant instead.
El Flamin Taco
8.1
Vibes:
Late Night Legends
Quick Bites Champions
Cheap Eats Budget Brilliance
Family Friendly Favorites
The bright red truck with flashing neon draws late-night crowds with its trompo-spinning al pastor and extensive meat selection including traditional offal options. Open until 3-4am on weekends, it serves both carnivores and vegetarians with mushrooms, flor de calabaza, and huitlacoche that satisfy post-bar cravings.
Must-Try Dishes:
Al Pastor Taco, Chorizo Quesadilla, California Burrito
Scores:
Value: 8.7
Service: 8.3
Consistency: 7.8
Food Quality: 8
Atmosphere: 8.2
Cultural Relevance: 7.6
What makes it special: Only truck with spinning trompo al pastor open until 4am
Who should go: Post-event crowds, al pastor devotees, vegetarians
When to visit: After midnight Friday-Saturday for peak trompo freshness
What to order: Al pastor when trompo is spinning, chorizo quesadilla, veggie burrito
Insider tip: The spicy green avocado salsa is legendary among regulars
Logistics & Planning
Parking: Street parking only - metered until 8pm, free after. Spots available but expect to circle once or twice on weekends
Dress code: Whatever you're wearing post-bar - jeans, shorts, athleisure all welcome
Noise level: Loud street scene - music from truck, traffic, crowd chatter. Order-and-eat, not conversation spot
Weekend wait: 5-10 min line typical, 15-20 min after bars close (1-2am)
Weekday lunch: Closed - only operates evenings/late night
Dietary Options
Vegetarian options: Yes - mushrooms, flor de calabaza, huitlacoche, beans, cheese options across tacos and burritos
Vegan options: Limited - vegetable fillings available but ask about lard in beans and dairy-free prep
Gluten-free options: Corn tortillas standard for tacos, but cross-contamination likely on shared truck griddle
Good to Know
Is this good for a first date? Only if you've already been to a bar or show together and want authentic late-night tacos. Not a sit-down conversation spot - sidewalk eating only.
Can I get a table without a reservation? No tables - this is a food truck with sidewalk/car eating. No reservations needed, just join the line.
Is it kid-friendly? Not ideal - operates late night (9pm-4am) when kids should be sleeping. If bringing teens, fine for quick weekend dinner before midnight.
How late are they really open? Officially 3am Thu-Sat, 2am Sun-Wed, but they'll serve until meat runs out. Arrive before 2:30am weekends to guarantee full menu.
Do they take cards? Cash preferred but cards accepted. Bring cash for faster service when line is long.
El Flamin Taco
7.9
Late-night Echo Park taco truck known for flame-grilled al pastor and California burritos. Operating until 3am on weekends, this popular spot serves generous portions on flour tortillas with signature spicy avocado sauce that draws the after-hours crowd.
Must-Try Dishes:
Al Pastor Taco, California Burrito, Chorizo Quesadilla
Scores:
Value: 8.7
Service: 7.8
Consistency: 7.8
Food Quality: 8.2
Atmosphere: 6.5
Cultural Relevance: 7.9
What makes it special: Operating flame-grilled spit for authentic al pastor
Who should go: Late-night crowds seeking post-bar sustenance
When to visit: Friday-Saturday after midnight for peak vibe
What to order: Al pastor when spit is running, California burrito
Insider tip: Closed Mondays; bring cash for faster service
Logistics & Planning
Parking: Street parking only - competitive but available within 1-2 blocks. Free after 8pm on Sunset Blvd.
Dress code: Come as you are - athleisure, club wear, work clothes all standard
Noise level: Moderate outdoor ambient - easy conversation at picnic tables
Weekend wait: 10-15 min line typical after 1am on Fri/Sat
Weekday lunch: 5 min or less, minimal wait
Dietary Options
Vegetarian options: Yes - bean & cheese burritos, veggie tacos with grilled peppers/onions
Vegan options: Possible - request no cheese/sour cream, beans/rice/veggies available
Gluten-free options: No - flour tortillas only, no corn tortilla option
Good to Know
Is this good for a first date? Only if your date appreciates casual vibes - better as a second/third date destination or post-drinks spot. The picnic table seating and food truck format read more 'fun adventure' than 'trying to impress.'
Can I get food without waiting long? Yes during off-peak hours (weekday evenings, early weekend nights). Avoid 1-3am Friday/Saturday when post-bar crowds create 15+ min waits. Ordering ahead isn't available - it's walk-up only.
Is it kid-friendly? Yes for families with older kids (8+) who can handle spice levels and outdoor seating. The late-night crowd skews adult after 11pm, so visit before 9pm for family-friendly atmosphere.
Best For
Better for: Late-night cravings, flame-grilled al pastor quality, generous portions under $15, outdoor casual hangs with friends. Best California burrito execution in Echo Park.
Skip if: You need gluten-free options, want authentic Tijuana-style tacos on corn tortillas, prefer table service, or seeking romantic ambiance. Choose Leo's Tacos for corn tortillas or Tacos Delta for sit-down service instead.