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Roadside Taco
Master Critic Review
Roadside Taco
8.5
Chef Lanny Marquez's taqueria offers regional Mexican street tacos and burritos on a spacious string-lit patio. Fresh-pressed margaritas and counter-service format make it ideal for groups, while signature items like birria and cochinita pibil showcase authentic preparations with modern LA energy.
Must-Try Dishes:
Chicken Birria Taco, Roadside Burrito with Fish, Street Corn
Scores:
Value: 7.9
Service: 8.4
Consistency: 8.3
Food Quality: 8.7
Atmosphere: 8.8
Cultural Relevance: 8.6
What makes it special: Large heated patio with fresh-pressed juices in every margarita and Chef Lanny's regional Mexican preparations
Who should go: Groups wanting a lively patio scene with quality tacos
When to visit: Weekend evenings for the full patio experience with music
What to order: Chicken birria taco, mushroom taco, street corn, spiked horchata
Insider tip: Walk-in only with individual counter ordering makes splitting groups easy
Logistics & Planning
Parking: Free lot on-site with 40+ spaces, overflow street parking available on Ventura Blvd
Dress code: Casual - tees and jeans standard for the taqueria vibe
Noise level: Lively - music and patio energy make it better for groups than intimate conversation
Weekend wait: 15-25 min for counter ordering during peak (7-9pm), seating is walk-in
Weekday lunch: 5-10 min max, moves quickly
Dietary Options
Vegetarian options: Yes - mushroom tacos, grilled veggie options, cheese quesadillas available
Vegan options: Limited - mushroom and veggie tacos can be made without cheese/crema
Gluten-free options: Corn tortillas standard for tacos, avoid flour tortilla burritos
Good to Know
Is this good for a first date? Better for 3rd+ dates - the counter-service format and lively patio energy work great for casual couples, but lack the table-service intimacy most want for first impressions
Can I get a table without a reservation? Yes - it's walk-in only with no reservations accepted. Grab any open patio table after ordering at the counter, weekends fill up 7-9pm but turnover is steady
Is it kid-friendly? Very - spacious patio with room to move, simple taco/quesadilla options, and casual counter-service format makes it stress-free for families. Best for ages 5+ who can handle basic tacos
How does it compare to other Studio City tacos? More authentic regional preparations than Tocaya or Sharky's, bigger patio scene than Pinches, better quality than Chipotle. Choose this when you want real birria and fresh margaritas over fast-casual chains
What's the alcohol situation? Full bar with fresh-pressed juice margaritas (not pre-mix), spiked horchata, and Mexican beers. Margaritas run $12-14 and are the move here
Best For
Better for: Chef-driven regional Mexican (birria, cochinita pibil) with a lively patio scene and fresh margaritas - beats fast-casual chains on authenticity and beats sit-down spots on the energetic vibe
Skip if: You want quiet conversation, full table service, or need reservations for a specific time - the counter-service walk-in format and music-filled patio aren't built for intimate dining