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Tacos Gavilan - Hollywood
Master Critic Reviews (6 Lists)
Tacos Gavilan - Hollywood
7.9
Vibes:
Cheap Eats Budget Brilliance
Late Night Legends
Family Friendly Favorites
Quick Bites Champions
Tacos Gavilan’s Hollywood outpost is a fast-casual staple for classic tacos al carbón, with a long menu of asada, al pastor, pollo, lengua, and more served late into the night. It’s the reliable pick for quick, inexpensive plates after work, before shows, or on the way home along the Sunset and La Brea corridor.
Must-Try Dishes:
Carne asada tacos, Al pastor tacos, Lengua tacos
Scores:
Value: 8.8
Service: 7.4
Consistency: 8.3
Food Quality: 8.1
Atmosphere: 6.4
Cultural Relevance: 8.5
What makes it special: High-volume counter-service taqueria with a big meat lineup and long hours.
Who should go: Budget-minded taco lovers needing reliable, straightforward plates.
When to visit: Late evenings or post-event when other spots are closing.
What to order: Asada tacos, al pastor tacos, lengua tacos with horchata.
Insider tip: Customize tacos at the salsa bar to dial in heat and acidity.
Logistics & Planning
Parking: Small shared lot with limited spaces; street parking on Sunset and side streets is generally available but can be tight during peak nightlife hours.
Dress code: Very casual—come as you are. Streetwear, gym clothes, or post-work attire all fit in.
Noise level: Moderate; lively counter-service energy but still easy enough to hold a conversation.
Weekend wait: 5–15 minutes depending on late-night rushes, especially after nearby events.
Weekday lunch: Typically no wait aside from a short line at the counter.
Dietary Options
Vegetarian options: Yes—bean, cheese, and veggie-focused items are available, though the menu is meat-forward.
Vegan options: Limited—beans and tortillas work, but most fillings are animal-based. Build-your-own options possible.
Gluten-free options: Yes—most tacos are naturally gluten-free when ordered on corn tortillas.
Good to Know
Is this good for a first date? Only if the vibe you're aiming for is casual, quick, and no-frills. It’s more functional than romantic, great for low-pressure meetups rather than formal first dates.
Can I get a table without a reservation? Yes—it's counter-service and first-come, first-served. Turnover is fast, so seating usually opens quickly.
Is it kid-friendly? Yes—bright, casual, and quick. Kids who like simple tacos, rice, or beans will be comfortable. No specific kid amenities, but families frequent the space.
Best For
Better for: Reliable, inexpensive tacos with long hours—especially useful when you need a quick meal without fuss. Great variety of meats compared to smaller stands.
Skip if: You want chef-driven tacos, a patio hangout, or a more atmospheric dining experience. Go elsewhere for craft cocktails or elevated Mexican cuisine.
Tacos Gavilan - Hollywood
8.2
A late-night taco spot offering authentic al pastor, carne asada, and burritos, open until the early hours. Known for its quick service and affordable prices, it's perfect for post-show cravings.
Must-Try Dishes:
Carne Asada Taco, Mulita Chorizo, Birria Quesataco
Scores:
Value: 8.5
Service: 8
Consistency: 8.2
Food Quality: 8.6
Atmosphere: 7.4
Cultural Relevance: 8.1
What makes it special: Drive-thru friendly tacos, open late with bold salsas.
Who should go: Late-night snackers and taco lovers.
When to visit: Best between 11 p.m. and 2 a.m.
What to order: Carne Asada Taco, Mulita Chorizo, Birria Quesataco.
Insider tip: Park nearby for easy access to the drive-thru.
Logistics & Planning
Parking: Street parking available, can be challenging during peak hours. Consider parking a few blocks away.
Dress code: Casual, comfortable attire recommended. Jeans and a t-shirt are perfectly fine.
Noise level: Moderate – the outdoor setting can be lively, but it's manageable for a casual conversation.
Weekend wait: Expect minimal wait, typically 10-15 minutes. Busy but efficient service.
Weekday lunch: No wait, quick service even during peak hours.
Dietary Options
Vegetarian options: Limited options – consider the veggie burrito or ask for a vegetarian taco.
Vegan options: Limited – the salsas and some sides are vegan-friendly.
Gluten-free options: Yes – corn tortillas are available, but ensure no cross-contamination with flour tortillas.
Good to Know
Is this good for a first date? It's a casual spot, ideal if you’re looking for a relaxed, no-frills vibe. Great if you both enjoy tacos and don't mind a bit of noise.
Can I get a table without a reservation? Yes, Tacos El Gavilán is a walk-up taco stand, so there's no need for reservations.
Is it kid-friendly? Yes, kids are welcome. The casual setting and quick service make it an easy stop for families, though it's not overly quiet or formal.
Best For
Better for: If you're craving authentic late-night tacos with quick service and bold salsas, this is the place. It's perfect for a post-show bite or a casual taco run.
Skip if: If you're looking for a sit-down, fine dining experience or a quieter ambiance, consider alternatives like Te'kila for a more relaxed vibe.
Tacos Gavilan - Hollywood
8.2
A late-night taco truck offering flavorful al pastor and carne asada tacos. Known for its quick service and bold salsas, it's a favorite among night owls in the Hollywood area.
Must-Try Dishes:
Carne Asada Taco, Mulita Chorizo, Birria Quesataco
Scores:
Value: 8.7
Service: 8.2
Consistency: 8
Food Quality: 8.5
Atmosphere: 7.5
Cultural Relevance: 8.3
What makes it special: Drive-thru friendly tacos with bold salsas, open late.
Who should go: Late-night taco lovers and night owls.
When to visit: Best between 11 p.m. and 2 a.m.
What to order: Carne Asada Taco, Mulita Chorizo, Birria Quesataco.
Insider tip: Park nearby for easy access to the drive-thru.
Logistics & Planning
Parking: Street parking is available but can be difficult to find during peak hours. There is also a nearby parking lot, though it may charge a small fee.
Dress code: Casual - feel free to wear jeans or shorts, though this is a food truck with limited seating.
Noise level: Moderate - background noise from traffic, but you can still have a conversation.
Weekend wait: Expect a 15-30 minute wait, especially around midnight when the crowd picks up.
Weekday lunch: Typically no wait, even during peak hours.
Dietary Options
Vegetarian options: Yes - there are vegetarian options like the Veggie Tacos and some sides.
Vegan options: Limited - a few options such as the Guacamole and some salsas are vegan-friendly.
Gluten-free options: Yes - the tacos are typically gluten-free, but be sure to ask for gluten-free tortillas to avoid cross-contamination.
Good to Know
Is this good for a first date? It's a great casual option for a laid-back first date, especially if you both enjoy good tacos and a lively atmosphere. However, it might not be ideal if you're looking for a quiet, intimate setting.
Can I get a table without a reservation? This is a food truck, so seating is first-come, first-served. You can easily grab a spot unless it's during the late-night rush on weekends.
Is it kid-friendly? Yes - kids will enjoy the simple taco offerings. It's a quick and casual spot, but the atmosphere may be better suited for older children or teens, especially later at night.
Best For
Better for: This place is perfect for late-night cravings and a quick bite after a night out. It's also great if you love bold salsas and al pastor tacos.
Skip if: If you're looking for a sit-down, more relaxed dining experience or something with a broader menu beyond tacos, you might want to try other options in the area.
Tacos Gavilan - Hollywood
8.2
A late-night taco spot offering authentic al pastor, carne asada, and burritos, open until the early hours. Known for its quick service and affordable prices.
Must-Try Dishes:
Carne Asada Taco, Mulita Chorizo, Birria Quesataco
Scores:
Value: 8.9
Service: 8.2
Consistency: 8.1
Food Quality: 8.5
Atmosphere: 7.5
Cultural Relevance: 8.2
What makes it special: Drive-thru friendly tacos, open late with bold salsas.
Who should go: Late-night snackers and taco lovers.
When to visit: 11 p.m. to 2 a.m. for the best experience.
What to order: Carne Asada Taco, Mulita Chorizo, Birria Quesataco.
Insider tip: Park nearby for easy access to the drive-thru.
Logistics & Planning
Parking: Street parking available, but limited. Consider parking in nearby lots for easier access.
Dress code: Casual, comfortable attire. No dress code required.
Noise level: Moderate - can hear your companions, but the late-night crowd can get lively.
Weekend wait: No wait typically, but it can get busy after midnight.
Weekday lunch: No wait typically.
Dietary Options
Vegetarian options: Yes - options like the veggie burrito and guacamole.
Vegan options: Limited - options such as the veggie burrito without cheese.
Gluten-free options: Yes - gluten-free corn tortillas available upon request.
Good to Know
Is this good for a first date? Not ideal for a romantic setting. It's a casual, quick bite place perfect for late-night taco cravings, but not for intimate conversation.
Can I get a table without a reservation? No reservations are needed as it's counter-service with ample outdoor seating, though seating may fill up during late-night hours.
Is it kid-friendly? Yes, kids will enjoy the casual, fast service and tacos. The outdoor seating area is perfect for families.
Best For
Better for: Great for quick, affordable late-night tacos. The drive-thru option makes it stand out for convenience and speed.
Skip if: Looking for a sit-down experience with a refined atmosphere. This is a casual, quick-serve spot.
Tacos Gavilan - Hollywood
7.9
A drive‑thru and counter‑service taco haunt open late on Sunset, offering classic tacos and mulitas for post‑show cravings. Patrons like the quick turnaround and bold salsas at affordable prices. It represents a solid late‑night taco option in the 90028 zone.
Must-Try Dishes:
Carne asada taco, Mulita de chorizo, Birria quesataco
Scores:
Value: 8.6
Service: 7.4
Consistency: 7.9
Food Quality: 8.1
Atmosphere: 6.8
Cultural Relevance: 7.2
What makes it special: Drive‑thru friendly tacos open late on Sunset Blvd.
Who should go: Night‑owls and post‑concert taco hunters
When to visit: 11 p.m.–2 a.m. for peak late‑night window
What to order: Carne asada taco, mulita chorizo, birria quesataco
Insider tip: Park in the lot next to the drive‑thru for quicker entry
Logistics & Planning
Parking: Street parking available, can be tight during peak hours; lot next to the drive-thru offers quicker entry.
Dress code: Casual, jeans and comfortable wear are fine.
Noise level: Moderate - background music and conversations are easy to manage.
Weekend wait: Typically no wait, but busy post-concert times.
Weekday lunch: No wait typically, fast service.
Dietary Options
Vegetarian options: Limited - options like cheese mulitas and veggie tacos are available.
Vegan options: Limited - a few options such as bean tacos and salsas.
Gluten-free options: Yes - corn tortillas are available for gluten-free tacos.
Good to Know
Is this good for a first date? Not ideal for a first date, as it’s more casual with a drive-thru setup. However, if you're both taco lovers and want a laid-back vibe, it can be fun.
Can I get a table without a reservation? No reservations needed – it's a quick-serve, counter-service spot with a drive-thru option.
Is it kid-friendly? Yes, it's family-friendly with no formal seating, but kids will enjoy the casual vibe and quick service.
Best For
Better for: Great for a quick, affordable late-night taco fix with a drive-thru for convenience. Offers more casual vibes compared to sit-down taco spots.
Skip if: If you prefer a sit-down, dine-in experience with a full menu or upscale ambiance, you might want to try a different spot.
Tacos Gavilan - Hollywood
7.8
The Hollywood outpost of Tacos Gavilan is a counter-service standby for late-night plates of al pastor, carne asada, and oversized burritos at Sunset and La Brea. It’s bright, efficient, and built for volume, serving hungry crews until midnight with a salsa bar that lets you customize every bite.
Must-Try Dishes:
Al Pastor Tacos, Carne Asada Burrito, Sopes de Asada
Scores:
Value: 9
Service: 7.4
Consistency: 8.3
Food Quality: 8.2
Atmosphere: 6.9
Cultural Relevance: 8
What makes it special: High-volume taqueria turning out affordable plates until midnight nightly.
Who should go: Budget-minded night owls craving hearty combo-style Mexican.
When to visit: After shows or late shifts when lines thin slightly.
What to order: Al pastor tacos, carne asada burrito, sopes de asada.
Insider tip: Use the salsa bar to customize heat and lime on every bite.
Logistics & Planning
Parking: Street parking available, but can be difficult after 6pm. No valet service.
Dress code: Casual - jeans and t-shirts are fine.
Noise level: Moderate - loud enough to hear the buzz of the kitchen but still able to have a conversation.
Weekend wait: Expect a 15-30 minute wait due to high volume from late-night crowds.
Weekday lunch: No wait typically.
Dietary Options
Vegetarian options: Yes - options like bean burritos and veggie tacos are available.
Vegan options: Limited - some tacos and sopes can be customized to be vegan.
Gluten-free options: Yes - gluten-free tortillas available, but prepare to confirm with staff about cross-contamination.
Good to Know
Is this good for a first date? Not ideal for a first date - it's casual and busy, so it might not set the romantic tone you're hoping for. However, if you both love casual Mexican food and want a quick, no-frills experience, it can work.
Can I get a table without a reservation? This is a counter-service spot, so no reservations needed. Expect to order at the counter and find seating on your own.
Is it kid-friendly? Yes, it's kid-friendly. There's no dedicated kids' menu, but the casual vibe and small portion options like tacos and burritos are great for younger diners.
Best For
Better for: Tacos Gavilan is great for a quick, no-frills late-night meal. It's more affordable and convenient than sit-down Mexican spots.
Skip if: If you're looking for a more intimate or refined experience, skip this in favor of a place with table service and a more relaxed atmosphere.