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Viva Taco Azteca
Master Critic Reviews (3 Lists)
Viva Taco Azteca
8.0
Vibes:
Late Night Legends
Cheap Eats Budget Brilliance
Solo Dining Sanctuaries
Quick Bites Champions
Operating out of a red truck tucked between a 7-Eleven and a car wash, Viva Taco Azteca stays open until midnight or 1am with a menu built for night-shift cravings. Since at least 2016 it’s been serving lengua, al pastor, and hefty two-meat quesadillas to a steady stream of late-night regulars along Figueroa.
Must-Try Dishes:
Al pastor tacos, Two-meat quesadilla (asada and pollo), Carnitas mulita
Scores:
Value: 8.5
Service: 8.2
Consistency: 8.3
Food Quality: 8.3
Atmosphere: 6.5
Cultural Relevance: 8
What makes it special: True late-night truck with house-made tortillas, big portions, and steady 12am–1am service.
Who should go: Night workers, bar-hoppers, and taco traditionalists.
When to visit: Midnight Friday or Saturday when the lot is buzzing.
What to order: Al pastor tacos, two-meat quesadilla, carnitas mulita.
Insider tip: Park on the side street, order a mulita plus tacos, and eat at the truck’s ledge while everything’s piping hot.
Logistics & Planning
Parking: Street parking only — usually easy on the adjacent side streets, even late at night. The 7-Eleven lot is technically off-limits for customers.
Dress code: Totally casual — hoodies, work clothes, or post-bar attire all fit in at this no-frills truck.
Noise level: Low to moderate — it’s outdoors on Figueroa, so expect street noise but easy conversation.
Weekend wait: 10–20 minutes depending on bar traffic and late-night crowds.
Weekday lunch: Typically no wait; service is quick since it’s a grab-and-go truck.
Dietary Options
Vegetarian options: Limited but doable — ask for veggie quesadillas or tacos with beans, cheese, and grilled onions.
Vegan options: Very limited — you can request tortillas with beans and salsa, but most fillings are meat-based.
Gluten-free options: Corn tortillas are naturally gluten-free, but there’s no dedicated GF prep area.
Good to Know
Is this good for a first date? Only if you’re both into casual street food. This is more of a fun, late-night bonding spot than a romantic setting.
Can I get a table without a reservation? There are no tables or reservations — it’s a stand-and-eat or eat-in-your-car situation typical of taco trucks.
Is it kid-friendly? Fine for older kids who can handle a street-side food truck environment, but there’s no seating, no high chairs, and the area can be busy late at night.
Best For
Better for: Late-night reliability, handmade tortillas, big portions, and classic meats like lengua and al pastor that outperform most neighborhood trucks.
Skip if: You want seating, a quieter environment, or extensive vegetarian/vegan options — a sit-down taquería or fast-casual spot will suit you better.
Viva Taco Azteca
8.1
Viva Taco Azteca is a street-side truck parked along Figueroa serving hearty burritos, two-meat quesadillas, and late-night al pastor tacos well past midnight on weekends. It’s a reliable stop for budget-friendly, no-frills Mexican when other kitchens in Highland Park have gone dark.
Must-Try Dishes:
Two-Meat Quesadilla, Al Pastor Tacos, Carnitas Burrito
Scores:
Value: 8.8
Service: 8
Consistency: 8.1
Food Quality: 8.5
Atmosphere: 6.5
Cultural Relevance: 7.9
What makes it special: A true after-midnight taco truck with generous portions and low prices.
Who should go: Night owls craving hearty tacos on a budget.
When to visit: Late nights after bar-hopping along Figueroa.
What to order: Two-meat quesadilla, al pastor tacos, carnitas burrito.
Insider tip: Bring cash and eat on your hood; parking by the truck turns into an impromptu picnic lot.
Logistics & Planning
Parking: Street parking only; usually easy to find a spot on nearby residential blocks, though it can get tight right on Figueroa after midnight.
Dress code: Totally casual—hoodies, bar clothes, or pajamas all fit right in.
Noise level: Low to moderate—it's a sidewalk taco truck, so expect street noise but still easy to chat.
Weekend wait: 10–20 minutes depending on the bar crowd surge.
Weekday lunch: Usually no wait or just a short line of regulars.
Dietary Options
Vegetarian options: Yes—bean-and-cheese burritos, veggie quesadillas, and customizable tacos without meat.
Vegan options: Limited—bean tacos/burritos without cheese, plus basic toppings; not a dedicated vegan spot.
Gluten-free options: Some options—corn tortillas are naturally gluten-free, but no separate prep area, so cross-contamination is possible.
Good to Know
Is this good for a first date? Only if your date is down for casual, late-night curbside tacos—it's fun and unfussy, but not romantic or sit-down.
Can I get a table without a reservation? There are no tables and no reservations—it's a walk-up truck; most people eat standing, on nearby benches, or on their car hood.
Is it kid-friendly? Kids who can handle street settings will be fine, but it's best earlier in the evening before the bar crowds roll in; no seats, restrooms, or high chairs.
Best For
Better for: Late-night hunger hits, budget-friendly burritos, quick grab-and-go meals, and hefty portions that outperform pricier sit-down spots.
Skip if: You want indoor seating, a calmer environment, vegan-focused menus, or meticulous presentation—other Highland Park restaurants suit those needs better.
Viva Taco Azteca
7.8
Vibes:
Cheap Eats Budget Brilliance
Late Night Legends
Quick Bites Champions
Solo Dining Sanctuaries
Parked on Figueroa with late-night hours, Viva Taco Azteca is a truck where burritos come fat, customizable, and built for post-shift or post-bar cravings. Regulars praise the grilled meats and generous toppings, especially when ordered all-meat with avocado and cheese.
Must-Try Dishes:
All-Meat Burrito with Cheese and Avocado, Two-Meat Burrito, Beans, Cheese and Rice Burrito
Scores:
Value: 8.5
Service: 7.7
Consistency: 7.5
Food Quality: 8
Atmosphere: 6.5
Cultural Relevance: 7.9
What makes it special: A true late-night Figueroa truck slinging big customizable burritos.
Who should go: Night owls finishing shifts or bar hopping nearby.
When to visit: After 10pm when the truck scene is lively.
What to order: All-meat burrito, carnitas burrito, extra grilled onions.
Insider tip: Ask which salsas are hottest that night and get them on the side.
Logistics & Planning
Parking: Street parking along Figueroa is generally available but can get tight after 9pm; expect to circle once or twice on weekends.
Dress code: Totally casual—hoodies, work clothes, post-gym fits all acceptable. It’s a food truck, so come as you are.
Noise level: Moderate street noise from cars and other food trucks, but you can still hold a conversation without shouting.
Weekend wait: 10–20 minutes depending on bar traffic and late-night crowds.
Weekday lunch: Usually no wait or a short 5-minute queue.
Dietary Options
Vegetarian options: Yes — bean and cheese burritos, veggie-loaded burritos, and customizable builds with grilled onions, peppers, and avocado.
Vegan options: Limited — bean-based builds are possible if you skip cheese and sour cream. No dedicated vegan proteins.
Gluten-free options: Somewhat — corn tortillas are available for tacos, but burritos use flour tortillas and there is no strict cross-contamination control.
Good to Know
Is this good for a first date? Only if your idea of a first date is low-key, fun, and zero-pressure. It’s a street truck, so don’t expect ambiance—but sharing late-night burritos can be charming in its own messy way.
Can I get a table without a reservation? There are no reservations or formal tables. You’ll find a few standing areas or curbside spots nearby. Most people eat on the go.
Is it kid-friendly? Yes for quick, casual meals. No dedicated seating or amenities, but older kids who enjoy tacos and burritos will be fine. Not ideal for toddlers.
Best For
Better for: Late-night hunger and oversized, customizable burritos at budget-friendly prices. Great grilled meats compared to nearby trucks.
Skip if: You want a sit-down meal, strict dietary accommodations, or a quieter environment. Look elsewhere for ambience-focused dining.