Happy Halloween season, Trojans! Although I’m excited to go out and show off my Rodrick Heffley from “Diary of a Wimpy Kid” (2010) costume, I’m even more stoked thinking about the potential street food and taco stands I’ll swing by at the end of the night. 

The street food scene in South Central is unlike any other. From the plethora of taco stands and trucks to the fruit and hot dog carts, the Mexican cuisine and Los Angeles culture are vibrant, with endless hole-in-the-wall food options to explore.

Especially after a long night of standing around and hopping from party to party, the most comforting feeling for me is walking down the block to a street vendor and eating some juicy tripas on a warm tortilla for just a few bucks. No matter how tired I could be from partying, I make it my priority to get a taco or some type of street food by the end of the night. 

So in light of upcoming festivities, I headed out with the Daily Trojan’s Arts & Entertainment Editor Aubrie Cole once again to craft a partial taco guide for your next venture out on the city. Whether you’re headed out to a Halloween party, coming back from a football game or simply ordering takeout, here are three street food stalls to check out for some late-night munchies. 

Oliver’s Tacos 

Tucked right between the West Jefferson Boulevard entrance of campus and USC Village, Oliver’s Tacos has been my typical go-to spot since my sophomore year. The stand serves tacos and burritos with various selections of meat ranging from al pastor and asada to crispy tripas.  

Open from 5 p.m. to midnight daily, Oliver’s Tacos was packed to the brim on the Monday evening we visited, with students lined up outside the canopy and others eating off toward the sides of the grill. The cashier and chef worked quickly, serving up orders like a well-oiled machine.

Within a few short minutes, we received our piping hot tacos wrapped in foil for maximum heat preservation. The stand also had a separate table in the center of the tent with onions, cucumbers, cilantro, varying sauces and takeout containers for customer convenience. 

The street tacos, including two layers of warm tortillas, featured well-done asada and a tasty charred flavor which complemented the fresh veggies we added on top. Aside from the asada, the tripas were crispy yet still maintained a soft tenderness for a nice blend of textures. The cashier also offered an option for the tripas to be cooked but not crispy for those who don’t like the added crunch.

Overall, Oliver’s Tacos offers a traditional L.A. street taco experience with loads of toppings and a nice selection of meat options available and grilled onsite. The stand’s true crowning glory, though, is its convenient location right next to campus, making the food stall an easy stop on the way back from parties or study sessions. 

Tacos Tamix

Located down South Hoover Street in the parking lot of a Mobil gas station, Tacos Tamix is a local food truck grilling up Mexican cuisine and delights. Tacos Tamix is open from 10 a.m. to 2 a.m. on Sunday through Thursday and 10 a.m. to 4 a.m. on Fridays and Saturdays.

Utilizing the open concrete space, Taco Tamix has a makeshift dining area with several stools and tables covered by a tent. Situated within the Fryft zone, the truck was moderately busy on the Monday evening we visited.

The truck’s menu is expansive and exceeds standard street food stalls, ranging from traditional tacos and burritos to fajitas and mulitas. The large menu translates to the meat options as well, with selections of suadero, lengua and carnitas available alongside traditional meats such as asada and al pastor. 

Tacos Tamix also serves a variety of drinks ranging from homemade horchata to bottled Jarritos, and it has the same vegetable toppings available as Oliver’s Tacos. 

Once we unraveled our aluminum packaging, the tacos’ sweet yet savory aroma immediately crept out. The asada was much juicier and more tender compared to Oliver’s meat, which is typically cooked well done. The al pastor tacos featured a slice of pineapple topped on the high pile of meat, which paired well to be the perfect balance of savory and sweet palettes. 

Although the tripas were not as crispy as I personally like and slightly too chewy, Tacos Tamix still delivered high-quality meat and intricate flavors that could hypnotize any late-night snacker. Especially with the extended hours on prominent days for nights out, Tacos Tamix is sure to deliver an elevated street food experience for any night owl activities or afterparty debriefs.

Tacoyo’s 

Specializing in birria tacos and mulitas, Tacoyo’s is the best tacos we had during our mini street food tour and quite possibly my new go-to spot. 

Located on South Vermont Avenue in front of Ralphs, the taco stand is a hidden gem with no signs or physical menus and smushed between competing food trucks. Tacoyo’s is open from noon to 10 p.m. Monday through Friday and has a small dining area on the sidewalk consisting of two tables and four chairs. 

When we first approached the stand, the cashier was extremely friendly, clearly outlining the menu options for us after learning it was our first visit to Tacoyo’s. He worked fluidly with the chef, preparing and passing ingredients between each other like hotcakes. 

When it came to the food itself, our first impressions exceeded our wildest expectations. The birria was moist and perfectly tender with a nice, strong spicy undertone and fiery flavors derived from the grill. Dipped with the delectable spicy sauce in a separate container, the tacos taste otherworldly and add an extra kick of spice that brings the flavor up a notch. Similarly, the asada tacos struck that same balance of tenderness and charred textures. 

For those who are seeking a preparty meal or simply just want a taste of an exquisite L.A. street food experience, I highly suggest planning your next trip to Tacoyo’s. Once you order the birria tacos, I promise you won’t regret it. 

Jason Pham is a senior writing about affordable eating and restaurants in his column “Dining Dollars,” which runs every other Thursday.