Food trucks took off in the 2010s, revolutionizing the idea of dining across the United States.
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And it all began in Los Angeles. Back in 2008, Roy Choi’s Kogi BBQ truck was a bit of a novelty. Not only was food served up in a trailer-turned-impromptu kitchen, but Choi’s dishes were also grabbing attention. It combined the savory delights of Korean and Mexican fare, putting a new fusion food on the map.
While the food truck trend has come and gone from dozens of US cities since its mid-2010s heyday, that’s not the case in Los Angeles. If anything, the love of food trucks has grown. That’s partly thanks to the city’s drivable nature—they’re simply more accessible than they would be in denser cities, thanks to LA’s insane sprawl.
But Los Angeles also has a penchant for cultural innovation, and its food truck dining scene is the proof. Food trucks allow chefs and entrepreneurs to launch the next big thing because overhead costs are lower. As of 2026, it’s estimated that around 4,000 food trucks serve the city.
There’s just one catch: You might have a few questions about where to find the best food trucks in Los Angeles. Some food trucks have semi-permanent locations, while others join weekly events. Some are free-roaming, making them hard to pin down.
Here’s what you need to know, including apps that help you track and find food trucks, along with finding weekly food truck events.
Where to find the best food trucks in Los Angeles
Option #1: Use an app to find a specific food truck
If you’re on a mission to find a specific food truck, then the easiest way to track it down is to use one of two popular food-truck-trackers: Best Food Trucks (BFT) and the Food Truck Association Los Angeles (FTALA).
BFT uses a live map to track down where LA’s top food trucks are parked. They also have a week-long calendar, meaning you can click on a day of the week and locate food trucks based on where they (usually) set up shop on that day. They also have a search feature where you can type in the name of the food truck you want to track down.
FTALA, unlike BFT, is specific to LA. Prominent food trucks join the association, making them easy to search for and locate. FTALA also provides catering services, in case you want to book a food truck for an event. Uniquely, FTALA has multiple search options, from cuisine type to meal type to lifestyle/ethics (ie vegan, halal, etc).
Option #2: Head to a food truck park or a weekly event
You can use BFT and FTALA to explore different food trucks—or you can head straight to the big event(s) by heading to a food truck park or a food truck event. Because LA has a serious love for food trucks, many neighborhoods have their own food truck meetups where you can sample dishes from more than one restaurant on wheels.
Here’s where to find food trucks in Los Angeles:
- Avenue 26 Family Night Market (Pico Rivera Sports Arena): While the original Avenue 26 Night Market in Lincoln Heights was shut down years ago, it has since been reborn. The easiest way to experience the Ave 26 hype is to head to Pico Rivera Sports Arena on Saturdays and Sundays. The food trucks are affordable, delicious, and diverse. There’s usually live music, too.
- Granada Hills Grubfest (17723 Chatsworth Street, Granada Hills): Every Friday from 5:00 – 10:00 pm, this food truck event draws in around 30 restaurants on wheels. It’s located next to the local Granada Hills Farmers Market.
- Beach Eats (Marina del Rey): The County of Los Angeles throws a weekly food truck bash each summer. Every Thursday from 5:00 pm to 9:00 pm, some of the city’s most popular gourmet food trucks line up to sell their dishes at LA’s Marina.
- First Fridays (Abbot Kinney Boulevard, Venice): On the first Friday of the month, starting at 5 pm, popular food trucks park on Abbot Kinney Boulevard in Venice. The street turns into a food truck festival with dozens of sought-after servers.
- Lunch A La Park Food Trucks (Grand Ave, Gloria Marina Grand Park): No need to wait for the night to fall or a first Friday. Lunch A La Park runs from 11:00 am to 2:00 pm on Tuesdays, Wednesdays, and Thursdays. You can find a smaller but diverse list of food trucks serving the area. Fun fact: Local jurors get 10% off dishes at these food trucks, since they’re close to major courthouses.
