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A makeshift drive-thru at Casa Vega in Sherman Oaks.
A makeshift drive-thru at Casa Vega in Sherman Oaks.
[Official Photo]

16 Drive-Thru Restaurants Going Beyond Burgers and Fries in LA

Afro-Mexican pozole, Taiwanese snacks, lobster rolls, and more — all without stepping out of the car

by Cathy Chaplin Updated
7 comments / new
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A makeshift drive-thru at Casa Vega in Sherman Oaks.
| [Official Photo]
by Cathy Chaplin Updated
7 comments / new

Los Angeles invented the drive-thru back in the 1940s and has perfected the art ever since. Even though the pandemic has fundamentally shifted the way Angelenos dine, the city’s deep affection for convenience — food served fast and eaten behind the wheel — will never change. From Afro-Mexican pozole to Taiwanese snacks and lobster rolls, here now are 16 drive-thru restaurants going beyond burgers and fries in LA.

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Eater maps are curated by editors and aim to reflect a diversity of neighborhoods, cuisines, and prices. Learn more about our editorial process.

Chuy's Tacos Dorados

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Van Nuys’s Chuy’s Tacos Dorados serves hard-shelled tacos and other Mexican-American staples from a simple drive-thru right off Vanowen Street.

14557 Vanowen St, Van Nuys, CA 91405
(747) 264-1662
(747) 264-1662
A tray full of tacos.
Chuy’s Tacos Dorados
Farley Elliott

Porto's Bakery and Cafe

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It’s now possible to get one’s hands on crowd-pleasing guava pastries, potato balls, and tres leches cake without having to wait in line. Just order ahead on Porto’s website and schedule for in-car pick-up at all locations.

3614 W Magnolia Blvd, Burbank, CA 91505
(818) 846-9100
(818) 846-9100

Also featured in:

Ricchardo’s The Total Vegetarian

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Located in the former Orean’s Health Express on North Lake Avenue, Ricchardo’s The Total Vegetarian serves vegan fast-food staples like nachos, nuggets, and hot dogs. The drive-thru is open from 9:30 a.m. to 8:30 p.m.

817 N Lake Ave, Pasadena, CA 91104
(626) 765-9638
(626) 765-9638

Also featured in:

Casa Vega

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At Casa Vega, staff carefully place food orders in the trunk or backseat of one’s car. Place orders online or by calling the restaurant directly, then pull up to the driveway off of Ventura Boulevard for pick-up.

13301 Ventura Blvd, Sherman Oaks, CA 91423
(818) 788-4868
(818) 788-4868

Also featured in:

Pete's Blue Chip

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This Eagle Rock institution makes it possible to enjoy classic diner fare on-the-go. On the menu are grilled pork chops, all-day breakfast, club sandwiches, gyros, and more.

1701 Colorado Blvd, Los Angeles, CA 90041
(323) 478-9022
(323) 478-9022

Habanero Mexican Grill

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Mexican comforts reign supreme at San Gabriel’s perpetually busy Habanero Mexican Grill. The combination plates come with rice, beans, and salsa, along with a choice of protein or main course.

9003 E Fairview Ave, San Gabriel, CA 91775
(626) 286-1914
(626) 286-1914

Also featured in:

Boba Ave Express

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For a boba fix anytime of day, there’s Boba Ave Express in Arcadia. The drive-thru is open until midnight and serves Taiwanese snacks like popcorn chicken, braised pork, and tea eggs in addition to dozens of drinks.

1437 S Baldwin Ave, Arcadia, CA 91007
(626) 641-8090
(626) 641-8090

Also featured in:

7 Leaves Cafe

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This Little Saigon import serves the best cafe sua da in town. Stop in for a cup of the creamy-sweet house coffee that’s spiked with sweetened condensed milk and served over ice. Also available are Vietnamese che desserts.

151 N Garfield Ave, Alhambra, CA 91801
(626) 782-7775
(626) 782-7775

1802 Roasters

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For those in and around Cypress Park seeking a caffeine hit, head to 1802 Roasters for drive-thru and curbside pick-up daily from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m.

1206 N, Cypress Ave, Los Angeles, CA 90065
(323) 352-8805
(323) 352-8805

Joan’s on Third

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Joan’s on Third is offering timed pickups in its back alley through the holiday season. Place orders ahead of time and swing by for the goods without having to leave your car.

8350 W 3rd St, Los Angeles, CA 90048
(323) 655-2285
(323) 655-2285

Also featured in:

The Donut Hole

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Head to the Donut Hole in La Puente to drive through a giant replica of a doughnut while picking up a dozen or two doughnuts to bring home.

15300 Amar Rd, La Puente, CA 91744
(626) 968-2912
(626) 968-2912

Also featured in:

Broad Street Oyster Company

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For the swankiest drive-thru experience, head to Malibu for oysters, lobster rolls, and takeaway wine from Broad Street Oyster.

23359 CA-1 #3874A, Malibu, CA 90265
(424) 644-0131
(424) 644-0131
Broad Street Oyster Company
Broad Street Oyster Company
Farley Elliott

Also featured in:

Maple Block Meat Co.

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Maple Block’s COVID set up features both a drive-thru lane and a pick-up lot. Orders can be placed through a third party app or by calling the restaurant directly. Best of all, there’s free popcorn seasoned with everything rub for those waiting for their food.

3973 Sepulveda Blvd, Culver City, CA 90230
(310) 313-6328
(310) 313-6328

Also featured in:

Randy's Donuts

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Take in tremendous views of Randy’s iconic doughnut while stocking up on raised glazes, maple bars, and apple fritters at the original location in Inglewood.

805 W Manchester Blvd, Inglewood, CA 90301
(310) 645-4707
(310) 645-4707

Also featured in:

Tamales Elena Y Antojitos

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This new pozoleria from chef Maria Elena Lorenzo offers green, red, and white pozoles from La Costa Chica in Guerrero.

8101 Garfield Ave, Bell Gardens, CA 90201
(562) 674-3043
(562) 674-3043
Green pozole from Tamales Elena y Antojitos in Bell Gardens being held.
Tamales Elena Y Antojitos
Wonho Frank Lee

Also featured in:

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Shin Sen Gumi 2Go

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In addition to Shin Sen Gumi’s signature ramen, the restaurant is offering yakitori, udon, and rice bowls from 10 a.m. to 10 p.m. daily.

1695 Artesia Blvd, Gardena, CA 90248
(310) 532-0728
(310) 532-0728

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Chuy's Tacos Dorados

14557 Vanowen St, Van Nuys, CA 91405

Van Nuys’s Chuy’s Tacos Dorados serves hard-shelled tacos and other Mexican-American staples from a simple drive-thru right off Vanowen Street.

14557 Vanowen St, Van Nuys, CA 91405
(747) 264-1662
(747) 264-1662
A tray full of tacos.
Chuy’s Tacos Dorados
Farley Elliott

Porto's Bakery and Cafe

3614 W Magnolia Blvd, Burbank, CA 91505

It’s now possible to get one’s hands on crowd-pleasing guava pastries, potato balls, and tres leches cake without having to wait in line. Just order ahead on Porto’s website and schedule for in-car pick-up at all locations.

3614 W Magnolia Blvd, Burbank, CA 91505
(818) 846-9100
(818) 846-9100

Ricchardo’s The Total Vegetarian

817 N Lake Ave, Pasadena, CA 91104

Located in the former Orean’s Health Express on North Lake Avenue, Ricchardo’s The Total Vegetarian serves vegan fast-food staples like nachos, nuggets, and hot dogs. The drive-thru is open from 9:30 a.m. to 8:30 p.m.

817 N Lake Ave, Pasadena, CA 91104
(626) 765-9638
(626) 765-9638

Casa Vega

13301 Ventura Blvd, Sherman Oaks, CA 91423

At Casa Vega, staff carefully place food orders in the trunk or backseat of one’s car. Place orders online or by calling the restaurant directly, then pull up to the driveway off of Ventura Boulevard for pick-up.

13301 Ventura Blvd, Sherman Oaks, CA 91423
(818) 788-4868
(818) 788-4868

Pete's Blue Chip

1701 Colorado Blvd, Los Angeles, CA 90041

This Eagle Rock institution makes it possible to enjoy classic diner fare on-the-go. On the menu are grilled pork chops, all-day breakfast, club sandwiches, gyros, and more.

1701 Colorado Blvd, Los Angeles, CA 90041
(323) 478-9022
(323) 478-9022

Habanero Mexican Grill

9003 E Fairview Ave, San Gabriel, CA 91775

Mexican comforts reign supreme at San Gabriel’s perpetually busy Habanero Mexican Grill. The combination plates come with rice, beans, and salsa, along with a choice of protein or main course.

9003 E Fairview Ave, San Gabriel, CA 91775
(626) 286-1914
(626) 286-1914

Boba Ave Express

1437 S Baldwin Ave, Arcadia, CA 91007

For a boba fix anytime of day, there’s Boba Ave Express in Arcadia. The drive-thru is open until midnight and serves Taiwanese snacks like popcorn chicken, braised pork, and tea eggs in addition to dozens of drinks.

1437 S Baldwin Ave, Arcadia, CA 91007
(626) 641-8090
(626) 641-8090

7 Leaves Cafe

151 N Garfield Ave, Alhambra, CA 91801

This Little Saigon import serves the best cafe sua da in town. Stop in for a cup of the creamy-sweet house coffee that’s spiked with sweetened condensed milk and served over ice. Also available are Vietnamese che desserts.

151 N Garfield Ave, Alhambra, CA 91801
(626) 782-7775
(626) 782-7775

1802 Roasters

1206 N, Cypress Ave, Los Angeles, CA 90065

For those in and around Cypress Park seeking a caffeine hit, head to 1802 Roasters for drive-thru and curbside pick-up daily from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m.

1206 N, Cypress Ave, Los Angeles, CA 90065
(323) 352-8805
(323) 352-8805

Joan’s on Third

8350 W 3rd St, Los Angeles, CA 90048

Joan’s on Third is offering timed pickups in its back alley through the holiday season. Place orders ahead of time and swing by for the goods without having to leave your car.

8350 W 3rd St, Los Angeles, CA 90048
(323) 655-2285
(323) 655-2285

The Donut Hole

15300 Amar Rd, La Puente, CA 91744

Head to the Donut Hole in La Puente to drive through a giant replica of a doughnut while picking up a dozen or two doughnuts to bring home.

15300 Amar Rd, La Puente, CA 91744
(626) 968-2912
(626) 968-2912

Broad Street Oyster Company

23359 CA-1 #3874A, Malibu, CA 90265

For the swankiest drive-thru experience, head to Malibu for oysters, lobster rolls, and takeaway wine from Broad Street Oyster.

23359 CA-1 #3874A, Malibu, CA 90265
(424) 644-0131
(424) 644-0131
Broad Street Oyster Company
Broad Street Oyster Company
Farley Elliott

Maple Block Meat Co.

3973 Sepulveda Blvd, Culver City, CA 90230

Maple Block’s COVID set up features both a drive-thru lane and a pick-up lot. Orders can be placed through a third party app or by calling the restaurant directly. Best of all, there’s free popcorn seasoned with everything rub for those waiting for their food.

3973 Sepulveda Blvd, Culver City, CA 90230
(310) 313-6328
(310) 313-6328

Randy's Donuts

805 W Manchester Blvd, Inglewood, CA 90301

Take in tremendous views of Randy’s iconic doughnut while stocking up on raised glazes, maple bars, and apple fritters at the original location in Inglewood.

805 W Manchester Blvd, Inglewood, CA 90301
(310) 645-4707
(310) 645-4707

Tamales Elena Y Antojitos

8101 Garfield Ave, Bell Gardens, CA 90201

This new pozoleria from chef Maria Elena Lorenzo offers green, red, and white pozoles from La Costa Chica in Guerrero.

8101 Garfield Ave, Bell Gardens, CA 90201
(562) 674-3043
(562) 674-3043
Green pozole from Tamales Elena y Antojitos in Bell Gardens being held.
Tamales Elena Y Antojitos
Wonho Frank Lee

Related Maps

Shin Sen Gumi 2Go

1695 Artesia Blvd, Gardena, CA 90248

In addition to Shin Sen Gumi’s signature ramen, the restaurant is offering yakitori, udon, and rice bowls from 10 a.m. to 10 p.m. daily.

1695 Artesia Blvd, Gardena, CA 90248
(310) 532-0728
(310) 532-0728

Related Maps