best pizza, tacos, and cheap eats in highland park
Highland Park has quietly become one of the best neighborhoods in LA to eat well without spending much. Whether you're chasing a late-night slice, a perfect taco, or just something good and cheap on a Tuesday, Figueroa and York deliver. Here's where locals actually eat.
🍕 Pizza
Casa Bianca Pizza · 1650 Colorado Blvd
This place has been here since 1955 and it shows, in the best way. Thin crust, no-frills atmosphere, and a pepperoni pizza that doesn't need to prove anything. The room feels like a time capsule. Go on a weeknight if you can; weekends draw a line out the door. Cash-friendly, 4.6 stars, and worth every minute of the wait.
Order: the pepperoni. Don't overthink it.
🌮 Tacos
Villa's Tacos · 5455 N Figueroa St
This is the one people text each other about. Victor Villa's birria tacos have a cult following for good reason, deeply braised, rich, and served with a consommé for dipping that you'll want to drink straight. The patio is small but perfect on a warm evening. Rated 4.7 stars and perpetually busy on weekends. Get here before noon on Saturdays or be prepared to wait.
Order: birria tacos, obviously. Grab extra consommé.
Antojitos Carmen · 5765 N Figueroa St
A quieter find a few blocks up Figueroa. The tacos de canasta are the move here, soft, oily in that traditional way, stuffed with beans or potato or chicharrón. The quesadillas con flor de calabaza (squash blossom) show up when they're in season and are not to be missed. Casual, neighborhood-local, no fuss. Rated 4.6 stars.
Order: tacos de canasta, two or three minimum.
🥪 Cheap Eats Worth the Trip
Wax Paper · 2902 Knox Ave
A 5-star sandwich shop is rare anywhere. Wax Paper earned it. The sandwiches are creative without being annoying about it, house-made condiments, good bread, combinations that actually make sense together. It's a counter spot tucked just off the main drag, with a loyal lunch crowd. Prices stay reasonable even as the reputation has grown.
Order: ask what's house-made that day. Whatever they say, get it.
Tropical Juice LA · 5729 N Figueroa St
Rated 4.9 stars and it earns every one. Fresh fruit, agua frescas, and juices made to order. This is your post-taco move or your Saturday morning reset. The line moves fast and nothing on the menu will hurt your wallet.
Order: whatever fruit is in season. They know what's good.
Tierra Mia · Figueroa St
A local coffee chainlet that actually feels local. The horchata latte is one of those drinks that becomes a habit. The café de olla is exactly what you want on a slow morning. Cheap, fast, and staffed by people who have made these drinks a thousand times and still do it right. Rated 4.6 stars.
Order: horchata latte if it's warm out, café de olla if it's not.
🍺 A Beer While You Figure Out Where to Eat Next
The Hermosillo · 5125 York Blvd
A good draft beer selection and well whiskey drinks at prices that don't make you do math in your head. The vibe is neighborhood bar, familiar, a little worn in, no attitude. A solid stop before or after eating your way down Figueroa. Rated 4.6 stars.
A Few Logistics
Parking on Figueroa can be tricky on weekend evenings, side streets off Ave 50 or Ave 51 usually have space within a short walk. Most of these spots are clustered between the 5400 and 5900 blocks of Figueroa, so it's very walkable once you're there. A few of the taco spots are cash-preferred, so come prepared.
The neighborhood rewards the slow approach. Grab tacos, walk to a juice, pick up a soda at Galco's (5702 York Blvd, 500+ specialty sodas, including Mexican Coke in glass bottles), and call it a perfect afternoon.