May 8, 2026
Most celebrity-owned restaurants in Los Angeles are built on name recognition. A famous face opens a spot, the paparazzi show up for opening week, and within a year the place is either coasting on reputation or quietly closing. Roadside Taco is a different kind of story — because the person behind it cares more about the tacos than the spotlight.
Vincent Laresca: Actor, Founder, Taco Obsessive
Vincent Laresca has spent decades working in Hollywood, with credits spanning film and television. But his passion project isn't on screen — it's on Ventura Blvd. Through Blue Collar Hospitality, his restaurant group, Laresca set out to build a taquería that serves the kind of street tacos you'd find at the best roadside stands in Mexico, but in a setting where you can sit down, have a craft cocktail, and actually enjoy the experience.
That mission is baked into everything at Roadside Taco, from the handmade corn tortillas pressed in-house to the decision to put fresh avocado on every single taco. These aren't the kind of shortcuts a restaurant makes when it's just banking on a famous name. This is a founder who eats at his own restaurant and cares whether the al pastor pineapple is properly caramelized.
You can learn more about Vincent and the founding story on the our story page.
The Team That Makes It Work
A great restaurant is never one person, and Roadside Taco's kitchen is led by Executive Chef Lanny Marquez, who brings deep expertise in Mexican cuisine and a commitment to using fresh, quality ingredients across every dish. The menu may look simple — tacos, burritos, bowls — but the execution behind each plate is anything but.
On the bar side, Ben Goglia serves as Bar Director. Ben previously helped create the bar program at Blue Collar, one of LA's respected cocktail bars, before partnering on Roadside Taco. His approach is rooted in craft: fresh hand-pressed juices, homemade syrups made with all-natural ingredients, and a cocktail menu that celebrates LA's craft bar culture. Explore the full craft cocktail bar program to see what Ben has built.
The Blue Collar Philosophy
The name "Blue Collar Hospitality" says a lot about the approach. This isn't about flash or trends — it's about putting in the work. Handmade tortillas take more time and effort than ordering them from a supplier. Fresh-pressed juice costs more than premixed margarita syrup. Putting real avocado on every taco instead of offering it as a $3 upcharge means thinner margins but happier customers.
That philosophy extends to how the restaurant treats its guests. The staff is genuinely attentive — something multiple reviewers call out. The patio is designed for hanging out, not turning tables. And the pricing is fair: $15 for three tacos with rice and beans is competitive for Studio City, especially given the quality.
A Neighborhood Spot with a Story
What makes Roadside Taco different from the dozens of other taco options in the San Fernando Valley isn't just the food or the cocktails — it's the fact that there's a real vision behind it. Laresca didn't open a restaurant because it seemed like a fun celebrity side project. He opened it because he genuinely believes that great street tacos, made with care and served with great drinks, can anchor a neighborhood.
Three years in, with a loyal local following, a Taco Tuesday deal that packs the patio every week, and a happy hour that keeps industry professionals coming back after work, it's clear the vision is working.
Visit Us
Roadside Taco is located at 10628 Ventura Blvd, Studio City, CA 91604. Walk in, grab a seat on the patio, and taste what happens when someone puts real love into every tortilla.