La Isla Bonita (4th & Rose) Taco Truck - Venice, CA.

Ask any real Venice Beach denizen, and he or she has likely never set foot on Muscle Beach. But a certain taco truck on Rose Ave.? Oh, yes, they know what the truck you’re talking about. It’s called La Isla Bonita, but nobody knows that. What’s better known is the two-dollar ceviche tostada — a thin, flat, crisp of corn tortilla covered with a half-inch layer of chopped onion, tomato, cilantro and appealing fish, plus, two slices of bright green California avocado (don’t forget to take advantage of the slice of lime). Sure, the tacos are fine, but it’s the ceviche that forms the crowd — an odd mix of surfers, old hippies, entire Mexican families, the Venice bums, and a pack of slender women clad in yoga pants. If it’s lunchtime and not Thursday, rest assured that one of the coveted parking spaces on Rose Ave. between Third and Fourth St. will be occupied with this “Mariscos” truck, which boasts an ocean mural on its rear. The man inside answers to “Antonio” or “Tony.” You answer to “Ceviche!” when Tony calls the orders out. Do like any local would, and wash it down with a Mexican Coke.- by Lien Ta for trazzler.com

- photos from greattacohunt & erinakamura