STUDIO CITY—The street tortilla stand by the name of “El Ruso” has opened a permanent taqueria in Studio City. What once began as a taco stand in an alley outside of CVS in Boyle Heights has a chance to attract new customers with a permanent location.
El Ruso started with 19-year-old Walter Soto and Julia Silva in 2016, running a taco stand feeding hungry locals who smelled the fresh food and evolved into one of LA’s best taco trucks over the years. El Ruso evolved into a food truck in Silver Lake.
The former street-cart-turned truck opened the doors to its first permanent restaurant on, July 22 at 5 p.m. in Studio City at the Roadside Taco location on 10628 Ventura Boulevard.
El Ruso is known for Sonoran flour tortilla-wrapped tacos and burritos. Owner Walter Soto told The LA Local that opening their own brick-and-mortar restaurant has been a dream for over a decade, and this location will allow the restaurant to have a consistent menu for the first time.
The new permanent location offers a full bar with inside seating and a patio. The menu consists of the famous flour-tortilla wrapped tacos and burritos with proteins such as al pastor, shrimp, asada, rib eye, and Chile Colorado.
Soto explains that, currently, El Ruso will pause operations as a food truck while they focus on the operations of the new restaurant. He explains to LA Eater that El Ruso’s opening in Studio City is “a new opportunity to be able to give guests pure quality.”
By Ryley Metten