Over the summer, Roadside Tacos made its way to the USC neighborhood, replacing the famed Study Hall after the local restaurant and bar closed its doors.
The taco joint, which officially opened in August of this year, has become a fast favorite among students looking for a good meal and tasty drinks to wash it all down. The interior is adorned with vibrant colors, drinking games and televisions on every wall.
“It’s a nice, lively atmosphere,” said Jai Khanna, a junior gerontology major. “The tacos are good.”
Their menu features an array of Mexican delicacies, like tacos, nachos and a crunchy gordita wrap stuffed with lettuce, tomatoes and Mexican crema. They also included wings on the menu for gameday, a specialty once synonymous with Study Hall.
Roadside’s flourishing customer base has expanded due to its business model curated specifically for students looking to have a good time. Every day, except Fridays and Saturdays, there is a deal for drinks and food to keep students coming back. The deals include Sangria Sundays, Margarita Mondays, Taco Tuesdays, White Claw Wednesdays and Thirsty Thursdays.
“[Study Hall’s] hours didn’t really work with their schedule,” said manager and USC alum Noah Collins. “By extending the hours later in the day, we’ve been able to get a bigger customer base with the students.”
Junior economics major Jack Higley frequents the establishment. When asked why he prefers Roadside over Study Hall, he said the ambiance initially drew him in.
“I love the color choice here,” said Higley, referring to the vibrant seating. “I think that they put a lot of thought into everything.”
Not only are there televisions airing every relevant sports event in the country, but they also make sure to appeal to other audiences. Various pop music videos can be seen displayed throughout the space, turning what used to be an exclusively sports-centered bar into a spot that everyone can enjoy.
“If I’m trying to catch a vibe, yeah, this is where I want to go,” Higley said.
Roadside Tacos is located on the corner of South Hoover Street and West 29th Street. It’s open every day from 11:30 a.m. to 11:30 p.m.