As someone who frequents the Expo Train line. which has THREE stations right near the SC campus, i see that it’s quite easy for SC students to take the train to either Chinatown or further east to the SGV. I also see that, because of the train, many SC students do not live near campus. In the case of Mainland Chinese students, I could see they might prefer living near the food rather than campus.
Correct. You can usually find street parking going down McClintock. There is a newish truck hanging out on Vermont near the fields. But I haven’t had a chance to check that one out yet (It’s essentially across the street from the Boba Shop, so it’s a smart location). The truck folks speak okay English and are actually really friendly. You can chat with them and I’m sure they will give you the real skinny about the Visa students in the area. And that Mexican Lady and White guy who come and always order shrimp and egg… LOL!!
But yeah, the taco truck thing should have been a tip off. USC does not need Taco Trucks what with La Taquiza and La Barca (Still an absolute Scene) and now Banditos. Like I said, some of these ABC/Ks know where to go for the good stuff. I often see them at the Taqueria Taco Shop after games. LOL!!
I was once accompanied by a USC student from Shanghai, serving as an interpreter. She told me that she and her friends would get together and drive out to the SGV on a regular basis to get food.
I’m presuming that was also the model at UCLA until the past two years when places like Qin West, Northern Cafe, L Kitchen, Koala T, and Popcorn Chicken have opened up.
Hey! Glad to help solve the mystery. We always knew what they were and who they were catering too. But when we finally visited ourselves out of dinner desperation we were shocked at the variety!