So basically, Niema and I are craving a visit to Oakland's most delicious institution ever- The Taco Truck. We are both out in NYC at the moment, and though it is a great city, it has prompted my first ever socio-cultural executive decision: You can't be considered a "world class city" if you have shitty Mexican food. That seems extremely fair to me. Oh and you have to listen to this NPR All Things Considered special report on the Oakland taco scene as you read this entry!
In any case, I miss Oakland so much right now as my stomach growls and I stupidly read taco truck reviews on chowtime. This post is not designed to make all of you Bayliens out there hungry, but it inevitably will, and for this I apologize.
In the comment section, all Oaklanders are required to drop the name/location of their favorite taco truck and name their favorite dish. What makes your truck so special? Cuz Im thinkin mines is better!!
Well Niema is jonesing for a chicken burrito (no jalapeños) from the truck at 55th Ave and E 14th in the parking lot of the tire shop. It's right down the street from her spot and is open on the late-night, which is oh no necessary.
Well Niema is jonesing for a chicken burrito (no jalapeños) from the truck at 55th Ave and E 14th in the parking lot of the tire shop. It's right down the street from her spot and is open on the late-night, which is oh no necessary.
My joint is Tacos Sinaloa at 22nd Ave and East 14th. And my I fux with a plate of 4 carne asada tacos with salsa verde and extra limes. It gets no better blood. The burritos are koo, but lack a lot of the extra accoutrements. They also have a second truck on the lot which specializes in seafood and is rumored to have some good ass ceviche. I generally stick with my staple though. They have parking and some shaded tables too, which are tough to come by in the taco scene.
I also have a soft spot in my heart for my neighborhood truck, El Centenario, on 38th Ave and Foothill Blvd in the parking lot of the now defunct Hot Boyz Auto Detail. Unfortunately they played host to a murder this year, which hurt business and prompted the addition of some No Loitering signs. Don Perata always said "any press is good press" but I'm thinking having someone killed while waiting for your food generally doesn't help. So I am offering them better (if less read) press. I have always enjoyed their carnitas tacos and chicken burritos and always cash out for some horchata as well. Also open on that good late-night.
If you are abroad or bunkered in some other city or town across the country, remember to indulge when you make a holiday cameo in The Town. I for one, will make Sinaloa/Centenario my first meal upon my return. If you happen to be in the Bay as you read this, do us all a favor and enjoi as often as you can. Also remember to rep ur favorite truck in the comment section. Signing off hungry.
If you are abroad or bunkered in some other city or town across the country, remember to indulge when you make a holiday cameo in The Town. I for one, will make Sinaloa/Centenario my first meal upon my return. If you happen to be in the Bay as you read this, do us all a favor and enjoi as often as you can. Also remember to rep ur favorite truck in the comment section. Signing off hungry.
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12 comments:
See i look at Taco Trucks differently, I be messin wit the truck on the corner of East 14th and High st. It's not the best neighborhood, but the tacos and burritos are off the charts. I'm a vegetarian and so the veg/fish taco/burritos are my way to go. Now 22nd and East 14th that is the home of some amazing street side Mexican food(even though tacos and burritos aren't really Mexican rather American) I truly appreciate the service those folks proved us Oaklanders.
Burritos are not traditionally Mexican, but tacos are. I used to go to El Taco Zamorano on E 14 and High st all the time, but then I feel like it disappeared for a while. I do believe its back tho.
There is a taco truck in astoria queens right on 30th ave! Don't be fooled by the immitator right of the station, but venture 2 blocks up infront of the Rite Aid just past the Key Foods...!! Oh... and el taco zamorano is where its at.
i hate san diego; where i'm at right now cuz they dont have taco trucks and they put avocado on tacos at taco shops! wtf is that? I miss my town and its taco trucks =( mine was on International and 30th @ the good will parking lot. aw i miss oakland. =(
Yeah I've been to the Goodwill ones b4, but I always get confused. There are two trucks in the parking lot, one is called El Grullense and the other is Mi Grullense. Do you know which is better/ are they the same?
,,,i co-sign on the one e14th & high--many a high school memory driving down there during open lunch....
how are there no taco trucks in san diego?? that doesnt even sound right....
& I don't trust the Mexican food out here (NYC) anyway...i was warned before i got here, and have tried it twice since i've been here and have been completely disapointed..
i appreciate this post cause ive had some LA people hate on me about the bay area mexican food not being good (i dont even understand why one could tell mistruths like that)...anyway, from growin up in the bay, to going to undergrad in LA (we had a taco truck ON CAMPUS), this life without mexican food in NYC is really hurting my feelings...
FYI, Burritos are Mexican. However, they are not soo popular all over Mexico like they are here. The Burritos from Mexico are a lot smaller and are mostly popular in the northern region part of Mexico, like in the states of Chihuhua, Sonora and Sinaloa. The only reason why I know this is b/c I go on a road trip to my parents home town every year, and we stop like seriosuly in every town to eat...
...Mi Grullense & El Grullense Taco Trucks are from the same people, they just have two trucks b/c of "popular demand," according to them. These were my 2nd favorite, but have become my 1st since Tio Juan Taco Truck on Foothill, left that location! :(
of course i would have to say that the hot boys carwash taco truck is my favorite just because of all the memories but i would have to agree with Vane and say that the goodwill parking lot trucks are the shit. they make a good ass taco
but then again i must agree with my cousin choublak about the high st one because i remember a few late nights stopping by there after a couple study groups. nothing like a late night burrito...
definitely have to PREACH on the E22nd taco truck for my carnitas tacos, on the late nite, WIT some HELLA good HORCHATA thank you very much.
As for the San Diego scene...that mess is alright if you go to the lil late nite spots around Ocean Beach area...they got 5 rolled tacos or sunset rolls that are OFF tha hook. but on the real they got WAAY too many "Rubios" or "La Salsas"-or GRINGOS is what i like to call em-so i stay comin back to my good ol town taco trucks. Matter of fact, Ima go grub on some right now... SUCKS FOR YOU folks in NY! lol jk. i say the next time you come back home, my treat. its well deserved simply for this article and the yummy pictures. that NPR talk was funny too, that girl said she's too old and too white to be out there joinin the after parties at the taco trucks...thats gon be me later in life still hittin up the trucks, feindin. :)
My fav is Tacos Sinaloa at 22nd Ave and East 14th., too. But now I'm seriously hungry, and I have to try out those others listed (E14th and High St. is right near Home Depot and Economy Lumber, two of my frequent stops)
if your gona eat at da 54 burrito truck you HAVE TO GET THE STEAK CHEESE FRIES!!!!!!! or go the the truck on 81st and e14 they will add nacho cheese on anything you order
I can't believe nobody's mentioned Guadalajara! Home of the "secret" 14" burrito, this truck is on Fruitvale ave. by the bart station and the train tracks (i think San leandro ave. is the cross street.) I usually mess with a plate of 4 tacos, 2 al pastor and 2 Lengua (cow tongue). This spot is a jewel for it's little things, like the radishes and packet of jalapenos/carrots that accompany every dish. Ah the joys of home. Oh, and Chipotle and all those other GRINGOS (as AlleyTownCat so aptly put) are bootsy as hell.
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