Gladi's & Carlita's Hot Lunch Truck ~ West LA

I believe this truck is parked here during lunch hours (11am-2pm) in front of a major commercial building.  It caters to the suits in the area, and the menu reflects that.  I of course, ordered two tacos (carnitas and asada).  But as I was checking the menu, I noticed a HUGE VARIETY, from pastrami sandwiches to teriyaki bowls, tacos to hot dogs.  This place was ready to go.

GLADI'S & CARLITA'S

The carnitas was of the roasted type...which means they stew it for a long time, but then roast it in attempts to give it a crunchy outer surface.  They did an ok job on not OVER roasting, yet it was a bit on the dry side.  Nothing a little salsa roja and lemon couldn't help.  The flavor was actually pretty good, despite they dryness.  You could definitely taste the long hours in the crock pot.  A very filling taco, also.  They packed that bitch.

The carne asada was pretty standard.  Not much flavor to it but they prepared it really good.  Tenderly cooked with a little bit of juice from the griddle.  Again, the salsa roja and lemon really helped out.  

Now, here are my qualms.  The tortillas they used were TERRIBLE.  The carnitas and asada weren't exactly my definition of juicy, dry store bought tortillas did not help this taco one bit.  They reminded me of Guerrero taco tortillas, good size, but once you heat them up, they get a bit hard and don't keep the heat.  By the time I got to my second taco it was cold, dry and a bit on the hard side.   They were really heavy, and not to mention they used two tortillas; they probably would have been better off using one tortilla.

Second, if you're looking for authentic mexican, this is not your place.  Like I said, they cater to the SUITS in the area and their menu and flavors reflect that.  Not the bold and flavorful stuff that leaves your breath smelling of a mexican kitchen.  Too bad...because that's the shit I love!

PS-The couple working the truck (maybe Gladi and Carlita?) were VERY nice to me.  This truck does have potential, I will be back to try out one of their breakfast burritos because of them.  

Tacos ~ $1.50

Gladi's & Carlita's ~ La Grange Ave. &  S. Bundy Dr.  West LA  90025

Yuca's ~ Los Feliz

One of the perks of being unemployed is almost all obligation is thrown out the window, which leaves you with an open calendar to do what you want, when you want.  I can wake up at 11 am because I don't have to go to work.  I can take my time from point A to B, because I'm in no rush to get to work, or to get home from work.  Also, if someone offers, "Hey, wanna go to the dodger game on monday? At 12:30?"  I don't have to say, "Awww shit, I have work!"  

Yeah, it sucks not having a job, but hey, gotta look at the bright side, right?  Anyways, this opportunity presented itself and instead of saying "aww shit I have work," I said, "YES."  

Awesome huh?  What's even better is that friend (Cori) lives in Los Feliz, which automatically meant that my head, and stomach, was thinking, "Oohhhh Jason, Yuca's afterwards!?"  Yes sir, Mr stomach...Yes sir!"

Here are some pics of the Dodger home opener, just for the record...

*Apparently, being handicapped means you can get drunk and trash the p.lot also.

YUCA'S

Apparently we were eating at the right time, this place being a HUGE favorite among all the hipsters and locals to the area.  Something like 25-30 min waits for food and long lines during the lunch hours.  Ouch, is this place really worth it?  Not to mention Yuca's received first place in LA Tacos March Madness tourney.  They even had a certificate on the window.  Hmmm, we'll see about all this hoopla.  

*Once again, note the Jeep in crucial parking.

The menu is simple:  tacos, burritos, sandwiches, tortas and hamburgers..  hamburgers?  Apparently they're good because I saw a couple patrons munchin down lookin all happy and shit.  One thing that really blew me away about this place is they have cochinta pibil!  Mmm mmm mmm, I had some of this goodness while I was in Tulum, Yucatan, where this dish is originated.  Knowing I had the real thing, I was a bit curious and ordered it along side with a carne asada taco.  

Let's start with the asada.  This is very different than what I am used to.  I'm sure many eastsiders would agree, this taco is made for the area...fresh, lean and lacking in that bold mexican flavor.  

BUT, I still enjoyed it very much.  The carne is grilled and reminded me of the steak you would eat at Tender Greens.  This is a good thing.  They use a flank steak and is seasoned simply with salt and pepper.  The tenderness was very different in that it was "grill" tender, like a soft chewy bite that reminded me of eating at a friends BBQ or a fresh organic restaurant.  Once again, think Tender Greens.  They then top it with a pico de gallo which added extra freshness from the tomatoes, all sitting on top of two big size homemade taco tortillas that were soft and aborbed and kept heat very well.  This was a good taco.  You don't get that bold mexican flavor, but more of that California fresh flavor that's all about simplicity that emphasizes on the product, rather than added flavors that enhance.

I didn't know what to expect with the cochinita, but after I took that first bite, all doubt about this place was removed.  THIS PLACE IS GOOD.  REALLY REALLY GOOD.  

The proper way to cook cochinita pibil is buried underground, pibil literally meaning "buried."  I don't know if they actually roast the pig buried underground like tradition asks, but either way, this pork lived up to my standards, standards that were set in Yucatan, the motherland of this particular dish.  Super flavorful with the juices staining the tortilla for added flavor.  A perfect combination of savory, sweet, salty and hot.  The texture was perfectly soft and juicy from the long hours of heat, it was like biting into butter.  What more can you ask for?  This might have been one of the best tacos I've ever had.

Do I really need to say more?  If you're in this area, try them out.  There might be long lines, but if you have the time, you will be rewarded with some fresh mexican food.  Fresh mexican food that places like Baja Fresh and Rubio's is probably trying to mimic.  Once again, this is not your average authentic mexican restaurant with bold flavors.  This place is all about simplicity and perfection.  Me encanta.

Tacos ~ carne asada $ 2.25; cochinita pibil $2.00

Yuca's ~ 2056 Hillhurst Ave.  Los Feliz, CA  90027

Guillen's "La Playita" Taco Truck ~ Marina Del Rey

These guys are directly related to Mariscos Guillen La Playita off Lincoln Blvd.  I've done a review on their taco stand and wasn't so impressed with the calibur of meat tacos, them being a marisco place.  Yet I went with the two carne asada tacos anyways.  Ya, I'm stubborn.  

I get my tacos and took a seat next to the truck, on the sidewalk.  They came to me nice and hot, I knew they would because I was the only person there and I personally saw and heard them cook up my meat.  This is already lookin up.

I took my first bite and was thoroughly more impressed than with my first experience.  Cooked perfectly, and came tender and very juicy.  The carne itself probably had a simple marinade of salt/pepper and a dash of lime, but the salsa roja took the brunt of the flavoring, which added extra goodness to my palate.  The tortillas were white corn, store bought, but held heat great so by the time I was done with my first taco, my second was still nice and hot.  Another big plus.

Good Job La Playita!!  You just redeemed yourself in this taco lovers eye's.

Tacos ~ $1.25

Guillen's La Playita Taco Truck ~ Glencoe Ave.  in between Beach Ave. and Maxella Ave.  Marina Del Rey, CA  90292

La Isla Bonita ~ Venice

I was a bit sketch on going here.  I've been to Mexico and back, and had some great tacos everywhere in between, so going to a Venice taco truck had me a bit wary.  But, I had to check it anyways, a friend recommended it.  Thanks for the tip, Chili.

La Isla Bonita

As I'm driving down Rose, I see the truck in the distance, but it's parked like it was actually parked there...not serving food.  I was wrong of course...but check it.  It's a bit ridiculous, IMO.

I walk up and I automatically get the gringo treatment.  I start ordering in spanish, but chica responded in english, and in a sorta annoyed way, like, "why the fuck is this asian trying to order in my language?"  Bitch musta been on her RAG.  

"Gringo treatment."  *laffs*

Anyways, she starts to call out, "Dos tacos.."  But she remembers me being gringo and catches herself midsentence and finishs, "two carne asada tacos."  Damn dude, for some reason I'm feeling disrespected, and I'm trying to talk in her language!  Eh, whatever...It's Venice so I shouldn't be surprised.

Now, here comes something I've never seen before...

BAM!! 

I seriously start to laugh aloud when I see this.  I'm thinking, "WTF?!  Frijoles on my tacos?! Seriously?!"  

I'm open minded so I eat the tacos, beans and all.

Two carne asada tacos, from a marisco place at that.  I've already learned this lesson.  Don't get carne at a place where their specialties are mariscos.  I've always been the stubborn one though.  

I knew before I even took a bite that this was going to be a bland ass taco.  The coloring of the carne asada was greyish.  Greyish!?  hahah Proper asada should have a dark color, not a dark grey color.  The meat was cooked, meh...  It was cooked, but dry and flavorless. Now I know why they put frijoles on top, to add a bit of moisture to the meat.  The salsa was next to non-existent, and whatever was there didn't help out in flavoring up the taco.

Such a mediocre experience.  Once again, get the mariscos.  Don't even fuck with the meat.  I already knew from Chili Krauss (who's a pesca-vegetarian) that her fav's were anything with shrimp.  Too bad I'm not a shrimp guy...

PS - oh, and it being in Venice, they felt they could get away with charging an extra quarter more than most other trucks here in the Westside.  Bastard asses.

Tacos ~ $1.50

La Playa Bonita ~ Corner of Rose St. and 4th Ave.  Venice, CA  90291

  

LA Taco Trucks ~ KCRW

KCRW just shot a pilot for their new online video series titled, "Good Food."  What better way to pilot this series by doing it on one of LA's most treasured food icon's...LA's Taco Trucks!!

Here are some screen shots...

Taco trucks in Venice?!  Take a guess at which one they shoot.

my personal favorite of the video...I love that guy!

Click on the link below for the whole video!

LA Taco Trucks on KCRW's "Good Food"

Cemitas Tepeaca ~ East LA

Another interview in the bag, this time in East LA.  Ahhhh East LA!  You know what I was thinking the night before?  No, it wasn't what I was going to say at the interview, about how I would be a great asset to the company.  I was thinking about one thing, and one thing only...Where am I going to eat?!?! 

CEMITAS TEPEACA

I basically drove south from where my interview was at, turned left on Cesar Chavez (you know there's gonna be a shit load of Mexican fare on this street) and drove until I found a truck or a shop.  There were so many spots, literally, on every corner and on every block. It was like I died and was driving down Taco St. in mexican food Heaven.  

Caught this cool little mural while at a red light...

Finally, after just three minutes of driving, I see this...

BOO-YA!  Does that truck have a picture of baby Jesus flying in the sky?

I don't know if you can see, but that building in the background is Los 5 Puntos, the ever famous carniceria and market.  Apparently, they have some bomb.com.  They even made the the first round of LATaco's March Madness Taco Tourney.   A bit bummed I didn't go in, if I would've known they were a heavy hitter, I would have dumped this truck in a heart beat and checked out their famous carne asada.  Next time, if I get the job of course.

So I order two carne asada tacos.  Take a look see...

Took the picture of the tacos on a milk crate.  It also doubled as a chair.  

These tacos were really good.  The carne asada was well seasoned, with hints of cumin and chili powder, and was cooked to my personal preference, juice running down my hands and tender crispy charred edges on the asada.  Mmm mmm mmm.  The salsa roja added a spicy kick that took the taco to flavor heights I can only dream of recreating.  The tortillas were probably store bought, but I have a feeling they buy from Los 5 Puntos, and they make their own.  They aborbed and kept heat well.  There were even little crunchy parts on the tortilla (note the little browned areas).  

Now I know why so many people rave about the calibur of mexican food here in East LA.  It's mexican food, made by mexicans, for mexicans.  I'm pretty sure they could tell I was asian, but that didn't stop taquero from talking to me en espanol.  I respected and spoke back in common tongue.  

Look at me,  going all "native" n shit!  hahah.. Me encanta!

Tacos ~ $1.00

Cemitas Tepeaca ~ On the corner of E Cesar Chavez & Indiana St.  Los Angeles, CA  90063

Tacos El Grullo ~ Hanford

I need a job.  BAD.

I'm at the point where I'm looking for work back in Visalia, my hometown.  If any of you know about Visalia, then you know my hesitations.  It's hot in the summer, cold in the winter and a wasteland of drunk high schoolers, pregnant girls, and old conservatives hell bent on keeping any form of liberalism outta their city.  

Ok, I'm over exaggerating, but seriously, it's not my beloved City of Angels, where Mexican's crap delicious tacos for all us gringos to enjoy.  Where loving Obama makes you hip, not retarded.  Where people of different race and lifestyle are commonplace, not unusual.  

So, I made the trek, did the interview (hungover btw, a whole story on its own) and took a train back home to LA.  

But not without stopping at a taco shop first :)

Tacos El Grullo

Despite having a big breakfast and lunch, I forced myself to make a stop here before I got onto the train.  I did a review on the Tacos El Grullo in Visalia, which was not well received by this taco lover.  I made it a point to stop here at this Grullo since it is the first of the three restaurant chain.  Maybe this parent station is what it's all about.  

*two carne asada, one pastor, one pollo

"Where's the carnitas, Jason?  What's up with the trio?"  

Yeah, they were out.  Bastards...

I went straight for the carne asada taco.  I took the first bite and it brought me back to the Grullo in Visalia, and the initial problem I had with this place.  The meat was nice and tender, cooked perfectly with crispy edges but again, the marinade was a bit salty.  "Damn them! They did it again," I think to myself.  It's sad because everything else is so proper, but that saltines was just a bit too much for me, and I usually enjoy salty!  You know its bad when someone who likes salty, thinks food is too salty.  

The pastor was cooked proper and came nice and hot, but they over sauced the pork.  It's like eating a rib that's been marinated properly, but then basted with the marinade, and served to you with bbq sauce plastered on it.  They just plain out over did it.  Overkill.  Too much.  Take it ez, Grullo, I'd like some pastor with my sauce please.  

My dad ate the pollo, kinda pissed because I have a feeling it might have been the best of the four tacos.  

Again, a mediocre taco experience that left me wondering, "Why?"  They have everything going for them:  proper tortillas, proper cooking methods, good salsa, but terrible meat prep.  Over salted asada and over sauced pastor.  Terrible...(en espanol).

Tacos ~ 1.30

Tacos El Grullo ~ 314 W. Lacey Blvd  Handford, CA 93230  559.584.8436

Taqueria El Fogon ~ Playa Del Carmen

We arrived in Playa around the middle of the afternoon, tired from walking to and from a cenote, driving in a Collectivo (public transportion via a van), hauling our bags, finding a hostel, and finally dropping our clothes off at a lavanderia.  

Tired and hungry.  What a combo.  We find this spot on our way back from the laundry mat, and decided to get a little snack.  

TAQUERIA EL FOGON

This place was smokin hot (literally, smoke was permeating through this open air, no walled restaurant).  We decided to grab a table on the outside, away from the hustle and bustle of tourists and servers.  Spot White Godzilla in the picture??

"Puedo tomar una foto?"

Homeboy was cool about it.  

No chips?  This was already on our table when we sat down.  And no, we didn't get chips.  It was nice to have a little salsa bar on our table for our tacos though.  Oh, that green sauce = incendiary.

Matt and I split 4 pastor and 2 chorizo tacos.  The pastor was first up.  

Let me start out by saying the pastor came in super thin slices, probably because of how homebody slices from the spit.  On each taco they add a slice of the pineapple that is on top of the pastor while cooking.  Flavor?  It's hard to tell because the portions we received weren't that significant.  I was able to kill each taco in two bites, so add small tacos with small portions of pastor and really, I can't tell you if it was good or bad?  But I do remember being satisfied...and that's what really matters.  Not to mention I was tired and hungry, so I didn't really think about the flavor while om nom nom om om'ing.  

Would you just look at that?  Oh man that thing is making me salivate!!  We split an order of two chorizo's...one being good enough.  This taco was well portioned, and at one point I was eating droppings on the plate with my fingers.  The cheese had the texture of crumbled blue cheese, but it was a mild white ...similar to mozza or monterey jack.  The chorizo was super greasy and flavorful...like, really flavorful.  I've had some good chorizo...and this right here is one I won't be forgetting anytime soon.  

One more thing, take a look at the juicy running off that tortilla.  WOW.  If that doesn't make you chorizo lovers salivate,  I don't know what will.  

Overall, I'd come back just for that chorizo and cheese goodness.  And if I did order pastor, I'd probably get a burrito or a plate, so I could get a better portion.  Those tacos were just mini.

Pro's

-Pastor on spit

-Big menu

-Open air restaurant

-Salsa on table

Con's

-Shitty portion of pastor on taco

-Loud and rambunctious:  I was tired

-Gets really busy

-Slow service...it was really busy

Tacos ~ Pastor:  $14 pesos / $1.00 usd;  Chorizo and Cheese:  $24 pesos / $1.75 usd

Taqueria El Fogon ~ 8th and 35th  Playa Del Carmen, Mexico