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

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

Taco's Estilo! Taco Truck ~ Wilshire Center, Los Angeles

So I get back into my car after eating at R & R and find another taco truck on the opposite corner.  How great is LA?!  Two taco trucks within walking distance from each other.  Simply amazing.

Taco's Estilo!

"Dos taco's de asada, por favor, para aqui."  I says
"No asada." says taquero
"Uhhh, Carnitas then."
"No carnitas sir."

Hmmm, I think to myself, maybe this place is really good, considering they're out of 2/3 of the "Holy Trio".  So I order two pastor tacos instead.

First off, they give me one tortilla for the taco.  Totally took me by surprise.  Second, they there was an over abundance of cliantro.  I really don't mind both of those too much, but once I took that first bite of the pastor...I realized that this place is really  mediocre at best.  The flavor was standard pastor, but nothing worth writing home about.  The taco didn't fall apart, despite the single tortilla, and the cilantro wasn't as strong as I thought it would be.  The only thing that really stood out was their salsa roja.  Whooo weee it was hot and spicy and delicoius! Their only saving grace in my book.

I'll be giving them another try, and hopefully I'll get my asada and carnitas tacos instead..  

Pro's

-Salsa roja

-Chairs and table by truck

Con's

-Ran out of the popular meats early

Taco's ~ 1.25

Taco's Estilo! ~ SE corner of 3rd and Vermont Ave.  Los Angeles, CA  90004

R & R Taco Trailer ~ Wilshire Center, Los Angeles

You think you've seen it all, then you run into a taco stand like this...

First off, is that an LED scrolling sign. HOLY SHIT.

OK WAIT. IS THAT KOREAN?! IS THAT A FROG? WTF?!

Seriously, I FUCKING LOVE THIS.

R & R Catering - Taco Trailer

I had initially planned for a taco nightcap at Yuca's while in Los Feliz, but after I found it closed, I took the long way home, knowing I would inevitably run into a taco truck or two.

While stopped at the corner of 3rd and Vermont, I see what looked like a taco truck, but had Korean scrolling on the LED. Then the magic word appeared...TACOS.

*al Pastor & Carne Asada

A definite plus about this place is they serve their tacos without any toppings, their salsa bar being well stocked.

These were some good tacos. So good that I didn't even need to put salsa on them.

R & R's pastor is definitely above average. The seasoning was right on and very memorable, with a tenderness and juiciness that added an experience that I could simply describe as happiness.

*Wow, look at that juice. Seriously guys, click on these images because I finally have them linked to their bigger and better versions.

Like their pastor, the asada came proper. Definitely not the best I've ever had, but an asada that is stable. I feel like R & R's asada is like that stable friend who will always be there when you need him.

The flavor was standard. A simple marinade of lime juice and herbs & spices, and cooked to tenderness, with no charred crispy edges.

So, how about that sign huh? I've never seen anything like it. I'm sure there's a couple of you who will not be surprised...but you know what? This taco lover is...and if I'm back in the area, I'll make sure to give this place a visit...if not for the taco's...at least to see what other shennanigans they might pull to lure future customers.

Pro's

-Friendly service

-Salsa bar

-Open late

-Catering service

Con's

-Hmmmm....can't think of any?

Taco's ~ 1.25

R & R Catering Trailer ~ NW corner of 3rd and Vermont Ave Los Angeles, CA

Rendon Taco Truck ~ Visalia, CA

I don't even remember the last time I ate a taco truck in Visalia.  Yet, they are around.  It's usually the blue collar people of Visalia who know where to find the good ones.  Road workers, ranch hands, construction workers and Mexican migrant workers alike, the trucks seek out these laborers daily.  Can't hate that.  If you don't have time to go off your site for food, they bring the food to your site.  It's genius.  I have a couple friends who are of said type, and they have nothing bad to say of the taco truck.  If anything, they love it.  The food comes to them, trucks are well equipped, and the prices are on the cheap.  Any red blooded, working-class American can agree with me on this.  

God Bless this country.  And God bless the taco truck.  

Rendon

Now, I know here in LA when you go to taco stands and trucks, you feel like, "hey, look at me, I'm getting down and dirty, like I was in Mexico!" or some BS like that.  Maybe not exactly that, but there's a mystique about eating at these places.  The experience is raw, you feel like an animal, or at least like your average hardworking Mexican-American.  And this taco truck in Visalia didn't fall anywhere short of that experience.  If anything, being at a place like this actually did put me in that mind set, the broke, hardworking American who just wants to eat his food, drink his beer, fuck, and go to sleep.  Wait, nevermind, I am that person. 

*Two Carne Asada Taco's

I really can't find anything bad to say about this place, besides it being 15 mins away.  With that said, everything was spot on.  They gave me my taco's with nothing on it.  PERFECT.  They had a salsa bar on the side that was legit.  Everything you'll find at a top notch spot here in LA.  They even had guacamole.  Not the salsa either...straight up guacamole.  Sometimes I can't stand places that don't have these bars, then when you get your taco's "con todo" (with everything) sometimes you want more cilantro, or more roja.  And guess what?  There's no salsa bar to have your taco exactly how you want it.  Not the case with this truck.

I think they chop the carne while its on the griddle, so by the time it hits your plate they are in little beef bits on your tortilla.  The flavor and juiciness was right on.  Perfectly seasoned and not too salty, proper asada style.  And the juiciness?  Check the top picture.  You can literally see the juice oozing from the meat.  The portion of carne on the taco was also noteworthy.  Probably one of the most filled taco's I've ever had, without tortilla break, thus far.  

Conclusion?  Seriously?  Do I need one?  Ok, I like this place.  No, I loved it.  I will go back and try out whatever else they have to offer.   Maybe the buche?  Hahaha, maybe another time.  I'll stick with the trio.

Pro's

-Salsa Bar

-Outdoor covered seating area with lights for night time

Con's

-15 min's out of central Visalia.  

Taco's ~ 1.25

Rendon ~ old highway 63, 10 min's north of the Oval, Visalia,  CA  93291

Paloma Selestial & Tacomiendo pt 1 ~ Culver City

I finally made my way to Tacomiendo last night.   LA Taco and Bandini at Taco Hunt make this place sound like a fuckin treasure chest here in the westside.  But on my way there a parked taco truck piqued my interest.  Look's like taco's before my taco's tonite.

Paloma Selestial

Talk about piss poor experience.  This place had the potential to really make my night, even more so than Tacomiendo could have.  The truck itself wasn't decked out with a fat mural of an Aztec warrior or anything, but it had the essentials.  Buche, cabeza, lengua, asada, pastor, pollo and even pescado taco's.  It had drinks on ice and an assortment of sides like chips and candy and such.  I order my taco's (dos taco's de asada) and wait quietly by the side while two mexican's eye me like, wtf is this guy doing here?  Is he mexican or something? He's brown so he might be.  Anyways, I get my taco's and take a seat on the curb and experience some poorly done taco's.

As you can see, this place has potential to make some good taco's.  But mediocrity becomes them.  The meat came to me cold.  I got two different salsa's, which were basically shit when compared to the greats.  On top of that, I think this place gave me the shits.  Come on now?  Really?

Pro's

-Potential for improvement

Con's

-Gave me the shits.

Taco's ~ 1.25

Paloma Selestial ~ Inglewood Blvd in front of Braddack Center, Culver City, CA

Tacomiendo

I was really excited when I arrived at Tacomiendo, especially after that shit show at Cemita's.  As I walk in I see a girl at the window making tortilla's.  Homemade tortillas!  So.Fucking.Awesome.  From previous research, I knew the taco's were big, so I just grabbed one carne asada taco.

Waiting for my taco's, I headed to the salsa bar to get my shit straight before my meal hit the table.  It had the essentials, pico de gallo, a verde/pico de gallo hybrid, a smokey salsa roja, and onions and cilantro, also the other shit I usually dont touch.  

Everything here seemed cooked to order, a plus.  But when I finally took that bite, the meat was on the dry side.  But at least it was hot.  The charred edges really added another flavor to the meat, a good thing, tasted like fire from the grill ya know?  

The homemade tortilla wasn't as hot as I would've liked.  Maybe that's why I wasn't so impressed by it.  After all the raving about it on the net, I expected a bit more.  

The salsa roja had a smokey flavor with a delayed heat reaction, tasting it in my mouth even after I left the place.  The salsa verde/pico de gallo collab was really good.  It was a nice topping that cooled down the lean grilled asada meat. 

Overall, I would have to give this place a 3 outta 5 mexican worker mark.  Even after my shitty experience with Paloma's, you would think a place like this with said qualities would have blown my mind.  But it didn't.  Maybe another night Tacomiendo.  

Pro's

-Homemade Tortilla's

-Free Beans at salsa bar

-Generous sized taco's

Con's  

-Chips were a bit on the hard side.

Taco's ~ 2.50

Tacomiendo ~ 4502 Inglewood Blvd.  Culver City, CA