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

10 W ~ Santa Monica

DAT FIYA!!!

It's crazy that cop didn't stop us behind this burning inferno because as I was driving by the volvo was putting out mini explosions.  Pretty scary.  What's even worse, if you can notice her, is the bitch who's car is exploding is standing down wind in the midst of all that smoke.  Serious lady?  You know that shits not healthy.  

405 N ~ W.LA

BOMBED.

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

Tilamook Cheese ~ Culver City

Someone PLEASE bomb up this billboard.  Something that is beffiting of this wondrous cheese.

S. Centinela Ave.  in between Bristol Pkwy and Green Valley Cr.

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"

Crown Cleaners ~ West LA

On the corner of  Venice Blvd & Meier St.

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

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

La Playita ~ Santa Monica

It doesn't get much better than dominating at beer pong, then walking to a local favorite for a victory meal.  The tourney took place during the day time, but night soon took over, as well as our hunger.  I was told that La Playita was close to where we were at, not any longer than a 5 min walk.  Stoked?  Hell yes.  I'm so used to driving drunk to get food that this was a nice welcoming back to California from Mexico, where I walked EVERYWHERE.  

LA PLAYITA

You gotta love little mexican stands like these.  You walk up, order your food, there's no tables so you basically stand and eat your meal with the rest of the patrons to the stand.  It's a no fuss, straight to the point food experience.  THE PERFECT "fast food" when you're drunk.  

I wish I would've known before hand that this place's specialty are their mariscos (seafood), because I wasn't so impressed by the quality of their meat's.  The pastor was seasoned in proper style, with a tender texture, but nothing I would talk twice about.  

I could say the same about their asada, which came to me a bit flavorless.  Maybe it was because my taco came drenched in their salsa roja.  On top of that, they barely added any onions and cilantro for complimentary flavor.  

This brings me to an important point about how I personally like my taco's.  If you've read my reviews before, you know I absolutely love it when taqueria's serve you your taco's bare, only the tortilla and meat.  The next, and VERY IMPORTANT part to the equation, is having a fully stocked salsa bar at your disposal.  You add these two peices and what you get is a customizable taco that you yourself build to personal liking.  

But hey, I was drunk and this food was great at the time.  If I really think about it, of course I'm going to be able to find things here and there to down the place.  To stay on this wave of positivity, I was able to get a bite of their shrimp quesadilla from Cori, which was excellent.  Also, Nikki ordered their mixed ceviche, and it was well received..."sooo good" to be exact.  

Speaking of Nikki, do you always order like this?  

Nikki Pays for Dinner from Rick Blanca on Vimeo.

Pro's

-Marisco's

-Quick preparation

-Big portions

Con's

-Not good if you're looking for a relaxing sit down

-No salsa bar

-Taco's are not their specialty

*click to enlarge menu

La Playita ~ 3306 Lincoln Blvd.  Santa Monica, CA  90405  310.452.0090

Brisa Mexicana ~ Isla Mujeres

This fucking place.  God, I could turn this post into one fat rant about how bad mexico can be when it comes to taking advantage of tourists.  But I'm not going to do that here.  I'll stick to the food.  But I will add this.  FUCK BRISA MEXICANA!  If I could drop a bomb on you, I would.  Everyone there can suck my fat hairy balls.  

ps- The host was cool though, he came thru with a late night smoke out at our hostel's beach bar.  

BRISA MEXICANA

Located at one of the busiest intersections in downtown, this spot has the location bit in the bag. At night the downtown area comes alive with tourists walking the streets and hosts hounding everybody and their mom about coming into their restaurant to eat.  That's pretty much how this place got Matt and I.  I should have known better though, what happened to my criteria about eating at non fancy, hole in the wall spots?  Ugghhh sometimes I never learn.

While Matt felt like a burger and fries, I of course ordered three taco's de carne asada.  It seemed like a good idea in retrospect, but I should have followed suit with Matt and gotten the burger.  I heard many a praise about the burger throughout our meal, while all I could think about my taco's were, "Fuck, could they have cooked this meat any worse?"  Besides the poor cooking, I noticed something I've experienced before with other mediocre restaurants.  They tend to put a shit load of whatever on the taco to make up for how bad the food really is.  Brisa put way to much cabbage on top, the tomato was thick cut and big, and they overloaded the taco with that poor excuse of what they call "asada" on top of a single store bought quality tortilla.  

This place kills me.  I thought I would never run into a place of this calibur EVER while in Mexico.  Well, I guess I was wrong.  Thanks Brisa...for making me realize that even mediocre mexican food does exist in a country where good food is around every corner.  

Pro's

-Location

Con's

-Service

-They will take advantage of you if they can

-FUCK YOU BRISA

Three Carne Asada Taco's ~ $67 pesos / $4.50 usd

Brisa Mexicana ~ Isla Mujeres