Taco Vans on NW 10th Street

[metro]

Fortunately this is not a food review but a rather weird observement. Since I've bought a condo in Midtown, I occasionally drive down the old 10th street cooridor between downtown and I-44. Every weekend and some weeknights there are what I call "Taco Vans" on the corner of NW 10th and Penn and another one in the Whittaker's parking lot on 10th and May. They are big vans (similar UPS style trucks) selling taco's out of a window in the back of the truck. Weird!

[escan]

Actually Metro, in a moment of cerveza induced decision making,I stopped at one. YUM! They have little carne asada tacos that are similar to the Taco Perico that used to be on NW 16th and Meridian. VERY authentic and yummy.

[metro]

Escan, did you stop at one of these on nw 10th?

[escan]

Well, they used to e on 15th and May, but had to leave(I'm assuming because they didn't have a health department certification), but I think it's the same one that's in that scary Whittaker's lot.

[Midtowner]

Escan, were you drinking and driving?!

Now tell the truth....

[escan]

Nope....husband was giving me a lift and I said, "Stop! Let's try that!" He declined (proof of sobriety) until I had eaten one and pronounced them wonderful!

[Martin]

ugh. maybe the beer helped kill off some of the bacteria? maybe the food tastes good, but i'm not sure that i'm brave enough to try! -M

[escan]

Oh come on mmmm....where do you eat on vacation? I've eaten all thru the Caribbean, Central America and Mexico....maybe everyone is just more adventurous on vacation??? I've seen the kitchens in some restaurants that people here eat in all of the time...ick!

[mranderson]

Fortunately this is not a food review but a rather weird observement. Since I've bought a condo in Midtown, I occasionally drive down the old 10th street cooridor between downtown and I-44. Every weekend and some weeknights there are what I call "Taco Vans" on the corner of NW 10th and Penn and another one in the Whittaker's parking lot on 10th and May. They are big vans (similar UPS style trucks) selling taco's out of a window in the back of the truck. Weird!

Have you ever heard of a "Roach Coach?" Same thing.

[ksearls]

I would (and have!) risk my life for a real Mexico-style taco. I know those trucks give the Health Department fits but I'm not afraid!!

Speaking of which, I visited the Buy for Less Mexican Deli on 36th & Mac that was written up in the Saturday Oklahoman. If you like real Mexican food, this is a great place to get it to take home. Tamales everyday, that awesome, greasy pulled brisket for real tacos and daily specials such as chili rellenos and mole. The little Mexican ladies there cook it all! It rules! also a real Mexican bakery!

Escan, I have a secret mexi joint, email me sometime!

[metro]

ksearls, I'll have to check out the Buy For Less sometime. I'm not afraid to try stuff like that and I trust your judgement.

[diesel]

I would (and have!) risk my life for a real Mexico-style taco. I know those trucks give the Health Department fits but I'm not afraid!!

Speaking of which, I visited the Buy for Less Mexican Deli on 36th & Mac that was written up in the Saturday Oklahoman. If you like real Mexican food, this is a great place to get it to take home. Tamales everyday, that awesome, greasy pulled brisket for real tacos and daily specials such as chili rellenos and mole. The little Mexican ladies there cook it all! It rules! also a real Mexican bakery!

Escan, I have a secret mexi joint, email me sometime!

Whats the secret mexi joint?!!? Tell all!! I have one too

[metro]

Eataroundokc.com, I'd like you to do a "Shady Restaurant Review of the Month" on one of the taco vans that appear around the city, usually at night and on weekends. There are several along NW 10th between May and Penn.

[FRISKY]

On weekends there are dozens of those taco vans on SW 29 between Penn and May.

[tuck]

They are big vans (similar UPS style trucks) selling taco's out of a window in the back of the truck. Weird![/QUOTE]

Not weird at all. These "Taco Trucks" have become a fixture in many U.S. cities like Austin, San Antonio, San Diego, Portland and Raliegh, NC. Gourmet Magazine featured these cities and more in a huge report about 6 months ago. Some of the trucks are very primitive and beat-up, while the others are top of the line, big-time Taco Trailers.

I have been to the one on NW 10th that you speak of...worth the stop. I always get the Barbacoa Taco or Pastor (braised pork). My wife isn't a big fan, same reason the health dept. isn't, but I hit the brakes almost every time I see one of these in the city.

[sooners83]

I have been to the one off Britton several times (about a year ago) (kind of across from the old del rancho that is closed).
I think they only sell tacos and burritos. They are very cheap, small but very good. You can deal with them, one time I just said here is $10 and they gave me a ton of food!

I don’t know if they are legal (not the people the business) because I doubt the health department inspects them, but I don’t know.

They also had little cups of green hot sauce to pour on it…

As far as I can tell the only difference in the taco and burrito is one has cheese and the other doesn’t. They are just meat (maybe mixed with grilled peppers and onions) but no lettuce or stuff like that.

[jacodenn]

I would love it if they would set up in NW OKC. We used to have these "vendors" in San Diego. Good thing about them is they are authentic and inexpensive. As far as health concerns...I can't count all the times I have gotten sick at a Taco Bell.

[betts]

Any tamale vans? There are women who go around selling those, but I haven't seen them lately. They are the best tamales I've ever tasted.

[jacodenn]

betts...I lucked out there...we have two ladies in our apartment complex that make theeeeeee BEST tamales. And I can tell ya friend, they are gonna taste good while we are watching the game tonight!

[Dustbowl]

Any tamale vans? There are women who go around selling those, but I haven't seen them lately. They are the best tamales I've ever tasted.

The Roach Coaches are very good authentic mexi food. I have lived all over Mexico and have eaten in some places that look horrible, but taste great. I do the wagons around 16th and May. Never had a problem.

Tamales: There is a lady from the neighborhood that makes and sells great pork tamales and she is usually in front of Whittakers. Try them out. I was a sack boy at Whittakers in the early 70's, Brings back memories.

Also, the Shamrock gas station at NW 50 th and Portland sells burritos bigger than your head for $1.99. They are really good. Try that one also.

Quick tip: if they have lime wedges, pour them on the meat and it kills any bacteria that could be present. This is a tip from my Mexico travels.

[mmonroe]

Mexican Roach Coach??? I'll stick to BoBo's Chicken.

[Martin]

whoa there... bad advice. sprinkling lime juice on food isn't going to kill any significant amount of bacteria.

-M

[FFLady]

Have you ever heard of a "Roach Coach?" Same thing.

Is this because they only vendor at night??????

[ultimatesooner]

Mexican Roach Coach??? I'll stick to BoBo's Chicken.

where is Bobo's? I have heard several people mention this place

[jbrown84]

Why is it weird, metro??

It's no different than Bobo's Chicken. There's one of these usually at 16th and Drexel or 16th and May called Taco Sebilla.

I haven't eaten at one, but I think it's really cool and urban.