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Tuesday, April 28, 2009

El Taquito Mexicano Truck in Pasadena

My family and I have been on a Mexican food eating binge lately. We've been wanting to try out this taco truck in Pasadena for the longest time after my cousin heard good things about. Finally, after a nice day of hiking in Altadena, we stopped by this place on the way home to grab some tacos. Food trucks are always in my mind risky business in terms of health code adherence, but that's never stopped me from eating at any establishment. This truck is located in a small parking lot, so park on the side street and walk there.

Once you get there, you'll be greeted with the nicest servers. We ordered some tacos al pastor (marinated pork tacos) and some tacos carne asada (beef). The cousins also ordered some lengua (tongue). We asked for red sauce, which is the spicy version.

These tacos are authentic and bare bones. They were on the small side, so I'd say we had to eat 3 or 4 to get full. Still, four tacos come out under 5 dollars, so this is still a good deal. Our carne asada tacos were delicious, the meat being quite tender and cut up nice and small. This made it easy for the kids to eat. I will have to say that I was expecting real salsa, and not hot sauce. Although I love fire, the hot sauce was a tad too spicy and there was too much on each taco. This overwhelmed the tacos somewhat. Next time, I will go with the milder green sauce or order the sauce on the side. And don't think I made the kids eat the hot sauce. I left it out for them.

The tacos al pastor has more flavor since they are marinated, and again, the hot sauce overpowered the meats. But the meat was nice and tender. The cousins like the lengua too. By the way, the servers asked us if we wanted radishes with the tacos, and we declined.

This taco truck opens up towards the evening hours until the wee party hours, so don't try to come here for lunch. Do come for solid quality, back to basics tacos.

El Taquito Mexican Truck is located at 510 S. Fair Oaks Ave. in Pasadena, CA (626) 577-3918

14 comments:

Jenn said...

Thanks for this write-up. Their tacos look delish!!

I've got to stop by one these day. I'm usually around that are once a week.

imjustatree said...

that salsa roja looks dee-licious! gotta love the taco trucks...will be trying this out. btw, i've read/heard kogi truck has been coming to rowland heights for the past couple weeks

Food For Tots said...

Delicious-looking tacos!

Sandy said...

I just wish they had added cheese or something. I definitely agree that the sauce was tooooo spicy but the meat was so soft and tender! Great, authentic place overall.

YEEEAAAAH. I keep hearing about the Kogi Korean BBQ truck everywhere! I heard it's really good and the wait is ~2 hours. I want to try it and see what the hype is all about!

EatTravelEat said...

Delicious looking tacos! They look much better than what I had at a festival. One of the places were selling tortas and I got the al pastor, and the meat sure didn't look as juicy and delicious as the al pastor here!

shavedicesundays said...

Jenn, yeah try it!

Sawyer, I've heard that Kogi has been coming out here, but the lines are still not doable for us with the kids. Do I have to wait until 5 years before I can go? Argh. I wonder if I can just get my cousins to pick some up for me.

Food For Tots, it was a very good dinner.

EatTravelEat, which festival did you go to?

Jen Jen said...

I woud've enjoy the tacos more if it wasn't that cold. I didn't really like the lengua, my favorite is still the carnitas.

shavedicesundays said...

Jen Jen, I guess I need to try the carnitas next time.

shavedicesundays said...

fourxseasons, check out Sawyer's blog on the Kogi truck. Let me know how it goes if you go. It'll be a while before I can.

Chubbypanda said...

Some of the best food comes from those trucks. Tiny tacos make me sad unless they're dirt cheap. =D

Unknown said...

Shavedicesundays,

I was at the Baldwin Park band festival during autumn during that time. It was a rainy day so that may or may not have also impacted their cooking!

shavedicesundays said...

Chubbypanda, I agree with points one and two.

WSL98787, ahhh I've never heard of such a festival.

joanh said...

mmm... If only there was anything close to real tacos in Taipei, it would make me so happy.. but I'll just have to count the days until I get back to Taipei.

shavedicesundays said...

joanh, no tacos in Taipei? you need to open one!