El Taquito - Pasadena

By REZA SAYED

In L.A., when it gets dark and cold, it also gets empty. So at 1AM, it’s comforting to see the glowing oasis that is a parked taco truck, piping out steam, and surrounded by happy people.

As I approached the truck, I heard it playing music: the soundtrack from Rocky IV. One of the food preparers was rocking out to "Hearts on Fire", which plays during the movie's training montage. Except, this guy wasn’t training to fight Ivan Drago, he was however, doing something just as epic: preparing the garnish for the well known $1.25 tacos of the El Taquito taco truck. If food absorbs the energy of the cook, this was a good sign. He looked happy, pumped up by the beat. In fact, everyone was happy. People from all walks of life walked up to the truck. Entire families parked their cars and kids ran around the lot. We weren’t actually there at 1 AM this time, we were there at about 10 PM, well before the post-night club rush that usually begins 3 hours later.

The taco menu shows:

-Carne Asada
-Al Pastor
-Carnitas
-Chicharon
-Lengua
-Cabeza
-Pollo

The carne asada taco is simple and perfect. The meat is citrusy and juicy with charred black edges and hints of garlic. The tart, smokey flavor of the meat, the cilantro, and the crispy chopped onions are all held together with two corn tortillas. Yes, El Taquito doubles up on their tortillas the way a good taco place should. There is a good balance of meat and other parts of the taco. Perhaps the tacos have a little too much meat, but this is way better than too little meat, as is a habit of many other taco places.

Across from the truck, there's a bench where friends gather, each balancing a fine presentation of street gourmet in one hand and devouring tacos with the other. Next time you're in Old Town, skip King Taco's boil-in-a-bag and head East on Fair Oaks for some real street tacos.


Yelp!: http://www.yelp.com/biz/el-taquito-mexicano-truck-pasadena
Info: 510 S. Fair Oaks Ave.
        Pasadena, CA 91105
        (626) 577-3918