"Street" Tacos

There is an allure to the simplicity in nature of a street taco, hands down.  Its a proven fact just by the volume of consumers.  A night out, especially one full of beautiful women, cold beer, and naked tequila, cannot be cap-stoned in my mind without staggering to a new taco truck for Tacos al Pastor.  The way the skin of the meat is charred just right so the juices stay until bursting with each bite dancing with a medley of the quick bite of peppers, the sweet crunch of onions, and the natural tinge from fresh chopped cilantro all wrapped in a double decker duo of corn tortillas made just a few seconds ago by a masa-specialist!  Seriously my mouth is watering just thinking about them... that of course and the idea of reliving those nights!  I should give those ladies a call.

Okay seriously, I can't get side tracked like that because that is an easy slope to fall down into.  Back to the street tacos.  Oh they are just so simple and in Texas it is not hard to find a great truck, cart or even open air taqueria.  One of my personal favorite spots has to be this place off Telephone Rd in Houston.

Walking into this half open air taqueria named just "taqueria" is a wonder from the beginning.  The place is always busy for two main reasons.  The first of which, of course, are the tacos.  And they are extraordinary! By the way know Spanish or you are not getting anything to eat.  These tacos meet all my standards, the homemade salsas, fresh garnish and perfectly charred meat plus they come with an added bones, the second reason why I come.  THE SHOW!

I am a firm believer that people watching is not rude, in fact, it is justified!  It gives insight into the human ideal and can teach us all more about the world.  I want to feed the world naturally, so I watch!  This place, get this, is also an immigration office!  Lawyers are set up with a single fax machine/laptop combo with a line of families trudging suitcases all the way to the door.  And what is in their other hands?  THOSE FANTASTIC TACOS!  WELCOME TO AMERICA!! HERE'S A TASTE OF HOME!  This place is a cultural mecca and honestly I have learned more about Hispanic American culture in the dozen or so trips to this taqueria than the years I spent in Spanish class 10+ years ago!

Just these memories have inspired me to go on my own journey into the land of tacos.  I dabble a bit but I am going to take this bull by the horns!  I went and picked up the tortilla press this afternoon and I am ready to go; my hands got far too tired last time I made several dozen tortillas without one.  And now its time to swing for the fences!  I might even tackle the churro, my cruel Latin mistress who fills my dreams every night even though I despise sweets!

Who knows what path this will take me down but I hope it ends me in a place with a smile like those newcomers to America; standing, awaiting anything, with one hell of a taco in my hand!!