At the corner of South Park Victoria Drive and East Calaveras Boulevard, a green and orange truck pulls into a gas station parking lot. The sides of the truck are plastered with images of colorful dishes and drinks. There is a window just large enough to fit a plate of food through. Below it is a menu boasting prices all below $20, and next to the window is a “Cash Only” sign. With a simple folding table for seating, the truck is unassuming, but the food is delicious.
I ordered two different tacos: the tacos al pastor and the chorizo tacos. While both contain pork, the preparations make them strikingly different. The tacos al pastor contain chunks of pork and pineapple, and are topped with a generous amount of diced onions and cilantro. The meat is tender and remarkably fruity. The chorizo tacos are similarly decked out in diced onions and cilantro. The main difference is that the pork comes in the form of crisp, crumbled sausages. In both tacos, the heaps of vegetables, along with slices of radish and lime on the side, create a freshness that balances out the flavors perfectly; the tacos don’t feel greasy at all. Each order also comes with a side of salsa. The containers may seem small, but taste a bit to assess the spice level before pouring them on your food. While they are not the most flavorful, these salsas are quite spicy, even in small amounts. Though, the fact that they come separately is great news for those looking to customize the spice level of their tacos.
For the best taco-eating experience, I’d recommend ordering 4-6 tacos and eating them as soon as possible! Since the tacos are on the smaller side, fewer tacos may not be as filling. As for eating them quickly, I let some of the food get cold, and it wasn’t quite the same when it was reheated.
My experiences at the truck itself were also good overall. The staff was kind about my poor Spanish pronunciations, and the service was quick. Because of the truck’s location by a gas station, however, parking could become more limited and service could slow down during lunch or dinner hour. And while this review is focused on two specific tacos, the menu offers a plethora of other tacos and dishes.
In case you’re looking for a new place to try, Tacos y Tlayudas el Ejuteco is open until 10 p.m. If you’re anything like me, you’ll try the food, and come back the same day for more.
