Forever Taco Wheels

Submitted from Bobby Hanson

First I must say we are truley blessed to have many taco trucks within our fine Capital City of Des Moines. With that in mind my wife Kim and I set a foot for a Tuesday Night Taco Truck Tour. This is primarily due to all the ever lovin' taco photos lately here on the all mighty COC website.
 Where are most Taco Trucks in Des Moines? Easy. East Side and South Side respectively. First we hit Tacos El Paisa on Des Moines South Side. Located at the southeast corner of the Maury Street and SE 14th Street directly across from Ricketts Parts in a well shaded gravel lot. A shinney truck with friendly service from the girls inside.
 We orderd three steak tacos. Taco El Paisa tacos had diced beef with fresh cilantro and onion. Their red sauce was a little spicey and green was cool and fresh. We sat on the taigate, brought our own water and chowed. The atmosphere in the gravel lot was the best of our stops. Tacos were excellent. Lastly this lot has had a taco truck in it since the late '90's when I ate tacos long ago. I do not know if it is the same familia.

 Next we headed north to a spot that my wife and I have always called The Taco Wolf Truck. You can see why from the trailer. Actual name is Tacos El Guadalajara  Located at E. Universirty and Penn Ave.
 We again ordered three steak tacos. $1.50 each. Same as last stop. The meat was in bigger pieces with fresh cilntro and onion. The green sauce was hot. I like hot and this slapped the 'ol taste buds round. Tacos were fine and dandy. We gobbled them up pronto on the tailgate. As far as atmosphere it is a great intersetion to gaze out into. All kinds of traffic goons to make fun of. Extra bonus at this intesection. If someone in your group is not fond of mexican a neighbor has an Asian/Eggroll stand in his yard. No shit! 75 cent eggrolls. But thats another trip. We were prowling for tacos.

 We then back tracked south down SE 14th to Tacos Tarasco. South of the river at the intersection of E. Edison on the east side on SE 14th Street. A lone taco truck with satelite dish and a temporary power pole. Three more steak tacos on the tailgate. These were very good at $1.50 each. Must be the going price in town. The steak cut was in between the two previous taco trucks. Not to diced and not to big of pieces. These may have had the best flavor overall. Bonus. They came with a grilled jalapeno and onions on the side along with the usual fresh cilantro and onion on the t's. The green sauce was flavorful and mildly hot. mmmmm...

Full now and headed back west to our hood. What a great idea to explore the under belly of taco trucks here in Des Moines. I urge you to do the same my taco lovin' brothers and sisters.


Bobby