407568 Sat Jun 02 20:42:09 -0700 2007 11 3 California 0 2624534 The Chowhound posts about Salinas street food ... many by Melanie Wong ... have made Salinas a destination for me next time I'm in that area. Here's a map for others who I know are interested in these wonderful and delicious vendors. http://maps.google.com/maps/ms?ie=UTF8&hl=en&msa=0&msid=108185290246656733987.00000112e99f91a2d353a&om=1&ll=36.677781,-121.635818&spn=0.058236,0.106602&z=13 Sadly these unique food vendors might soon be gone because Salinas wants to ban street vendors. It was my main reason for exiting the freeway and stopping in Salinas. I've already seen the Steinbeck Museum. and been to the rodeo. I haven't tried all the interesting street vendors in town. Anyone trying new street vendors, link your topic to this post and I will add to the map. You can also let me know of additions by using the email address on my profile (My Chow) page. There's an email address on the map link, but I won't check that as often. In the first reply of this topic there is a cheat sheet of all the information in the map as of this original post. It is subject to change and the best place to check is the Google map for the most current info. Sat Jun 02 20:42:09 -0700 2007 10264 rworange 1 2624535 Salinas Street Food There are 33 approved food trucks and 240 mobile vendors, which include ice cream push carts (paleteros), flower vendors and other street sellers ........ If you know of any great Salinas street food, send tips to salinasstreetfood@yahoo.com LA PERLA 1 715 East Market Street Overview: Very flavorful & fiery roasted tomatillo salsa. Cabeza is deliciously beefy and smooth. Good lengua cut into buttery chunks paired well with green salsa. Beef birria nicely spiced, but stringy Hits: cabeza, lengua, chicharrones, Misses: birria Hours: Unknown More info: http://www.chowhound.com/topics/85168#2193234 Truck Route: To be added MAYRA'S CATERING TRUCK Corner of Division Ave. & East Market Street, west of Sanborn Road Overview: Two small batch salsas de molcajete , the lighter-colored one more vegetable-like and savory and a smoky, redder, and more hotly spiced type, As demonstrated in the high quality of her artisanal salsas and the stewy red sauce, this talented woman is clearly a Maître Saucier or whatever the Mexican equivalent of that might be! Handmade-to-order tortillas are thick and chewy with real substance and deep corn flavor The gordita masa cake itself was dry-grilled, nicely charred. The fried pork crackling turned soft and spongy braised in a complex red chile sauce. Intense and flavorful, it was a bit damp and heavy, however still very enjoyable Grilled Mexican hot dog is nicely charred and wrapped with a slice of crisp bacon. Nestled in a soft toasted bun it is lightly topped with ketchup, mustard, mayo, onions & tomatoes. Self-serve thick avocado-tomatillo salsa & zanahoria en escabeche Hits: Mexican hot dog, gordita, salsas, tacos with home-made tortillas Misses: al pastor, adobada Hours: 1pm to 9pm (but often gone earlier) Phone/email: 831-757-3755 More info: http://www.chowhound.com/topics/407301 Truck Route: Unknown ANAYA PRODUCE TRUCK 712 E Alisal St Overview: Seasonal fruit including fresh citrus, tomatoes, melons, mangoes, other tropical fruits, nopalitos, etc Hits: No reports yet Misses: No reports yet Hours: Unknown Phone/email: 831-422-9437 More info: http://www.chowhound.com/topics/406894 Truck Route: To be added APATZINGAN CATERING TRUCK 223 Williams Rd Overview: The cabeza taco is piled high with glorious meat, coarsely diced and meltingly tender with the deep beefy resonance of meat roasted and plucked from the head. It was steaming hot and juicy too, scooped from the steamer tray, and garnished with chopped cilantro and onions, limes, and radish slices Hits: cabeza taco Misses: None so far Hours: lunch & 7pm – 11 pm at Williams Rd Phone/email: Unknown More info: http://www.chowhound.com/topics/406823 Truck Route: To be added – lunch route in industrial zone CATERING 3 MARIAS CART Next to the Walgreens on 575 N. Sanborn Road and possibly 700-block of East Alisal Street Overview: Tamales (pork, chicken, cheese/chili), elotes, and champurrado Hits: Average pork tamal and champurrado Misses: More reports needed Hours: 4:30pm to 9:30pm. Phone/email: Unknown More info: http://www.chowhound.com/topics/87847 Truck Route: To be added EL KIOSKO TACO TRUCK #1 Just west of Maritza's on 549 East Market Street Overview: The beef birria was better than the carnitas which were bland. Hits: average beef birria Misses: carnitas Hours: Evenings Phone/email: Unknown More info: http://www.chowhound.com/topics/361866 Truck Route: To be added EL KIOSKO TACO TRUCK #2 8 Williams Road Overview: This second truck serves breakfast foods and lunch items in Hollister (San Benito County) in the morning, then appears at this spot in Salinas at night Hits: lengua Misses: None so far Hours: evenings after 6 pm Phone/email: Unknown More info: http://www.chowhound.com/topics/361866#2620685 Truck Route: To be added JAQUEZ FAST FOOD SERVICE Next to J J's Auto Sales at 349 E Market St Overview: Hot Dogs, Champurrado, Elotes. The hot dogs on a grilled bun are accompanied with crispy bacon. A hot dog "con todos" is dressed with a squirt of mayonnaise, then piled with chopped fresh tomatoes and onions, two pieces of quartered jalapeño escabeche, relish, ketchup, mustard, and finally a squiggle of crema. These masterpieces are $2.50 each. The champurrado has a faint amount of chocolate and is very smooth and creamy with hardly any graininess Hits: Mexican hot dogs, champurrado Misses: None so far Hours: After 5 pm Phone/email: Unknown More info: http://www.chowhound.com/topics/390476#2469221 Truck Route: To be added JULIO VALDEZ E Market St & Ivy St Overview: Utterly delicious Mexican hot dog wrapped with a strip of bacon and grilled. A frank with everything includes mayo, mustard, pickle relish, chopped tomatoes, sliced mushrooms, and black peppery onions braised in butter and mustard, pickled jalapeños, raw onions, a squirt of crema. Also available grated cotija, and cheezwhiz The large fresh pork tamale has smooth, thick masa with the rich flavor of lard. The pork filling was shredded and hot in its spicing with harmonious flavors. Piñas had chunks of canned pineapple and currants. Hits: champurrado, Mexican hot dog, tamales Misses: None so far Hours: Evenings after 4 pm Phone/email: 831-235-1435 or 831-751-7984 More info: http://www.chowhound.com/topics/344164 Truck Route: To be added LA DAISY CATERING TRUCK Parked at the receiving office for Fresh Express on 900 E Blanco Rd Overview: The breakfast items, tacos and tortas are made fresh. The carne asada taco is made with chewy flank steak. The beef had a nice fragrance from reheating on the grill. Served on very thin and tender doubled corn tortillas with topping of finely shredded fresh cabbage. Self-serve condiments on a side bar included chopped cilantro and onion, salsa fresca,l tomatoes and a red and a green hot sauce Hits: carne asada taco, chorizo & egg breakfast burrito Misses: None so far Hours: Weekdays about 2pm – 4pm Phone/email: 831-759-8257 or 831-595-6578 cell More info: http://www.chowhound.com/topics/362038 Truck Route: To be added TAQUERIA MISTER TACO TRUCK Sun Street at East Market, next to the Cummunidad Cristiana de Salinas (West of Market Street exit from Hwy 101) Overview: Smoky, deep, lusty seasonings on the juicy pork al pastor with a bit of browned edges for contrast vs. the juicy, chewy dice of well-grilled flank steak azada . . . it's a toss up which was the better. These were topped with a very complex roasted red salsa along with fresh cilantro and onions. Tripas tacos - The pieces of tripas had crusty, crisp golden-flavored spots along the smooth muscle. Cut into longer lengths, the tubes of small intestines stayed tender and toothsome. Porky, earthy, and so good with the luminously vibrant roasted tomatillo salsa and very fresh dice of onion and cilantro. The doubled corn tortillas were very good quality too, heated with some oil on the flat top. Hits: tripas, al pastor, carne asada, cabeza, lengua, quesadilla de maiz Misses: None so far Hours: Unknown Phone/email: 831-794-2015 More info: http://www.chowhound.com/topics/361798 Truck Route: To be added TACOS COLIMA #1 201 Williams Road at the corner of E. Market Street next to Quality Market and Video Overview: Beef birria taco - Very juicy and flavorful long-braised beef, nice tortillas with toppings of chopped cabbage, onion and cilantro, plus cucumbers and radishes on the side. Nopalitos (cactus), mashed avocados en molcajete, roasted jalapeños, and fruity chile de arbol salsa gratis from the condiment bar took it over the top. Hits: beef birria taco, nopalitos Misses none so far Hours: 5pm – after midnight Phone/email: 831-754-2310 More info: http://www.chowhound.com/topics/405023 Truck Route: To be added TACOS EL GRULLENSE Across from the Aloha Motel on 235 Kern St south of East Market Street on motel row Overview: Operated by El Grullense restaurant. Self-serve salsas, carrots en escabeche, sliced radishes, lemon wedges, and soft braised onions. The other special thing here is the tortillas. The small tortillas had been grilled to bring out the fresh corn flavor. These have a bit of bubbly browning that gives them a roasted quality and a slight crispness. Carnitas--tender and juicy, drenched in an intensely-flavored broth, topped with a smoky, well-developed red sauce. The lengua was wonderful as well, full flavor, cooked just right, not mushy, again with a delicate napping of reduced pan juices. The grilled jalapeno garnish was lovely-- Hits: carnitas, lengua Misses: al pastor Hours: 11am to 7pm, 7 days a week Phone/email: Unknown More info: http://www.chowhound.com/topics/379614 Truck Route: To be added TACOS EL JALISCIENCE Abbott Pl & Johnson Ave (Across the intersection from East Romie Lane and Abbott Street) Overview: Owned by El Jaliscience Restaurant. Carnitas is highly recommended. Tacos come with a nice helping of jalapeño, carrots and red onions in escabeche and a lemon wedge. The garnishes of cilantro and onion were fresh as can be, but a few of the meats could be better. Hits: carnitas, Misses: tripas, cabeza Hours: Late morning & afternoon Phone/email: Unknown More info: http://www.chowhound.com/topics/362532 Truck Route: To be added EL TACO RICO 631 E. Market Street in front of Cliff's Tire and Battery Service Overview: buche, barbacoa de cabeza, sesos, birria, and more. Hits: More reports needed Misses: carne asada, barbacoa de cabeza Hours: Unknown Phone/email: Unknown More info: http://www.chowhound.com/topics/362203 Truck Route: To be added LA CHIQUITA TRUCK Parked in the lot of Joe’s Produce (201 E Alisal Street @ California Street). Overview: The menu displayed on the side of the truck only has a fraction of the types of meats available. Tacos are topped with a greater quantity of veggies (cabbage, cilantro, tomatoes, and onions) and a bit more meat than the norm and include a couple roasted jalapeños wrapped in foil as well as lime wedges. The best was the tender and succulent cabeza. The tomatillo salsa, flecked with charred black specks was excellent bursting with complex flavors and balanced heat. Tortas may be the item to try. Hits: cabeza Misses: carnitas, carne asada, lengua Hours: 7pm to 11pm, Monday through Friday Phone/email: Unknown More info: http://www.chowhound.com/topics/407405 Truck Route: To be added Original posts La Perla 1 Salinas Street Food http://www.chowhound.com/topics/85168#2193234 Mayra's Catering Truck Mayra’s Mexican-style Hot Dog (Salinas) http://www.chowhound.com/topics/407301 Salsa de Molcajete and Gordita @ Mayra's Catering Truck, Salinas http://www.chowhound.com/topics/362452 Anaya Produce Truck Anaya Produce Truck, Salinas http://www.chowhound.com/topics/406894 Apatzingan Catering Truck Cabeza Taco @ Apatzingan Catering Truck (Salinas) http://www.chowhound.com/topics/406823 Catering 3 Marias Tamal and Champurrado from Catering 3 Marias, Salinas, http://www.chowhound.com/topics/87847 El Kiosko Taco Truck #1 El Kiosko taco truck in Salinas, http://www.chowhound.com/topics/361866 El Kiosko Taco Truck #2 El Kiosko taco truck in Salinas, http://www.chowhound.com/topics/361866#2620685 Jaquez Fast Food Service Mexican-style Hot Dog al Jaquez (Salinas), http://www.chowhound.com/topics/390476#2469221 Julio Valdez Mexican-style Hot Dog al Julio Valdez (Salinas), http://www.chowhound.com/topics/344164 Tamales for Christmas: Julio Valdez (Salinas) and D'la Colmena (Watsonville), http://www.chowhound.com/topics/88546 La Daisy Catering Truck Taco Break @ La Daisy Catering Truck, Salinas, http://www.chowhound.com/topics/362038 Mister Taco Faster and Better (not quite Cheaper) at Mister Taco, Salinas http://www.chowhound.com/topics/361798 Tacos Colima #1 Birria and Nopalitos Taco @ Tacos Colima #1, Salinas, http://www.chowhound.com/topics/405023 Tacos El Grullense Tacos El Grullense truck in Salinas http://www.chowhound.com/topics/379614 Tacos El Jaliscience Tacos El Jaliscience truck in Salinas http://www.chowhound.com/topics/362532 El Taco Rico El Taco Rico truck in Salinas http://www.chowhound.com/topics/362203 Sat Jun 02 20:43:03 -0700 2007 2624534 10264 rworange 2 2626733 In Melanie Wong’s Salinas street food reports she has some stunning photos of the trucks, food and people who own those trucks. Those are now in a second map - Salinas Street Food Photo Tour. The pictures are all in one easy link. It is a good way to know what to expect when visiting these vendors If you click on this link, get some napkins first and be prepared to drool ... and maybe shed a tear that this piece of Americana might soon be gone. http://maps.google.com/maps/ms?ie=UTF8&hl=en&om=0&msa=0&msid=108185290246656733987.00000112f2830053e2e2b&ll=36.668557,-121.632385&spn=0.058105,0.106602&z=13 Sun Jun 03 22:16:41 -0700 2007 2624535 10264 rworange 1 2625156 rwo: what a wonderfully organized post. thank you. I agree that these vendors are a community treasure and should be protected not harrassed. Their convenient locations near jobsites and busy streets and extended business hours make them a complimentary, not competing, business form to the storefront taquerias. I can't wait to try some of these other vendors. I don't have a new location, just a repeat trip to comment on. Stopped at El Grullense yesterday coming south through Salinas from Aptos. It was as heady an experience as my first visit two weeks ago. The tender juiceyness of the lengua and carnitas (the reduced pan juices really make the difference) and the fresh corny flavor of the grilled tortillas make these snacks stand head and shoulders above any I've tried. El Grullense's location is definitely EZ Off/ EZ On, and there is always plenty of street parking just a few paces away. As Melanie described, there is a small bench against the freeway fence for waiting, or for eating your order. At $1.50 per taco, most of the young working men customers can put away a well-made and satisfying dinner of 1/2 dozen or more; I usually see their paper plates with 6, 8 or 10 tacos fanned out around the plate edge ready for garnishing at the condiment bar. I've seen many families pull up and get large take-home orders. I order mine para llevar, so I can 'bib up' in my car and eat where it is a bit warmer. My to-go plate was garnished with radishes and a roasted pepper, and already sauced, then wrapped in foil. I think the tortillas might suffer if kept in foil for too long. These best eaten on the spot. El Grullense buzzes with business at most times, yet there is never a speck of litter, not even a bottlecap, anywhere to be seen. The proprietor is always charming and gracious. A model that surpasses many bric-and-mortar places I've been. I hope someone stops and reports on the marisicos truck parked at the south end of that block of Kern street. Thanks again for the post rwo; a great resource. Sun Jun 03 09:01:52 -0700 2007 2624534 11234 toodie jane 2 2626817 Many thanks, rw, for creating these great guides! Ask and ye shall receive (sometimes). Here's my report on the El Compita mariscos truck on the corner of Kern and E. Alisal from one visit on April 12. http://www.chowhound.com/topics/407849 Also, a reader sent me these links about the street vendors' successful suit against the City of Santa Ana in Orange County which overturned the city's attempt to limit their hours of operation, as it failed to prove they threatened public safety. http://www.ocregister.com/ocregister/homepage/abox/article_1580989.php http://www.ocregister.com/ocregister/homepage/abox/article_1248334.php Sun Jun 03 23:31:19 -0700 2007 2625156 10039 Melanie Wong 1 2630300 Updating the street food thread with frozen treats, The Ice Cream Machine Truck (Salinas) http://www.chowhound.com/topics/408185 and two stands where you can buy elotes (in season), Cup of Elote @ Catering 3 Maria – East Market St., Salinas http://www.chowhound.com/topics/408232 and Elote al Julio Valdez, Salinas http://www.chowhound.com/topics/407832 At the January hearing, another consumer, "Jose Vara stated that the vendors provide fare that he may not be able to buy from a restaurant. Vendors are not an issue for the community, but for SUBA. The City can address unlicensed vendors. Many vendors only sell one item and would not benefit from an incubation program." I remember him using elotes as an example as something he could only buy from a street vendor. Wish I'd asked him who he patronizes. Edited to add: found my post on the original La Perla truck (which oddly is not enumerated as #1), http://www.chowhound.com/topics/362204 Mon Jun 04 22:25:49 -0700 2007 2624534 10039 Melanie Wong 2 2637892 How'd you add the little truck icons and burger/shake icons? I want to steal them for my Google Map of (obscure Eastern Jackson Heights, Queens) Street Food. http://www.chowhound.com/topics/388653 Thu Jun 07 06:22:27 -0700 2007 2630300 10089 Jim Leff 3 2638066 In edit, click on the picture of the icon in the upper right and there will be a menu of available icons. Fair play. I stole the idea from your street map. Those Google maps are great. If you ever want to add pictures in the text (icons are limited to menu though) , know the editor is extremely, to say the least, sensitive to hidden editing controls. Melanie's photos were just so good though http://maps.google.com/maps/ms?ie=UTF8&hl=en&om=0&msa=0&msid=108185290246656733987.00000112f2830053e2e2b&ll=36.668557,-121.632385&spn=0.058105,0.106602&z=13 Thu Jun 07 07:27:57 -0700 2007 2637892 10264 rworange 1 2664961 What an absolutely wonderful post. Thank you so much for all your hard work, both of you. Since I usually just read the SF Bay Area board, it took this NY Times article to make me look here. http://www.nytimes.com/2007/06/15/us/15taco.html Quote from Melanie at the end. I'll be stopping at El Grullense on my next trip down to Cambria. Fri Jun 15 17:27:47 -0700 2007 2624534 21736 moosechop 2 2910913 And if you should be passing through at a time when the truck's not in service, you can check out El Grullense's sit-down restaurant. Here's the thread, http://www.chowhound.com/topics/437459 Tue Sep 04 18:57:35 -0700 2007 2664961 10039 Melanie Wong 1 2738498 To add reports not mentioned: Fresh Garbanzo Produce Truck in Salinas http://www.chowhound.com/topics/408639 Taco de Carnitas @ La Perla truck, Salinas http://www.chowhound.com/topics/362204 Carne Asada Taco – Beto Catering Truck, Salinas http://www.chowhound.com/topics/408889 Saturday at the Old Town Salinas Market Place (and farmers market) http://www.chowhound.com/topics/408915 Tacos Acambaro Wagon, Salinas http://www.chowhound.com/topics/409736 http://www.chowhound.com/topics/409977 La Paloma http://www.chowhound.com/topics/409977 Mariscos Las Glorias http://www.chowhound.com/topics/409977 Mariscos El Kora Truck, Salinas http://www.chowhound.com/topics/419614 Guadalupe H. L. Ascencio Produce Truck, Salinas http://www.chowhound.com/topics/419593 El Peregrino Taco Truck, Salinas http://www.chowhound.com/topics/419748 Rogelio S. Coyt Produce Truck, Salinas http://www.chowhound.com/topics/419705 Zamudio Produce Truck, Salinas http://www.chowhound.com/topics/419119 Krystal’s Catering Truck, Salinas http://www.chowhound.com/topics/419841 Catering Acambaro Truck, Salinas http://www.chowhound.com/topics/419210 Wed Jul 11 01:36:44 -0700 2007 2624534 10264 rworange 1 2827907 A couple more: Vuelve a la Vida @ Tacos Colima #1 Truck http://www.chowhound.com/topics/429433 Noe's Churros http://www.chowhound.com/topics/423374 http://www.chowhound.com/topics/421216 Wed Aug 08 23:32:55 -0700 2007 2624534 10039 Melanie Wong