578788 Tue Dec 09 16:29:41 -0800 2008 11 3 California 0 4233866 OK, so Salinas is a little south of the Bay Area but not too far south...right? Upon the recommendations and rumors posted on the California board, I had lunch today at Taqueria El Grullense at 976 Acosta Plaza in Salinas. I'm assuming this "El Grullense" is not part of a chain of other "El Grullense" Taquerias. Apparently this taqueria has a very good taco truck in Salinas as well. I had a Super-quesadilla carne asada with everything (avocado, tomato, lettuce) except sour cream. The carne asada was very flavorful, obviously used a great marinade of some kind for the meat. The tortilla was well grilled but not too crisped and all the fillings had a fresh flavor to them. Only problem was the small plastic fork was not up to the task to handle the immense quesadilla. Also the plate came with marinated carrots, chips (OK), good salsa, and some very nice lightly grilled (regular) onions. In any case this taqueria is well worth a detour if you are traveling up and down 101 or are in the Monterey Bay area (and are a fan of taquerias). Even if you live in the southern part of the Bay area and are particularly fanatical about taquerias, it's worth the jaunt down with a carload of folks. Seats, little atmosphere...but great food (and lots of it). Tue Dec 09 16:29:41 -0800 2008 76368 mikus 1 4234019 Yes, this is a super place, glad you enjoyed the food in my hometown. You'll want to try the carnitas next time. The prices at the taqueria are the same as the truck except that sales tax is not included, so you pay a little more but also have more menu selection and can take a seat at the table. Run by a nice family -- once when I was there with my dad and my back was turned placing our order, apparently he was having trouble with the zipper on his jacket and one of the owner's little girls came over and asked if she could help him with it. Tue Dec 09 17:30:27 -0800 2008 4233866 10039 Melanie Wong 2 4239034 If you click on the blue-lettered Places link for Taqueria El Grullense in my post above, you find the Places record and a google map. The map is expandable so that you can find the place. Acosta Plaza is next to the intersection of Laurel Drive and Sanborn Road. There are several ways to get there from 101, so you'll need to pick your own route from the map. Thu Dec 11 10:33:36 -0800 2008 4238865 10039 Melanie Wong 2 4242187 I believe the 101 signage for the Sanborn Rd. exit also mentions Hwy. 68 to Laguna Seca or Monterey Peninsula. This exit is between the exits to John St. and the Salinas Airport. Once off 101 head north on Sanborn. Fri Dec 12 11:48:04 -0800 2008 4238865 14515 Stephanie Wong 3 4242801 I don't think that's correct. Fri Dec 12 15:14:37 -0800 2008 4242187 10039 Melanie Wong 3 4359171 thanks--I recognize it now. Visualizing the exit I used to take to get to my mom's in Monterey via Blanco Rd, but turn left instead of heading west under the freeway. Same exit I use to get to Mi Pueblo Mkt. Mon Jan 26 12:25:37 -0800 2009 4242187 11234 toodie jane 2 4242797 Are you asking about the sit-down taqueria discussed in this thread or the taqueria's truck which is at a different location? Fri Dec 12 15:13:14 -0800 2008 4238865 10039 Melanie Wong 1 4252825 I was in Salinas again for business and decided to go to El Grullense again. This time I tried the carnitas and it was also excellent. Thanks for the tip Melanie Again I ordered the same super-quesadilla. Though I already had had a sufficiency, I don't make it down to Salinas often, so I decided to order a taco with chorizo and it was also excellent!! So Taqueria El Grullense (Acosta Plz.) Rules!! Now I just wish the overlords of Chowhound would allow me to inform my fellow Bay Area residents of this great taqueria just to the south!! Tue Dec 16 21:10:27 -0800 2008 4233866 76368 mikus 2 4252855 You are welcome to post a pointer, that is a short note on the SF Bay Area board with a link to this thread. To answer your earlier question, El Grullense in Salinas is not related to those in the Bay Area. The owner is from El Grullo in Jalisco, Mexico, like the owners of the other Grullense restaurants. Besides its fame for ex-pat taqueros, El Grullo is also known for mariachi bands. Tue Dec 16 21:21:44 -0800 2008 4252825 10039 Melanie Wong 1 4255904 Googling around today, i found this piece on Master Sommelier Evan Goldstein's blog, http://www.winecouch.com/fullcircleblog/?p=64 about Taqueria El Grullense. Apparently he hit town this summer with a list of Mexican eats gleaned from the 'net, tried 8-10 trucks and taquerias and found he liked this one the best. He also recommended Bonny Doon's Monterey County Grenache to accompany carnitas and al pastor tacos. Evan is an author, wine educator, hospitality training consultant, and many other hats related to the food and beverage industry, so you're in very good company indeed in your pick! He linked back to my original post, http://chowhound.chow.com/topics/437459 . So, Evan, if you're out there, we've talked wine before, I'm glad we have a love of tacos in common too! Thu Dec 18 00:14:28 -0800 2008 4233866 10039 Melanie Wong 2 4342519 I second Evan Goldstein's recommendation of El Grullense truck. The tacos were great AND they had a bunch of condiments. The side of the truck has two glass doors that open out. Inside are all the goodies -- salsas, onions, cilantro, carrots/onions/jalapenos, lime wedges, etc.. The jalapenos are even grilled. If there's a taco truck or taqueria that beats this, I want to hear about it. Tue Jan 20 15:15:24 -0800 2009 4255904 85631 chow_eb 3 4342898 Evan's rec is actually for the sit down taqueria that has the same ownership as the truck. You should give it a try next time you're in town. Tue Jan 20 17:36:58 -0800 2009 4342519 10039 Melanie Wong