street smarts
Ordering a taco truck taco can be intimidating if you don’t know the lingo or Spanish. Here’s a basic overview as to what you’ll find and how to order it:
Whether you visit an authentic taqueria or one of the many taco trucks that dot the Bay Area – if you order a taco – you’ll likely get Mexican grilled, fried or steamed meat pilled on soft, white corn tortillas (around 3” in diameter) that’s been doubled up. The exception to this are tacos dorados, which have been fried until crispy.
Typical toppings include: diced white onions, cilantro, lime wedge and hot sauce or salsa with a side of picked carrots, radishes and chilies.
Types of Tacos
Tacos•al•Pastor – literally means “shepherd’s-style tacos.” Tortillas are filled with thin pieces of pork steak that’s been marinated in adobo (a sauce of spices or chilies) and cooked in a rotisserie.
Tacos•de•Carnitas – are made of pork that’s been roasting for 8 to 12 hours.
Tacos•de•Carne•Asada – typically are thin slices a beef that have been grilled quickly and chopped up. They are sometimes served with onions that have also been grilled.
Tacos•Dorados – are what most Americans think of as taquitos. These are tacos that have been rolled around a shredded beef or chicken filling and fried until hard.
Tacos•de•Pescado – fish tacos are undoubtedly popular in the Southwest part of the United States, California and Baja California. Usually, fish tacos will be grilled or batter-dipped and fried filets of fresh fish – usually Rock Cod – that are topped with red cabbage and a cream/mayonnaise sauce or coleslaw dressing.
Tacos•de•Camarones – shrimp tacos are grilled or fried shrimp usually topped with red cabbage and a cream/mayonnaise sauce or coleslaw dressing.
Tacos•de•Cabeza - means “head tacos.” Traditionally, the head of a cow is steamed in large metal steamers over night; when the bones are removed in the morning, the meat is shredded and stirred with its broth. As such, tacos de cabeza are mainly eaten in the morning. Types of meat include:
- Cabeza - a serving of the head’s muscles
- Sesos – brains
- Lengua – tongue
- Cachete – cheeks
