- Roy Nahra
The Proper Street Taco
Let’s get something out of the way: if it comes in a hard shell, it is not a
street taco. Although the street taco can be had casually and – as the name
implies – on the go, it is by no means a ground-beef, fast-food item you get
off the drive-thru.

An authentic street taco is deftly prepared on a cart by a street vendor
or by a team in a taco truck. Beef, chicken, and pork are chopped into small
pieces and placed on two small corn tortillas. The meat is seasoned, giving
the street taco its taste. A pinch of cilantro and thinly cut onions are added on
top of the meat to compliment the seasoned flavor.
Just like a filet mignon is the star of any plate, the seasoned meat is the
star of the street taco. You can add a bit of salsa verde or salsa roja if you
want to kick the spice up a notch, but the street taco stands on its own without
the need of any condiments. These tacos may be enjoyed on the go during a
quick luch break or with your friends, lounging around with a bottle of
Jarritos in hand.

Ordering a street taco is very simple; all you do is pick the meat. The
common meat options are:
1. Lengua (tongue)
2. Asada (beef)
3. Al Pastor (marinated pork)
4. Carnitas (like pulled pork)
5. Buche (stomach)
6. Tripas (tripas)
If ordering from a taco truck will be your first rodeo, start things off
with an order of three tacos: two carne asada and one lengua. Get a nice cold
horchata and watch as your palate will thank you for treating yourself to such
a juicy delicacy.
