Introducing our first Taco Truck report
Tacos La Barca located on N.E. 14th street and Henderson, Des Moines, Iowa
It’s more of a “taco camper” than truck :)
The menu…
The price is right, $1.50 per taco.
If only old R.V.s could share their stories. It’s obviously this old vehicle has logged a lot of miles, probably parked at the base of Mount Rushmore, or the wilds of Yosemite, with happy families dining alongside as a charcoal grill wafts scents past the screen windows. We are just thankful that Javier salvaged this camper from retirement (and most likely a date with the scrapyard). The old screen windows are still there—well, kind of.
One screen is pried back from the window frame above a small counter. This is where we ordered from the rather simple menu. Perry went for a taco al pastor (pork taco) and a steak taco; I (Laura) opted for the chorizo (Mexican sausage) taco and a side order of frijoles (beans). We grabbed a lukewarm coke from the Coleman-style cooler perched atop a folding table, then took a seat and waited as the wonderful scent of grilled meats filled the air. We waited longer than what we would typically consider fast food, leading Perry to comment, “Fresh cooked, I think we’re in for a treat!
He was so right!
Our host/cook/owner, Javier pulled the broken screen back and handed us our paper plates through the narrow opening, but there’s something extra. He’s proudly saying, ”Tacos de Birria,” as we point out an extra taco on each of our plates. We had noticed the name of these tacos written on the side of the truck—right under the word “KEZadillas,” but we weren’t quite brave enough to order something we couldn’t translate.
My plate….
click on photo to enlarge
Right to left: The chorizo taco was to die for! I thought for a minute I was at my favorite taqueria in Mexico—they were that good. The tortillas were also perfection!
Next to that is the Taco de Birria that he threw in as a treat—Wow! We never realized that there could be a taste as fantastic as chorizo. These things are amazing.
At left are the friloes (beans) that I ordered, served in a folded tortilla. I wasn’t as impressed with the flavor of the beans, but the tacos made up for it!
Another plus, the plate came with a nice, large slice of lime (I like a lot of lime).
Perry’s plate….
click on photo to enlarge
Both of Perry’s tacos were excellent as well, but we both agreed the chorizo was our favorite (although Perry still talks about that BBQ taco).
Not sure why he got the large, grilled pepper and I didn’t. Perhaps he knew it would be wasted on me. (too darn SPICY!)
Grand total for lunch $6.00
We give Tacos La Barca a total of 4 TACO GUYS! Excellent tacos, but limited menu and the frijoles were not among our favorites.
As we drove off, I swear the grill of that “Taco Camper” had formed a slight smile. What a great way to spend your GOLDEN years señor Taco Truck!
How to get there:
Hours:
