Always one to finish what I started, I recently returned to SW 29th to explore more of the taco truck greatness this madre road had in store. While my last voyage focused on the many trucks between May and Penn, this time I ventured further east, all the way down to the red lights of S. Robinson.
Although this stretch of Mexican Valhalla didn’t have as many offerings as the first, I soon discovered that the quality of the food was far superior – with many splendid trucks offering the freshest ingredients, a veritable base of flavors, and a well-timed stockpile of those little timers that most places use for truck-based food.
Even better, while I enjoyed the typical chow wagons of traditional Mexican fare, a new challenger entered the ring—a smoked meat truck—that made things quite interesting.
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Primaso Taqueria (Near Remnant Carpet, 1533 SW 29th St,)
At Primaso Taqueria, the menu might seem plain, but the food they serve is truly out of this world.
I ordered the Taquitos Rancheros ($10.95). While most taquitos I’ve come across are convenience store wonders, with a little bit of bean and a pressed gullet, Primaso takes it to another level. Their fresh tortillas are packed with meat, beans, and cheese, then fried to a perfect golden hue.
To make it even better, a kind and sweet cook not only gave me some extra taquitos but a whole soda too! Whether free or top dollar, the taquitos are truly phenomenal, getting all the taste you crave in a bite-sized format.
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Taqueria El Jiro (Near D&G Food Mart, 1437 SW 29th St,)
Though the truck was camouflaged by the busy food mart, I was still able to find Taqueria El Jiro, a modest little taco cart next to the shopping center. Despite the line being five deep, I swiftly made it through the crowd, and without hesitation, ordered their gonad-inspired touchstone, the Burrito Macho ($9.00).
Served with a side salad and, as humorously noted on the menu, a tuft of coarse hair, the Burrito Macho was full of bold flavors and attitude. With ground beef, refried beans, and plenty of cheese, it was gloriously layered with more cheese, sour cream and other carrots, jalapenos and a wedge of lime.
It had all the basic elements that make burritos so fine, with a smoldering “wet look” provided by the sour cream and green sauce. The chili-fied, beef-stuffed taste of this Macho burrito was pure fire, with beans and rice to helping fan the flames into oblivion.
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El Taco Electrico (Near D-Gala Center, 720 SW 29th St)
Near the vacant D-Gala Center, this outfit pulled customers off the street with its high-voltage menu.
For my shock therapy, I went with a massive carne asada Torta ($8.00):
This was an impressive log.
Served on a fresh bolillo, it featured a hearty portion of carne asada, along with refried beans, melted cheese, and an assortment of fixings like lettuce and tomatoes. The sandwich spilled over the side of my table, drowning me in its inherent goodness, requiring extra sheets of foil to tuck it all back into the sandwich.
But the taste… oh boy, the torta was electrifying! With the extra width and longer length of a regular torta, it had more room for more meat, more beans and more shock and awe, with more taste than a regular sandwich.
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405 Smoked Meats (Near Advanced Auto Parts, 215 SW 29th St.)
Since this spot isn't a classic taco truck, I wasn’t sure whether I should include it, but after one quick bite of their tasty meat, I knew they couldn't be left out.
From hot links and pulled pork to mac and cheese and baked beans, this place is BBQ all the way, but I zeroed in on the one item from their smoky haze of the burning flesh – a trademarked smoked Turkey Leg ($12.00).
With a bit of their homemade barbecue sauce, it was like a state fair without the carnival rides, scooters, and disease. This powerful leg, with its tight sinews and deeply flavorful muscles, bonded with me in a way I couldn't quite articulate. In other words, it was a wonderful treat!
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Follow Louis Fowler on Instagram at @louisfowler78.
