Tuesday, April 27, 2010

Onward and upward

Well, it's not Friday but... "Thank God, It's Taco Trucks!" In this entry, we have a guest reviewer...recording artist and California legend, Justin Fox! After Justin's concert in Modesto, he went with us to another local legend, Tacos Vallarta located at the corner of 14th and D Streets in Downtown Modesto right next to Tires Vallarta. That's right, this is a tire shop/taco truck. Here we go...



Chris: It was a chilly night late in April and we eagerly awaited our tacos, willing to face the cold for taco goodness. There's Justin there on the left next to Aaron and my son Josh, that's the rest of my family on the right.

Justin: "I was excited."

Aaron: I had a certain expectation of glory.



Chris: The prices are standard. They have a more expensive burrito option if you want it really big. But otherwise, there's nothing surprising about the menu.

Aaron: It is a little more than some trucks but it is well worth it.


Justin: "good size chicken pieces in the tacos and you get a free lunch with the purchase of 4 tires. You can't beat that."





Chris: This place always has people waiting for food. It is good. At Vallarta, the name of the game is chicken. Many taco trucks serve boiled chicken that's kinda wet. Vallarta grills the chicken so it has a very pleasing texture...crispy and good.

Aaron: Size is good and is not bloated or weighed down by grease. It leaves you feeling satisfied without feeling sick. It's smooth but bold, daring yet inviting. The red sauce pulls you in by the collars, lays a wet sloppy one on you and you know you'll never be the same She's bold, but oh so elegant. Always elegant.


Justin: "spicy sauce, intricate complexities. The extra little things like...radishes are worth noting."



Chris: It's also a very family friendly environment. Nice place to sit.

Aaron: We saw our librarian there. That's saying something. I don't know what it's saying, but I know it's good.

Justin: "The wooden tables were a nice height. The drive into the parking lot is a four wheeling experience of adventure with the possibility of finding hidden treasure."

So for a delicious taco truck experience, a kind staff and the option to get new tires if you wanted to, we at TGITT give Tacos Vallarta 4 out of 5 tacos



And for that sweet red sauce, we'll throw on another half! Thanks Vallarta and special thanks to Justin Fox, driving down a highway and singing in a church near you.


Saturday, April 10, 2010

Where it all begins.

This is a taco truck located on Crows Landing Rd. in Modesto, California. There are several "Jessica" trucks in our city. This is #4. There are usually two down on 6th street across from Crescent Supply and there is one mysteriously out of rotation at all times. Different "Jessica's" turn up in different places. This is a great truck to use as our first post on TGITT. This is both my (Chris) and Aaron's first truck experience here. Let's get into it.



What makes this truck unique is that it is the best of both Central Valley Mexican food worlds...it is a truck parked next to a building. The food is made in the truck. You eat it in the building. It's here in this building...Google caught it before it became a Taqueria...


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Aaron: By the way, "XV AƱera Elegante" ironically translates roughly to, "Oh my lord these burritos are awesome!"
Chris: Burritos from Tacos Jessica are among my very favorites. My brother-in-law introduced me to these when I first came to Modesto. They are really my first love in taco truck eating. How do these at the "taqueria" stack up?



Chris: They are BIG. Jessica burritos have always weighed in as one of the biggest and this was the biggest Jessica burrito I think I've ever seen. Hot and full of meat and gooey goodness.

Aaron: They are BIG, and honor the name of Jessica. No filler here.

What about value?



Chris: The burritos here are .50 more than the other Jessicas but way bigger and in an air conditioned building. I think this has something to do with the price hike. Also notice, the tacos (big and meaty as ever) are only .50 each. Industry standard is $1.00!

How about taste?




Chris: I think these pictures are self-explanatory. There wasn't a lot of talkin' going on around that table...



Aaron: Let me explain these pictures. They are of us, eating burritos in the Tacos Jessica "Truckeria".





Concensus: For over all deliciousness, largeness, great prices and pretty good atmosphere to boot, we all gave Jessica #4 on Crows Landing Road, 4 out of 5 tacos.



This being our first review, all future trucks will have some big burrito foils to fill, and we may never experience a 'five out of five' taco truck on this side of heaven, but it's all about the journey.

Good on ya Jessica, you'll always be our first lady of taco and burrito delights.