This is your ultimate guide to finding the Valley’s best tacos
Missed out on the annual Taco Truck Throwdown or craving certain tacos but don’t know where to find the particular truck?
We’ve got you covered.
Here’s a rundown of the taco truck vendors who participated in last month’s Taco Truck Throwdown 7.
You won’t have the convenience of all 29 trucks coming to one central location, as was the case when they converged on Chukchansi Park last month. But as many of you might have discovered during the Throwdown, some tacos are worth the drive.
Remember, food trucks have been known to change their schedules and locations. So check Facebook and Twitter or call ahead to confirm when and where they’ll be open.
The Judge’s Top 10
No. 1 El Mexicano – 2833 E Manning Ave, Fowler, CA 93625
Hours: 7 a.m.-1 a.m. Monday-Thursday; 7 a.m.-3 a.m. Friday-Sunday
El Mexicano was the judges’ top choice of the Taco Truck Throwdown 7. Their carne asada tacos are delicious. But their carnitas are amazing. Customers also regularly order asada nachos and asada fries.
“My staff works so hard to make sure our food is great,” says Jovita Camacho, manager of El Mexicano. “Our salsa is great. Our food is fresh. All of our ingredients are local.”
For more information: www.elmexicanorestaurant.net
No. 2 Gonzalez Taqueria – No regular stops currently, just events and catering.
Hours: N/A
Starting in September, Gonzalez Taqueria will be open Wednesdays from 5-7 p.m. at the New Convenant Community Church (1744 E Nees Ave, Fresno, CA 93720).
Gonzalez Taqueria used to serve during lunch time at Eaton Plaza in downtown Fresno. But because of the hot weather, almost all of the food trucks decided to close for the summer.
This taco truck prides itself in their tacos al pastor, which is made of flavored pork that seasoned with a special rub and served with pineapple.
“We got third place by the judges last year and we got second place this year,” says Luis Lopez, the manager and chef. “We want first next time.”
For more information: www.facebook.com/gonzaleztaqueria2016
No. 3 WTF: Where’s the Food – No set location, regularly does catering and special events
Hours: Typically 5-9 p.m. Thursday-Saturday at Gazebo Gardens (3204 N Van Ness Blvd, Fresno, CA 93704); 11 a.m.-2 p.m. Sundays at Enzo’s Tables (1959 N Willow Ave, Clovis, CA 93619)
Dubbed the “Asian food truck,” WTF: Where’s the Food actually blends Asian flavors with Mexican-style food. And what you get is some really good eats. Favorites to order are the seasoned Teriyaki asada tacos and the asada fries burritos.
“It’s not the traditional taco,” owner Henry Wickman says. “We take carne asada meat and season with it with Teriyaki. The flavors are totally different. But once they try it, you’ll see. We’ve got regulars coming back every week looking for it.”
For more information: www.facebook.com/whereswtf
No. 4 Taqueria Jaliscience – Restaurant at 3115 E Central Ave, Fresno, CA 93725; taco trucks near the intersections of Van Ness and Los Angeles avenues and Cedar and North avenues
Hours: 7 a.m.-5:30 p.m. Monday-Friday, 7 a.m.-4:30 p.m. Saturday, closed Sunday
A traditional taco truck, Taqueria Jaliscience specializes in carne asada, al pastor and adobada. But it likes to separate itself by offering homemade tortillas at each of their locations.
“They’re all good,” says manager Tony Luviano. “We have a special seasoning for our beef.”
For more information: www.facebook.com/TakeriaJaliscience
No. 5 La Imperial – 2588 S Maple Ave, Fresno, CA 93725 (Northwest corner of Maple and Jensen avenues in the Calvalier Foods parking lot)
Hours: 5-10 p.m. Monday-Friday; weekends for special events and catering
La Imperial recently expanded its menu, offering more meat selections as well as flavored waters. Their fairly new asada nachos have been a hit. But it’s their asada tacos that remains the most popular.
“That,” says part-owner Francisco Sanchez, “is our go-to food.”
For more information: www.instagram.com/la_imperial_taqueria or www.facebook.com/laimperialtaqueria
No. 5 Quesadilla Gorilla – 608 E. Weldon Ave., Fresno, CA 93704; and 302 W. Main St., Visalia, CA 93291
Hours: (Fresno location) 11 a.m.-10 p.m. Monday-Saturday, closed Sunday; (Visalia location) 11 a.m.-8 p.m. Monday-Saturday; closed Sunday
Owner Miguel Reyes is the first to admit that tacos are not Quesadilla Gorilla’s specialty. What they typically focus on is in their name: quesadillas. But there’s a reason this taco truck finished tied for fifth place among the judges this year.
“It’s the same concept; we just like to put in cheese and have the meet in between a tortilla,” Reyes says. “But our food is good. We just don’t normally do tacos.”
Reyes recommends trying their asada or jerk chicken.
For more information: www.quesadillagorilla.net
No. 7 Los Toritos – 11065-11099 E Mountain View Ave, Selma, CA 93662 (Mountain View Avenue right off Highway 99)
Hours: 9 a.m.-5 p.m. Monday-Sunday
Los Toritos occasionally sets up at Fresno Grizzlies games. The taco truck markets itself as having “famous asada meat.”
For more information: www.facebook.com/jrodriguezlostoritostacotruck
No. 8 Guadalajara – Restaurant and truck at 3020 N. Weber Ave., Fresno, CA; truck at various events.
Hours: 6 a.m.-9 p.m. Monday-Sunday
Everyone seems to do asada tacos. And Guadalajara certainly has that, too. But what this taco truck offer that most others don’t is “camarones a la diabla” – deviled, spicy shrimp. Plus, their flour and corn tortillas are homemade.
For more information: www.guadalajararestaurantfresno.com
No. 8 El Premio Mayor – 3247 E McKinley Ave, Fresno, CA 93703 and 3141 N Maroa Ave, Fresno, CA 93704
Hours: (Restaurant) 9 a.m.-11 p.m. Monday-Sunday; trucks regularly attend Gazebo Gardens and other events
A dominant force in the Taco Truck Throwdown, El Premio Mayor might not have won over the judges this year. But it prevailed as the people’s top choice. El Premio Mayor was also the unanimous winner by the judges and fans at the Taco Truck Throwdowns in 2012, 2015 and 2016.
What to get? One item El Premio Mayor sold just for a Fresno Grizzlies game on Fourth of July was a red, white and blue taco.
“The line was super long for those tacos,” says Bianca Loza, a family owner.
But as far as what to order at the restaurant?
“Can never go wrong with asada tacos,” Loza says. “And we definitely like ours.”
For more information: www.facebook.com/TaqueriaElPremioMayor
No. 10 Tacos La Flor – 10920 S. Fowler Ave. Fowler, CA 93662 (Along Highway 43 in Selma)
Hours: 9 a.m.-12 a.m. Monday-Sunday
What do you have when you add shrimp, avocado and diced onions on top of a crunchy corn tortilla shell? That’d be Tacos La Flor’s “Rica tostada de camarón,” which is a popular item at this truck.
For more information: www.facebook.com/Tacos-La-Flor-Bonita-taco-Truck-240465956415478
No. 10 Locavoria 559 – 3204 N Van Ness Blvd., Fresno, CA for Gazebo Gardens
Hours: Usually Thursdays from 5-9 p.m. at the Gazebo Gardens, and various special events and catering
Locavoria 559 is a new food truck that combines flatbreads with local food and the love of the band “Queen.” That’s why they have dish names such as “Armenian wrapsody,” which is a chicken wrap with Sanger-based Mary’s organic chicken, Armenian feta bought at a local Armenian market, local cherry tomatoes and “microcilantro” (cilantro sprouts). Don’t expect traditional Mexican tacos here. What Locavoria 559 submitted to the judges, though, was a fusion taco that was based around a crispy pork belly.
“They’re different,” says owner Stacy Dodson-Jorgensen. “But they’re amazing.”
For more information: www.facebook.com/LoCAvoria559FlatBottomGrills
Other participants
Casa De Tamales – 609 E. Olive Ave, Fresno, CA 93728
Hours: (Restaurant) 11 a.m.-5 p.m. Sunday-Monday; 11 a.m.- 9 p.m. Sunday-Monday; at various events throughout the week
For more information: www.casadetamales.com
Jalapeno Face – Based in Lemoore, but does just events and catering
Hours: N/A
For more information: www.facebook.com/jalapenoface or www.instagram.com/jalapenofacee
La Jacka – 3557 Ventura Street, Fresno, CA; Often at Ventura and 6th
Hours of operation: N/A
For more information: www.facebook.com/LAJACKAMOBILE
La Luna – 2421 E Clinton Ave, Fresno, CA 93703
Hours: 7 a.m.-9 p.m. Monday-Saturday; 7 a.m.-7 p.m. Sunday
For more information: https://lalunabakerycafe.menufy.com
La Mexicana – 15901 East Kings Canyon Rd., Sanger, CA 93657
Hours: N/A
For more information: www.yelp.com/biz/la-mexicana-taco-truck-sanger
Latin Urban Bistro – At Fresno Street Eatz on Tuesdays; sometimes at Gazebo Garden and other events around Fresno
Hours: N/A
For more information: www.latinurbanbistro.com
Tacos Mazatlan – 103 N Broadway St., Fresno, California, CA 93701
Hours: 7:45 a.m -1:45 p.m. Tuesday; 7:45 a.m.-2 p.m. Saturday; closed Monday, Thursday, Friday and Sunday
For more information: www.facebook.com/Tacos-Mazatlan
Ortega’s Taqueria – 1401 I St., Reedley, CA 93654
Hours: 9 a.m.-12 a.m. Monday-Sunday
For more information: www.facebook.com/Ortegas-Taqueria
Papa Mike’s Cafe – Not around often. This is actually the food truck that Poverello House uses to feed homeless in rural communities.
Hours: N/A
For more information: www.fresnobee.com/living/food-drink/article31910226.html
Smokin’ Burrito – No set location or schedule; open for catering and special events around the Valley
Hours: N/A
For more information: www.thesmokinburrito.com and www.facebook.com/thesmokinburrito
Super Taco – 553 S Newmark Ave., Parlier, CA 93648
Hours: 9 a.m.-8:45 p.m. Monday-Sunday
For more information: www.yelp.com/biz/super-tacos-taqueria-parlier
Sweet & Spicy – 1221 North First St., Fresno, CA 93703
Hours: 9 a.m.-7 p.m. Monday-Friday; 9 a.m.-4 p.m.Saturday; closed Sunday
For more information: www.facebook.com/sweetandspicyfresno
Come eat all these today at Taco Truck Throwdown 7. 2-12p at Chukchansi Park. #TTT7
— Taco Truck Throwdown (@FresnoTacos) July 29, 2017
Photo via @km_squared pic.twitter.com/pZdNTWwaIo
Tacos Boys – 54 E. California Ave., Fresno, CA 93706
Hours: 11 a.m.-2:30 p.m. Saturday and Sunday; closed weekdays
For more information: www.facebook.com/TacosBoys
Tacos Marys – Near the intersection of North Avenue and S. Elm Avenue, west of Highway 41; sometimes at Gazebo Gardens
Hours: 9 a.m.-5 p.m. Monday-Friday; closed Saturday; 9 a.m.- 5 p.m. Sundays at the Flea Market at the Fresno Fairgrounds
For more information: www.facebook.com/Tacos-marys
Tacos Navarez – 4555 Cedar Ave, Fresno, CA
Hours: 7:30 p.m.-12 a.m. Thursday-Saturday
For more information: www.facebook.com/nevarez.tacos
Tacos Y Mariscos Sinaloa – 7264 N. Blackstone Ave, Fresno, CA
Hours: 11 am..-7 p.m. Tuesday-Saturday
For more information: https://local.yahoo.com/info-196725997-tacos-y-mariscos-sinaloa-fresno
Tacos Super Pollos – 4008 W McKinley Ave., Fresno, CA 93728
Hours: closed Monday-Thursday; 7 p.m.-11 p.m. Friday-Saturday; 7 p.m.-10:30 p.m. Sunday
For more information: www.facebook.com/TACOS-SUPER-POLLO-1642723982658276
Tacos Tepa – Highway 180 and 5th St., Mendota, CA 93640; and 1044 O St., Firebaugh, CA 93622
Hours: 10 a.m.-10 p.m. Monday-Friday; 9 am.-9 p.m. Saturday; 8 a.m.-9 p.m. Sunday
For more information: www.facebook.com/pages/Tacos-Tepa/103191139772081
Know Your Tacos: Tacos Tepa #TacoTuesday #FeaturedTruck #FresnoTacos Tix to tonight's game: https://t.co/Tazzpz9xFp pic.twitter.com/Cn1HxVLJet
— Fresno Tacos (@FresnoGrizzlies) June 28, 2016
Bryant-Jon Anteola: 559-441-6362, @Banteola_TheBee
Tacos, Brews & James
RETURN OF THE TACO TRUCK THROWDOWN WINNERS
- When: August 17
- Where: Tioga Sequoia Craft Brewery
- Who’ll be there: El Premio Mayor (People’s Choice winner), El Mexicano (Judges’ choice winner)
This story was originally published August 11, 2017 at 2:44 PM with the headline "This is your ultimate guide to finding the Valley’s best tacos."