Adam & Eats: Tacos Don Juan

This week we delve once again into the world of mobile eateries. This one is banking especially hard on the idea of mobility given that they are currently located in mobile service provider’s parking lot.

Located on the corner of Grand and Albert Pike avenues, in the western parking area of B2 Wireless, is the current home of Tacos Don Juan. I say current, because they roam around from time to time. My sources tell me that they plan on staying put for a while, so hopefully by the time you read this, they’ll still be there.

The idea of eating food from a truck or a trailer still gives some people the itches. But, this is one instance when you need to suck it up and go for it. But how will you know the place once you drive to the parking lot of a cell phone store? Look for the bright orange trailer that says “Tacos Don Juan” at the top in big white letters. That’s a good place to start.

As with most of the newer mobile eateries, they have furnished the space out front with a picnic table and white plastic chairs. This one table, in and of itself, is something to marvel at. It forces complete strangers to eat as a family. To interact with one another even if it is sitting silently hunched over a plate of fresh tacos. Strangers united under the banner of eating good food. In times like these, a little solidarity is a beautiful thing.

But, listen to me, waxing poetic about a white plastic picnic table. We’re supposed to be talking about a movable feast and not about the potential downfall of civilization.

The staff of Tacos Don Juan are literally a small family who have extended their kitchen at home into an orange trailer to make a little extra cash. These modest, and ever-so patient people, have in a weird way invited you over for dinner. I say they are patient because they will smile very pleasantly at you as you muddle through ordering in choppy, at best, Spanish, even though they understand English just fine. Your attempts at being polite and honoring their cultural heritage by speaking crappy Spanish is never judged, but rewarded with a polite “Gracias” and a great big helping of lunch or dinner.

Speaking of lunch or dinner, let’s get to the best part, the food. If I were to recommend only one dish, I’d have to say that my personal favorite is the namesake, the title track off of their food album if you will, the quesadilla Don Juan. This mutha consists of a tortilla the size of a serving platter stuffed with steak, cheese, sour cream, and lettuce, folded in half , and then grilled. Holy crap it is so-o-o-o-o good. Especially if you dip it into their homemade salsa verde. You’ll be hooked.

Their tortas are exceptionally huge and delicious as well, but they are not my favorite thing in the world.

I would be remiss if we didn’t talk about the tacos, given that there is “tacos” in the name of the place. The tacos are friggin’ awesome. Very traditional style tacos consisting of a slightly fried corn tortilla covered with the meat of your choosing, cilantro, and onions. Squeeze a little lime on top and you are ready to eat until it’s time for your siesta. My three favorites, in no particular order, are the chorizo (spicy pork sausage), the asada (steak), and the pastor (slow marinated and roasted pork). The last one will have you saying nom nom nom all the way home, if you know what I mean.

If you’ve never tried Tacos Don Juan, I suggest you stop being such a sissy and give them a go. You’re sure to be pleasantly surprised.

Until next week, good eating to you and yours.

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