Author Archives: burgersmoke

Friday night Chow Truck and Art!!!

Hi everyone!

It’s been a long time has it not?  Several of you have asked me why it’s taken so long to have some new reviews here on slctacos.com.  Well I been way busy, mang!  How busy?  Well, let’s review…

  1. Finished up the video game Toy Story 3 for work.  If you have kids (or like having fun), go check it out.  It’s a great game
  2. Besides practically living at work finishing the game I was also accepted to graduate school.  I’ll be studying Computational Linguistics at the University of Washington
  3. I also moved to be much closer to the taco epicenter of Salt Lake City.  I’m now blocks away from the heart of the action between 800 and 900 South
  4. I’ve been busy hanging with sharks

So now that life is back to normal, I have several taco stand reviews already written and some great taco recipes to share with all of you.  I can’t wait to get back to work as a taco journalist.

In the meantime, sometimes people ask me “Where can I find the Chow Truck to try their original tacos?”

Well, it just so happens that I know exactly where the Chow Truck will be parked on Friday night July 16th.

It will be parked directly outside the great STOLEN & ESCAPED gallery (177 E 300 S, below Frosty Darling) which will be showing 4 of my paintings including a brand new one which I have yet to post on the Electric Internet.  So consider this a call to tacos.  A call to art.  Come on down and chow down with us.

The gallery will be open from 6pm to 9pm and the Chow Truck is planning to be there from 7pm to 9pm.

Come on my and say hello to check out some of my paintings like these :

manta ray, laser eyes : killing a building

the squid’s technique was stealth

ZEBRA BITE ATTACK!!!

REVIEW – Chow Truck

Chow Truck

Location : Parked in various places around Salt Lake City.  Find where it is today at http://www.chowtruck.com/

Review : 4.5 stars

As Noyen previously mentioned, there’s a brand new mobile eatery in Salt Lake City.  You may remember in 2009 that I wrote about a truck in California serving up asian fusion tacos and that I wished Salt Lake had something similar.  This wish has come true in the form of the Chow Truck.  I recently loaded up the tacocar with my fellow taco enthusiasts to see if the truck could live up to my dream.  How did it live up to my dream?  Keep reading and this taco adventure will unroll like a tortilla before your eyes.

The air was electric with anticipation for the Chow Truck as we left the office to load up on tacos.  We had already heard from others who had tasted from the truck that the tacos (and other delights) on the menu were a very different and delicious experience not to be missed.  And of course I was more than giddy about the idea of a truck which moves all over the city day to day whose location you must find from its website or from Twitter.  This idea of taco trucks and flash mobs was something I had wanted to see for a long time.

As we arrived at the Chow Truck where it was parked that day at Trolley Square the incredibly friendly owner of the truck SuAn Chow immediately jumped out of the truck to greet us.  Extremely friendly, SuAn walked us through everything on the menu and recommended a few of the tacos that people had been enjoying lately.  From what I understand, the menu can change frequently based on what people are liking, so when you go there you may have something else entirely.

We all chatted with SuAn for a bit who told us about how she started the truck and how well business was already going.  SuAn has been working in the restaurant business for some time so when she was thinking of starting the Chow Truck she started out with a lot of research. Trust me, she takes her food and her tacos seriously!  She spent a lot of time in Los Angeles checking out Kogi Tacos and the other taco trucks that LA has to offer and came back to treat us with the Chow Truck. She also explained how she and chef Rosanne Ruiz developed the menu and how they wanted to explore the cuisine that results when Mexico and all of Asia meet inside the demilitarized zone of a tortilla.  Check chef Ruiz’ impressive history as a chef.  Her credentials alone will make you want to visit the Chow Truck.

SuAn Chow is one of the nicest people in Salt Lake City.  I listened to what SuAn told us and knew immediately that I needed to try one of each taco :

  • Coconut Lemongrass Chicken
  • Pineapple-Ginger Pork
  • Spicy Beef w/ Cilantro Chili Pesto

I had no idea that the flavors would be such an interesting mix so I was impatient to get these tacos into my mouth-hole. Luckily, the tacos arrived quickly into my mouth-hole and I have to say that I recommend these tacos to all taco enthusiasts.  These were absolutely delicious.  The chicken was great.  Delicious fresh veggies mixed in with lemongrass chicken.  The pineapple-ginger pork was fantastic.  The ginger gave this a great aftertaste.
Finally, I chomped down on the spicy beef.  Absolutely amazing.  Several of us went back for seconds just to try this delicious spicy taco a second round.  I haven’t been to the truck in a few weeks, but this was by far the crowd pleaser in our group so check it out.

I’ve been back again to the Chow Truck and it’s been consistently good.  As well as handing out goodness in the beloved form of a taco, they also appeal to others in the form of a tiny hamburger or “slider” who love a good burger like I do.  This was great just like the tacos are.

So go try out the Chow Truck and let me know how you like it.  I read that yesterday the truck was making Pork Mole Quesadillas. I missed it but hopefully they’ll have them later this week if I can break away from the office.

In closing, here’s a gallery of all of the taco enthusiasts on this trip and how many tacos they ate :

6-time world taco tasting champion Benson -- 3 tacos

Taco enthusiast Tyler -- 3 tacos

Taco enthusiast Bryce -- 3 tacos

Taco enthusiast Chris -- 3 tacos

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The author of this article put away 3 tacos and he wants more. RIGHT NOW!

The Power of Tacos

So we talked in to Chunga’s a few days ago and noticed a new bit of artwork on the wall which re-iterates the power of the taco.  We had to get a picture of taco enthusiast Jeff in front of it.

Does anyone know who originally stated the quote?

I’m pretty sure it was Benjamin Franklin, right?

Music to eat tacos by

So if you’re looking for music to listen to next time you sit down to enjoy some delicious tacos, check out the new podcast I just started with my good friend Jared Gallardo.

It’s called “Gentlemen, Scotch and Song” and you can go listen here right now :

http://www.gentlemenscotchandsong.com

PUPUSA REVIEW — Chulton City Pupusa Stand

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Just a few taco enthusiasts becoming PUPUSA enthusiasts

Pupusas Chulton City

300 S Main (SW corner of the street by the bank)

Salt Lake City, UT

801-637-8557

4 out of 5 stars

A few weeks ago I received an important and urgent message from taco enthusiast GURTHY.  Since he and I both work in the downtown area and he knows of my love of tacos he sent me an IM that there was a new taco stand located on the corner of the 300 S and Main.  I promised Gurthy I would check out the stand and report back.  Jon, consider this your attention.

A few of us walked over from work to report on this new “taco” stand.  We were immediately surprised to find PUPUSAS instead.

GURTHY INITIAL REPORT : Don’t be alarmed, but this is not a taco stand

GURTHY SECOND REPORT : Although this site is titled slcTACOS.com, this review will go on, because I love pupusas and their birthplace is as close to Mexico as you get.

What is a pupusa? I suppose now would be a good time to talk about their deliciousness.  A pupusa is a wonderful treat which comes to us from El Salvador.  However, instead of using a thin tortilla like our amigos mexicanos, these salvadorenos use maize flour dough to create a thick flat bread which they will with all sorts of things like cheese, pork, chicken and many others.  The best way I have found to describe pupusas to most people is that they are a lot like a mexican gordita but their bread is much thicker.

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A pupusa is born in this visual example of how maize flour dough is transformed into a pupusa.

After relating this information to my taco compatriots, we started right away and I ordered three pupusas : cheese, chicken and pork.  After ordering I asked the owners how long they had been open.  At the time of writing, this familia salvadorena has been open for about 2 months and they report that business has been very good so far.  The name of the stand they tells me comes from their hometown in El Salvador.  I did a bit of searching on the electric internet and so far have not been able to find anything about the city or find it on a map.

Pupusas at the stand run $1.50 a piece and usually 2 or 3 will be more than enough for a meal.  Add a bit of cabbage and salsa and you’re in business for a great meal on the hustling and bustling streets of downtown Salt Lake City.

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A quick little snapshot of two of the pupusas I found a home for.

After our meal, I asked our otherwise band of tacovores what they thought of the meal and they had already made up their minds to come back.  We exchanged a few laughs with the owners of the stand who were thrilled to be causing the beginning of 5 new pupusa careers and we promised to come back soon.

GURTHY FINAL REPORT : So that’s a pupusa and it’s a block from your work.  Are you man enough to try one?

REVIEW – Tacos Don Martin (in Sugarhouse!!!)

Tacos Don Martin stands as a guard which watches over the glorious Sugarhole in Sugarhouse.

Tacos Don Martin stands as a guard which watches over the glorious Sugarhole in Sugarhouse.

Tacos Don Martin

Highland Drive and roughly 2150 South

(right in front of the Sugarhole in Sugarhouse; across the street from the library and Barnes and Noble)

3.5 out of 5 stars

801-414-6182

Slctacos.com is back.  I apologize for a bit of a lull in taco journalism, but since last year I was nearly robbed of my entire summer I decided to grab the summer of 2009 by the reigns to make sure I could enjoy it as much as possible.

But this post is not the true miracle I want to talk about this evening.  Tonight I want to talk about how dreams come true.  Some of you remember that I have lamented the fact that while in the past there was a pre-SUGARHOLE taco stand in Sugarhouse.  I actually scribbled this on the top of my Christmas list to Santa :

“a taco stand in sugarhood”

Christmas has come early for this young man because now there street tacos which are walking distance from his home!  What else could you want?  You wanted a burrito?  Tacos Don Martin has you covered.  Oh, you want a vampiro?  Tacos Don Martin has those too!  Excuse me, you wanted a full plate of asada? Done.  Tacos Don Martin is back.  It may very well be the driving force which revitalizes the heart of Sugarhouse.

 

The SUGARHOLE in March, 2009.  Notice the lack of buildings, but more importantly notice the lack of TACOS!!!

The SUGARHOLE in March, 2009. Notice the lack of buildings, but more importantly notice the lack of TACOS!!!

Years from now, our children will be sitting in class and learning about history.  They will learn about the settlers of the Salt Lake valley and they will learn about how Obama made good on his promise in 2011 for every child to have his own jetpack.

Even more importantly, they will learn about the magnificent return of street tacos to Sugarhouse.  They will read about the events leading up to this : Wallstreet greed, credit shortages, recession, and finally SUGARHOLE.  Finally they will read about the singular event which changed Sugarhouse as we know it and ultimately ended the Recession in the United States.  This event is the return of tacos with the opening of Tacos Don Martin.

But I’m getting ahead of myself.  You are a taco enthusiast and you want to know more about the tacos.  Taco Enthusiast Dr. Wilkin was the same way when I called him up a few weeks back.  He was chomping at the bit to try out the tacos at this new stand, so we decided to make a date of it.  Dr. Wilkin is a medical doctor and the only thing he loves more than saving lives is eating tacos.  Dr. Wilkin leads a fast-paced life of medical breakthroughs sprinkled with miraculous events of saving the lives of orphans.  Since his time is precious, I was sure to be on time when I walked down the street to his home for our taco adventure.

 

FILE PHOTO : Dr Wilkin on another taco.  He works hard, but he plays even harder.

FILE PHOTO : Dr Wilkin on another taco adventure. He works hard, but he plays even harder.

We arrived at the taco stand on a beautiful summer evening as the sun was setting over the rugged shores of the Sugarhole.  We looked over the menu for a bit and decided to get down to business.  Here are a few items on the menu and their prices.  This is definitely one of the cheaper places to dine in Sugarhouse :

Tacos – $1

Vampiros – $1.50

Plato de Asada – $6

For those curious of what styles of tacos served here, the list is as follows :

Asada, Al Pastor, Carnitas, Pollo, Cabeza, Buche, Barbacoa, Chicharron, Birria, Lengua, Tripa

 

Dr Wilkin unwinds at the taco stand while other taco goers try to jump into the frame amidst serious taco journalism

Dr Wilkin unwinds at the taco stand while other taco goers try to jump into the frame amidst serious taco journalism

Our tacos were good.  For some reason I didn’t take any photos.  Maybe I was starving.  Maybe I was giddy that there was a taco stand in Sugarhouse.  Maybe I was laughing with a fellow taco customer next to me and the stand owner  when some other “gringo” walked away with paying.

At any rate, I enjoyed the Carnitas and the Barbacoa most.  The Al Pastor was also tasty and I will definitely order it again as I continue to revel in street food in Sugarhood.

Tonight I stopped by the stand and had a quick Barbacoa taco while I asked the stand owner how business was going.  She said that it is up and down.  Some good days and some very slow days.  I was surprised when she told me that her busiest time of the day is at lunch.  I would have assumed more people at night since I often see quite a few standing around when I drive down Highland.  If you want to make an order to go, or have them cater a party, you can call the number above and they can set you up with some delicious treats.

Reading the lettering on the stand at Don Martin, you wonder to yourself if they can live up to the claim of serving up street delights “a la altura de su buen gusto“.  In this humble reporter’s opinion, I believe that they do make delicious tacos at the height of your great taste.  Sugarhouse is back on the map!

-burgersmoke

Attn Chungas — Please post this picture

To whom it may concern at Chunga’s-

Can you please print and post a picture of this image on your walls?

I think the only thing that could make Taco Enthusiast Jeff happier would be to see a picture of himself next to a picture of himself.

Taco enthusiast Jeff is elated to pose for a PHOTO OPPORTUNITY next to a picture of a previous PHOTO OPPORTUNITY at Chunga's.

Taco enthusiast Jeff is elated to pose for a PHOTO OPPORTUNITY next to a picture of a previous PHOTO OPPORTUNITY at Chunga's.

Thank you in advance,

(and thanks for all your great service..)

-burgersmoke

Taco Truck on 900 W?

Has anyone tried the taco truck on 900 W and about 600 or 700 S?

I was driving by there at 1am recently while leading a caravan of a semi truck carrying some art projects.  Needless to say, I didn’t have time to stop, but oh how I was tempted!

Can anyone comment who has tried it?

I can’t remember the name of the taco truck now either…

Thanks in advance to the TACO ARMY!!!

-burgersmoke

Taco cart spotted in Sugarhood

Brace yourselves taco enthusiasts.  I have two pieces of news :

  1. I am getting better at English language and have learned how to properly spell enthusiast.
  2. There is a new TACO CART in Sugarhouse right in front of the SUGARHOLE!!!

I will be visting this stand ASAP next week to check it out and provide a full report.

Has anyone else out there tried it yet???

TACO SHOWDOWN — PROVO ATTACK!!!!

Are you ready for this?  Are you ready for another taco showdown?  Are you ready for animated GIFs of splosions?

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Maybe you said yes to the questions above, but I hope you are firmly seated in your Internet chair for the next one….  Are you ready for PROVO?  That’s right, the next episode of TACO SHOWDOWN is in Provo, UT.  I know, I know…  The website is technically named http://www.slctacos.com, but several enthoustiasts have written in about great tacos in Utah County.  So I gathered some friends and we decided to take a drive to try these tacos.  And remember what Provo feels like.

Let’s get this Provo edition of Taco Showdown started…

Scroll down and read the reviews below, or click on the links below…

Diego’s Taco Shop

vs.

Chunga’s (Provo location)

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