Tacos Carillo Taco Truck on Mullholland and Beverly Glen

Sometimes the best part about a Taco Truck is the way you find it and when.

It was 8am. I was STARVING for a breakfast burrito and/or taco. I was late. I was taking a different route that caused me to come up Beverly Glen and turn left on Mullholland to get to Coldwater Canyon heading down into Beverly Hills.

I saw a truck. Two trucks. One had more people but didn't say the word 'TACO'. The other said  'Tacos Carillo'. A very attentive, kind woman took my order. I was very specific, which I always am but usually I'm ignored.

I wanted a burrito, but not too big, with rice, beans, lettuce, tomato, sour cream, cheese and onions. I wasn't in the mood for meat or eggs. She nodded, wrote it all down, and charged me $3.50.

I also ordered some simple Chicken Tacos for a student I was going to see. He's 10 and doesn't like a lot of spice.

The burrito was PERFECT. The tortilla was so fresh and tender. It wasn't too big. It wasn't hard to eat with one hand while driving a stick shift. The tacos were clean and simple. Big chunks of white meat. He loved them. Sometimes kids are the best critics.

The also have oatmeal (avena) and instead of chips they give you cool mini tostadas. I can't wait to go back and try more. I'm still thinking about the perfection of the burrito as I write this!

Roy Choi and the Kogi Taco Truck Revolution!

Roy Choi. Great name. Great enterprise. Great talent. Great guy. It's really quite amazing, both the taco fusion and taco truck movement which if you have to pick one catalyst, it's him!

 Am I a fan of the tacos? Yes and no. I love what he has done for tacos, food fusion and food trucks in general. I like all his sauces and high quality fillings, but there is something about the sweetness of the Kogi BBQ sauce that can be a little heavy for my personal tastes. And there is the issue of kimchi.... not my fav. Also, I really really really really dislike waiting in line. Maybe if I had an iPhone... or more friends who were willing to wait in line with me. Hmmmm? Yes.

His total dominance of the taco truck and food world is undeniable, and to this force of culinary creativity and competence, the Taco Maven bows down.



Check out this fun and informative links below!
LA Weekly Article about A-Frame

Article on Chego    Also :: http://www.eatchego.com/

LA Times Early Interview

Ricky's Fish Tacos. A Genius Taquero in Hollywood, CA

Ricky is a delightful retired florist who is bringing an authentic and delicious Baja style fish taco to the Hollywood area on a daily basis. He is followed on Twitter by 2500 people and he has one of the highest scores on Yelp with nearly a 90%+ approval rating.

My adventure to Ricky's Fish Taco Paradise was on one of the hottest November days of all time. Yet still, by 12:05 PM, there were at least a dozen people crowding around to buy a fish taco. Ricky makes his own special batter and don't misunderstand me when I say it's as complex, rich and flavorful as Kentucky Fried Chicken! Addictive even.

There is a lot going on in there. It has that extra savory burst of flavor that makes you smack your lips and want to order more. The only thing Ricky would tell me was that he uses oregano and no beer. As the batter is yellowish I thought maybe he had some achiote in there, but he said no. So maybe it was cumin or curry and a handful of other secretos.

Once they have been dunked in the thick, secret batter, Ricky fries up fish and shrimp to golden brown perfection. You can purchase a fish taco for $2.50, a shrimp taco for $3.00 or a combo 'Ricky's Special' taco with fish and shrimp.

He dresses the tacos with cabbage and pico de gallo, and you can do the rest with crema, salsa verde, salsa roja and a smokey dark salsa. There is plenty of shade to eat under and he always seems to have an agua fresca available (yesterday it was jamaica).

His parents live in Ensenada but his mother was born in San Jose del Cabo which is a charming place near Cabo San Lucas at the tip of the Baja Peninsula. She visits a few times a year and has been known to tweak his batter recipe with her expertise.

Ricky's father is from Tijuana. He has a sticker on his deep fryer that says Hussong's, Ensenada. I did a little Googling and learned it is the oldest restaurant in Baja, started by Germans and dating back to 1892.  You can at least check it out virtually at http://www.cantinahussongs.com/

Thank you Ricky, for your warm spirit and cooking expertise! Viva el taco de pescado!

More PRESS for Ricky.

And More!

As of 2021 Ricky is still on Riverside Drive in Silverlake.

Ricky's Fish Taco Truck