Category: Tacos
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Taco Spot Review: Cowbell Taqueria Union City
Cowbell Taqueria is located in a strip mall off of Industrial Parkway and Whipple Rd in Union City. This clean, modern taqueria’s fresh ingredients and flavorful fillings delight customers. First impressions, when I walked in, I noticed how clean it is. I chose to take this as a good sign. In the restaurant, there were about 12 tables with bench seating.
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Types of Tacos
At this point in my taco adventure, I have eaten countless tacos. And I would consider myself to have a very good knowledge base when it comes to the subject. I remember as a teen and young adult, I would walk up and ask the person inside the truck for 4 asada tacos. I would pay very little attention to any other menu items or the descriptions next to them. That is except when I was pretending to read through them, posturing as if I was undecided about what to order.
About a year ago, I was at one of my favorite local trucks with a friend and they asked if I knew what different item descriptions meant. To be honest, I didn’t really know at the time. I knew that sometimes I ordered tacos and the tortillas were warm, while other times the tortillas would be moist. That conversation drove me to explore and learn more about the origins of different tacos and find out how they are prepared. I found several great sites describing types of tacos.
These are two great concise articles centered on taco types:
Serioius Eats Guide To Taco Styles
Below you find a brief description of the different styles of tacos that I learned about. Next time you are at a truck or restaurant, see if you can pick out these descriptions.
Tacos De Asador also known as “Spit” or “Grill” Tacos usually are made with grilled fillings such as asada (steak), chorizo (Mexican sausage), pollo (chicken), and tripas (tripe).
Tacos De Cazo – Deep fried fillings typically include tripe, suadero, carnitas, and buche (pork stomach).
Tacos De Sudados or Canasta – corn tortillas filled and then covered to trap moisture “sweat” and soften them.
Tacos Al Pastor or De Adobada – Pork steaks seasoned with adobo. Traditionally the steaks are skewered and stacked on a rotisserie and slow-cooked.
Tacos De Pescado / Fish Tacos – Grilled or fried fish topped with cabbage, pico de gallo, and/or sour cream.
Tacos De Camarones / Shrimp Tacos – Grilled or Fried Shrimp usually topped with cabbage, pico de gallo, and/or sour cream.
Tacos Dorados / Fried Tacos (taquitos)– Rolled, deep-fried tacos usually filled with chicken or beef.
Here is a helpful inforgraphic by Maggie Unzueta @ Fix.com
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A Few Words On Tortillas
Tortillas are ultimately a plate, an envelope surrounding the fillings that go in your taco. Originally, all tortillas were only made from the pulp of ground corn. Today there are a few variations, but the tortilla has been mainly unchanged for hundreds of years.
Corn/Maize tortillas are generally warmed before serving, this makes them more pliable when using them as a vehicle for toppings. They can be warmed on a skillet, comal, or in the oven.
Yellow corn tortillas – made from yellow corn, these tortillas have a richer flavor than white corn tortillas. They are also ever slightly thicker than white corn tortillas.
White Corn Tortillas – Most common variety for taco trucks and restaurants. More subtle flavor than their yellow counterparts.
White Flour and Wheat Flour Tortillas are most popular for quesadillas, and burritos. Flour torillas are delicate and pliable. This makes them the ideal wrapping for your favorite fillings.
White Flour Tortillas – generally don’t have a distinct flavor, which makes them great for wraps and burritos.
Wheat Flour Tortillas have a recognizable flavor, making them less versatile to pair with as wide a range of flavors.
Flour Tortillas Variations
Spinach – Spinach is incorporated in the dough of these tortillas. It’s a good way to add a little something to your tortilla experience.
Blue Cornmeal – Popular in the southwest United states, the cornmeal gives the torillas a slightly more grainy texture and a blue tint.
Sundried Tomatoes –Just like spinach tortillas, these tortillas have sundried tomatoes incorporated into the dough, giving them a red hue.
*Tips
If you are not near a tortilleria, buy tortillas from a place that sells a lot of them. It is important to think of tortillas just like you think of bread, the fresher the better.
To maintain freshness store in refrigerator for up to 2 weeks or freeze for up to 3 months.
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3 Tacos To Eat #2 – Oakland California
#1 Cholita Linda Baja Fish Taco
4923 Telegraph Ave
Cholita Linda a relative newcomer to the established taco scene in Oakland. With that said, Cholita Linda has gained one of the more enthusiastic followings around town. This bustling taqueria is on our list this month for their for their Baja Fish tacos. Most evenings you can see a line that runs out of the door waiting for a taste of the flavorful fish tacos. After our first taste there was no wondering why Cholita Linda has become one of Temescal’s most popular food destinations.
#2 El Novillo – Asada Taco
1001 Fruitvale Avenue
Located in the parking lot of Guadalajara restaurant, Tacos El Novillo is one of those trucks that is well known around town for all the right reasons. Novillo makes our list at number 2 this month for their asada tacos. Well seasoned cuts of meat on two corn tortillas topped with onions, cilantro, and salsa roja. Nothing innovative here, just really good tacos made by experienced taquerios.
#3 El Torero -Carnitas Taco
5801 International Blvd
El Torero is an unassuming taqueria on the corner of 58th and International Blvd. This family-run taqueria is pumping out some great tacos! They make our list for their carnitas taco. Well-cooked, not too greasy carnitas topped with onions, cilantro, salsa roja, and queso. Flavorful fillings and a friendly staff make this taqueria stand out. All food is made to order, so grab a seat, snack on some chips and salsa, and enjoy this hidden gem.
3 Tacos to Eat is a regular blog series highlighting our favorite tacos for the month. Restaurants and tacos are selected by a combination of Editors at Comeeda as well as surveys and opinions from tacophiles from our community. Lists can be grouped by taco fillings, neighborhood, city, and more. New list every month. Check out our blog for past lists, other taco related articles, profiles, recipes, and more. Follow us on Instagram — @tacos.comeeda
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3 Tacos To Eat #1 – Oakland California
#1 Mi Grullense #2- Shrimp
1301 30th Ave (Goodwill Parking lot) Oakland, CAIf you didn’t notice the 2 yellow trucks parked in the Goodwill parking lot on 30th and International, don’t worry. They have been there since the 80s and I imagine they will be there for years to come. Their shrimp tacos make our list this month simply because they are delicious. It really doesn’t get more technical than that. Two corn tortillas loaded with fresh shrimp, diced tomatoes, cilantro, and lime. All around great taco.
*Pro Tip: Eat 2 tacos, thrift, then eat more tacos.
#2 Tacos El Gordo — Pastor
4201 International Blvd Oakland, CAThere are constantly debates (often ones that we start) about what which trucks are the best in Oakland. Tacos El Gordo is one of those trucks that consistently finds its way into that conversation. Well earned reputation for great tacos. If you haven’t had the pastor tacos here you are certainly missing out.
#3 Tacos Mi Rancho — Asada
1434 1st Ave Oakland, CATacos Mi Rancho on the east side of the Lake Merritt rounds out our list this month. At most times of the day, you’ll see a line congregating around their forest green truck. They make our list this month for their asada taco. Consistently great tacos from experienced taco masters. Take an afternoon stroll around the lake and treat yourself to some fantastic tacos. They are also open late for those late night taco cravings.
Like the list? Did we miss your favorite spot? Let’s taco bout it. Comment below.
3 Tacos to Eat is a regular blog series highlighting our favorite tacos for the month. Restaurants and tacos are selected by a combination of Editors at Comeeda as well as surveys and opinions of tacophiles from our community. Lists can be grouped by taco fillings, neighborhood, city, and more. New list every month. Check out our blog for past lists, other taco related articles, profiles, recipes, and more. Follow us on Instagram — @tacos.comeeda
