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Another Tacos Varios! In Tijuana, how many street taco vendors have that name painted on the side of their taco cart? Today's Tacos Varios, in Tijuana's Zona Centro, will be the third Tacos Varios that I've reported in my Tijuana writings alone, not to mention in other Mexican cities that I've visited.
Photo: Paco and Chico wait on a couple of customers, as the corn guy relaxes, and seems to have his eye on one of the ladies. It's easy to tell which guy is Paco, and which guy is Chico... I discovered this taco vendor on the west side of Av. Revolución, about halfway between Calle 9 and Calle 10, just a few blocks south of the tourist zone, but still considered part of downtown. Tacos Varios consists of a small, portable taco cart, staffed by two guys, Paco and Chico, and dispenses filling for six varieties of tacos, from large stainless steel pots, heated by propane. Next to the taco cart is a corn vendor, who seems to be loosely affiliated with the taco guys, but I couldn't be sure. Few tourists venture this far south on Av. Revolución, and probably even fewer tourists enjoy the fine tacos served by Tacos Varios, as most gringo tourists are wary of food dispensed by street vendors. Not me, as I love Tijuana street food! I asked Paco, who was making the tacos, what varieties of tacos they were serving, and he told me that normally they have six different fillings, but the only varieties they had today was cabeza and lengua. So for the small price of MEX $24.00, I ordered two tacos de lengua.
Photo: Paco is making one of my tacos, as I snap the photo on my visit of Tuesday, December 29, 2009. As Paco was making the tacos, I asked him a bit about their operation. He and his buddy Chico have been in the business for several years, and operate from the same spot six days a week. (I've seen them during previous visits to Tijuana) All fillings are made at their homes by family members before they set up shop in time for lunch. They remain open until they run out of food, which usually happens in the evening. Paco placed four corn tortillas on the griddle. When the tortillas were heated, he removed them from the griddle and placed them on a paper plate; each taco uses two tortillas, which makes for a deluxe taco. He reached into one of the pots, and scooped out some rice, and smeared the rice on each taco, then from another pot, he scooped out a couple of large spoonfuls of lengua, and then he asked me what else I wanted on my tacos. The only condiments they had were diced red onions, chopped cilantro, runny salsa roja, and a neon-green salsa verde, so I had him garnish my tacos with the somewhat limited choice of garnishes they offered.
Photo: Check out the neon green salsa on these tacos... it almost looks like the relish used on a Chicago style hot dog. Despite the unconventional appearance, this salsa was delicious, and complemented the outstanding flavor of the tacos. Tacos Varios is highly recommended! Despite the limited choice of condiments, the tacos were excellent and very filling. The lengua (tongue) was delicious and juicy, the rice was cooked perfectly, and the condiments were fresh and complimented the tacos. At a little under a U.S. dollar per taco, Tacos Varios is a little on the high side, but still a very good value and worth every centavo. Tacos Varios sells delicious tacos, served by two friendly guys, and represents a good value in Tijuana street food. Tacos Varios
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