You know those buses on Hillsborough Rd. that appear late at night? The ones decked out with string lights and neon, surrounded by picnic tables and an idling pickup truck or two? They’re our beloved taco trucks, and although we’ve already done a few sporadic posts about them, hopefully this one will cover many of your 2 am taco options.

[caption id="attachment_1214" align="aligncenter" width="470" caption="Taco Riendo Lopez #1 (across from Kroger)"][/caption]

First up is Taco Riendo Lopez,  which I assume is owned by the same people who run Taqueria …

Los Portales (2405 Holloway St.) may look like a run-down burger stand from the 70s, but make no mistake — it’s a full-fledged taqueria.

This awesome sign is posted right next to the covered park bench situation for those who’d like to eat their take-out as soon as possible.

The drive-up window is on the right, and the walk-up window is up front, next to the menu. After ordering, I tried to look as casual as I could while frantically soaking up all the amazing smells coming out of …

La Cordobesa (map) may not have the absolute best Cubano torta I’ve had (that award still goes to Costa Azul), but the Cordobesa Cubano does win in terms of sheer number of different meats: FIVE.  Unfortunately I’m not sure what they all were, but here is my best guess: ham, chicken, chorizo (I think), beef, hot dog.  There were no beans or egg, but it did have plenty of queso, avocado, and jalapeno.

We also tried two tacos: lengua …

First off, allow me congratulate the proprietors of this establishment on selecting a fine name, translated from the spanglish as “the buddy factory,” that puts a grin on my face. Their selection of both interior and exterior paints is equally cheery, a bright green outside and a light violet interior.

It seems that El Compadre Factory (2900 Holloway St) has recently changed ownership and name. Formerly, as Chino Latino, it had dancing on some nights. The booths still hug the walls and there …

A year ago I might not have believed that I could get something that good lookin at a gas station convenience store.  I know so much better now!

Tacostumbras recently opened in the Exxon “Town ‘n’ Country” convenience store on University Dr. and Dixon Rd.  Based on my limited Spanish, the name is really funny to me.  It seems like it should mean something like “Tacos: Get used to them!” or “You’ll get used to tacos” or something about having a taco habit (which I …

Like most taquerias in the area, Taqueria Mi Pueblo has weekend specials so I figured it was a good time to head over to east Durham.

Mi Pueblo has the works – tacos, tortas, corn-based quesadillas – and the weekend specials include soups and special meat options. Just for comparison’s sake, I tried a carnitas taco, and since it was Sunday, I went for a barbacoa de borrego (mutton barbecue) taco and a massive bowl of caldo de camaron (shrimp soup).

The tacos were every bit as good as …

Another week, another taqueria: this time it’s Taqueria Y Birreria Los Comales on Roxboro.

Located in an old Dunkin’ Donuts, Los Comales is a taqueria and “birreria,” which apparently roughly translates to “a mess”. Birreria is typically roasted goat (chivo) or mutton (borrego), and while it’s often served in platillos format, at Los Comales it’s in taco form. Wish I had known all this before going! I went for the pollo mole, lengua taco, and (of course) a pupusa.

The lengua was better than most, …

La Vaquita has always been a standby for tacos and tortas, maybe even a recognizable platillo.  Recently I decided to go further.  I came with a friend and got a little excited and so did the man working the counter.  He was noticably pleased by our order.  It was one of the coolest ordering experiences I’ve had, like we bonded.  He made me feel like one of Hemingway’s bull fighting aficionados (I know, too literary).  We ordered three plates and brought them home.  Before leaving the man called …

I was super excited to learn that Trinity Park was getting a locally-owned, nonfancy taqueria within walking distance. Chubby’s (748 Ninth Street) is where Xiloa used to be, and I think that it does a great job of filling in the Trinity Park taco gap. Service was fast, the food was good, and I’ll definitely be walking there a lot when I get back next fall.
An initial word on atmosphere: Chubby’s seems to be catering to the student clientele from nearby East Campus, toeing the line between generic …

I have been feeling very sorry for myself lately, so I decided to take a break from sitting in front of my computer not studying to go out for some tacos while not studying.  La Superior  (3325 North Roxoboro) provided a perfect diversion–it’s like a Latin American market nested inside a Latin American grocery store.  It has an almost carnival atmosphere that I knew would put me in a better mood.

            

Juice Bar      

     

Taqueria

We could have gone grocery shopping in Superior’s full-service …