Dining Out on the Taco Trail : Continued
rookie “ taco trailer ” and a non “ taco crawler .” It was a tough call , but we all have to live with our choices . Mike went off the rails and ordered a healthy verde quema grasa ( a natural green juice blended with cacti , pineapple , grapefruit , celery , perejil ( parsley ). I wondered , “ what was happening to us ?”
We pre-arranged Nayeli Ceja-Anguiano to crash the party . Nayeli and Karyn go back years with us to the Gilroy Sunrise Rotary Club days , the Gilroy Chamber of Commerce , and a few other local orgs . We were having so much fun , our server joined the party and sat down with us to share some laughs . She gave us great personal service and reminded me why I love Gilroy . Get here and take in their full menu of great food and healthy drinks … if you ’ re into that !
Too much fun and great tacos at El Charrito
El Flor de Jalisco Market and Taqueria
We rolled out of El Charrito heading south on Monterey to Lewis Street . We hung a left and proceeded “ over the tracks ” which , when translated , means one block east . It was there we came upon El Flor de Jalisco . This diamond of a tienda and taqueria is located at 144 Lewis St . This place is the OG bomb ! Go through the left side entry door and you ’ re in a cozy but loaded tienda de comestibles ( grocery store ). Head in on the right-side and you are at the counter of a small but mighty taqueria staffed by the hardest working people we saw along the taco trail . I mentioned I was on the hunt for the best chorizo taco . The young woman taking our order gave me a look and asked ,“ Especial ?” I knew I found it . They have a secret menu and chorizo tacos are just one of the items .
Mike and Karyn shared an asada taco , Deb had tripas again , also good . I had the secret menu chorizo taco … best ever . These classic street tacos had slightly crispy soft tacos , loaded with meat , cilantro and onions . We covered them in a nice salsa they provided and munched them down with smiles . No beers at this stop — just serious tacos and water . We considered the tacos to be right up there with the best in town . We were done and it was time to go . Vamos por mas tacos y cervezas !
Carnitas Michoacan and Surprise # 3
Rolling into Carnitas Michoacan on foot , we lucked out a bit . Home of amazing carnitas by the pound , the line is usually pretty long — but always worth the wait . Weekends are especially busy . However , we hit a pocket of calm in-between the waves of people normally in line . Realizing we arrived in the front row , we ordered quickly . Mike , Deb and Karyn had carnitas tacos , I opted forthe chorizo taco , and discovered it
Carnitas Michoacan
was too close to call between the last stop and this one . Their green salsa was voted the best of the day . And as we munched our street tacos , in walked Kneaded Bakery ’ s Chef Carlos Pineda , Catering Chef Keshon Southy , and Catering Manager Andrew Briggs . These three local superstars go back a long way with Karyn through Rotary , Chamber , and Kneaded events over the years . Karyn has also supported Kneaded by having them cater events and parties for her in the past . So when they walked in it was a nice surprise .
We hung out for a while there , laughing and chatting it up with the Kneaded crew . I opted for a Coke ® which confirmed I was not a true taco crawler . Mike had a horchata . Deb and Karyn opted for water . I mean , at our age we should be proud of the effort thus far . I just wasn ’ t sure I could face Justin and Andrea ever again .
Great tacos at El Grullense Jalisco on Church and Welburn
El Grullense Jalisco
We stuffed ourselves into the Mini Cooper and headed to El Grullense Jalisco on Church St . and Welburn Ave . I ordered a chile verde taco . OMG it was great . Deb loved her tripas taco , and Mike had a great carnitas taco . Karyn had an al pastor taco and exclaimed “ yummy !” I got back on the wagon , and washed down my taco with a Modelo . Mike had sangria in a bottle , and Deb had horchata . The owner was super cool and his classic street tacos with cilantro , onion , and pickled carrots on the side were great . At 2.75 ea ., they were also a great value . Moms and dads , load up the kids .
Los Costeñitos Restaurant
A short walk across Church Street we found our next stop , Los Costeñitos Restaurant , next to Pinocchio ’ s Pizza . Mike ordered
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