La Imperial Taqueria (Post 2021.19)

Posted on 9 August 20219 August 2021 by Ed's Eats

*Photograph of delicious tacos from La Imperial Taqueria.*

*Outside of La Imperial Taqueria on Shafter, California.*

*Photograph of delicious tacos from La Imperial Taqueria.*

*Outside of La Imperial Taqueria on Shafter, California.*

Place: La Imperial Taqueria

Category: Tacos; Mexican

Website: https://laimperialtaqueria.com/

Yelp: https://www.yelp.com/biz/la-imperial-taqueria-shafter

Location: 189 E Lerdo Hwy, Shafter, CA 93263

Date of visit: 2021 May 8

On Saturday May 8 I decided to head to Bakersfield Speedway for some traditional sprint car races. Because of COVID they said their concession stands would be closed (although they ended up have some food for purchase under a tent). You can bring food in with you, but I decided to stop at La Imperial Taqueria in Schaffer, California instead. I got 6 tacos: 2 of each of Asada, Carnitas, and Pastor. They came with some lightly pickled onions and some slices of radish. The pickled onions were good but nothing amazing and the radishes were radishes: nothing much to say about them except they were fresh and tasty.

You might not be able to get the best pizza in California but you can get some darn good tacos. That’s what these were! They had a lot of meat considering the $2 each price tag. All three kinds I ordered were outstanding and I’d definitely get them all again. La Imperial Taqueria might become a routine stop on the way to Bakersfield Speedway for me. If I had to pick one of the three that was the best, I’d say the pastor was but, as I said, they were all great.

I don’t see myself going back except if I’m going to the races because I’d have no other reason to go near their location otherwise and it isn’t right

off the Interstate. Apparently, they have two other locations. One in Bakersfield and one in Wasco. Perhaps I can get to one of them (most likely the one in Wasco before a Wasco Reserves Pecos League baseball game).

El Grullense Jal 5 (Post 2021.17)

Posted on 10 July 2021 by Ed's Eats

Place: El Grullense Jal 5

Category: Road Food, Mexican, Tacos

Website: https://www.instagram.com/elgrullensejal5/

Yelp: https://www.yelp.com/biz/el-grullense-jal-santa-nella-2

Location: 12185 S. Hwy 33, Santa Nella, Ca 95322

Date of visit: 2021 April 10

When I finally got about an hour and half from home on my cross-country road trip, I was getting really hungry. Santa Nella Village (at least the part by I-5) is a bunch of truck stops, gas stations, fast food places, and a Pea Soup Andersen’s. I would have gone to Andersen’s as it is on my hit list, but I was getting tired and it was almost closing time for the restaurant. Instead of a fast-food chain, I decided to check out a taco truck. It seems every gas station in this oasis off of exit 407, if not connected to a fast-food place, has a taco truck in the parking lot. I mostly randomly choose this one but the Arco gas was the cheapest in the area so that was the deciding factor. I have since been to another taco truck off this exit so there will be a post for that one. Spoiler alert: both were delicious!

I noticed this truck has a #5 on it. I am not sure if that means there are more trucks by the same owners or if this is the fifth version of this owner’s truck. An internet search finds other places (both trucks and buildings) with the same name so I think there might be a relationship but what the relationship is, is unclear to me. Regardless, El Grullense Jal is definitely not a huge multi-national corporation so good enough to make it to Ed’s Eats!

I decide to purchase one taco and one burrito. Both were amazing. Like most of these taco trucks they offer various meats and the two I had, carne asada and al pastor, were both perfectly cooked and seasoned. The toppings and condiments that came with the food were also tasty and the prices were good.

One thing I liked about this taco truck is that they had some picnic tables under a tent. Since I stopped by at night the tent wasn’t important this time but during the day Santa Nella can get hot. The last time I drove through there during the day it was about 105 degrees! A lot of taco trucks have no seating so this is definitely a plus and I will be stopping at El Grullense Jal 5 again! You should too if you want tasty Mexican food and you are in the area.

Tita’s Pupuseria Lonchera (Post 2021.8)

Posted on 22 February 202121 February 2021 by Ed's Eats

Place: Tita’s Pupuseria

Category: Mexican, Salvadoran

Website: http://places.singleplatform.com/titas-pupuseria/menu

Yelp: https://www.yelp.com/biz/titas-pupuseria-buttonwillow

Location: 20645 Tracy Ave Buttonwillow, CA 93206

Date of visit: 2021 February 20

On the evening of Saturday, February 20 I was driving home from Bakersfield and wanted to grab a bite to eat. I took exit 257 off of I-5 to find something. This exit, besides having a few gas stations with cheap gas, has a TA truck stop, various fast food restaurants, a Starbucks, and some local restaurants. One of them is Willow Ranch which has great breakfasts and other food. However, instead of going there or one the fast food places (despite the temptation of a Shamrock shake), I decided to pull over where there were two food trucks. Only one of the two was open and that turned out to be Tita’s Pupuseria.

On Yelp Tita’s is listed as having Mexican and Salvadoran food. I was originally going to get tacos but I saw a gentleman with a huge burrito sitting at a picnic table so I changed my mind and ordered an asada (beef) burrito. The burrito included meat, rice, cilantro, and lettuce. I went with beef because carnitas (pork) was two dollars more for some reason. The asada burrito one was quite good and I’d get it again but next time I might try the carnitas (or perhaps some other option).

Since I recently wrote about another burrito I got in King City one might ask which was better. I’ d say they were different. I can see some people liking Tita’s better but for me, I liked Tacos La Potranca De Jalisco. That said Tita’s was really good and better than your run of the mill burrito. If I want a quick meal while driving past Buttonwillow I would definitely stop there before the Taco Bell down the street and I recommend you do the same.

Tacos La Potranca De Jalisco (Post 2021.6)

Posted on 13 February 202121 February 2021 by Ed's Eats

Place: Tacos La Potranca De Jalisco

Category: Mexican

Website: hhttps://www.tacoslapotrancadejalisco.com/

Yelp: https://www.yelp.com/biz/tacos-la-potranca-de-jalisco-king-city

Location: 201 Broadway St, King City, CA 93930

Date of visit: 2021 February 7

On the afternoon of Sunday, February 7, 2021 I found myself in King City, California after going backpacking. I was pretty hungry so I decided to stop at Tacos La Potranca De Jalisco for lunch. While there looked to be a number of good places for lunch in King City I chose this place because I liked that it was a walk-up window and there were some tables out front. After backpacking I was probably pretty smelly and was kind of warn out so this seemed like a good option.

I ordered a burrito and two tacos for a total of $10.98 (including tax). Because it was the day of the big football game they had a special were they were also giving customers a free fountain drink. You might think at first glance that $10.98 is not very cheap, but if you saw the size of the burrito and the tacos you would know that it was enough food to feed two people. The burrito, especially, was huge!

Tacos La Potranca De Jalisco offers a wide range of meat choices as well as vegetarian options. While I didn’t go for a vegetarian option, a person behind me in line did and she said it was really good. I went with an asada (beef) and a pastor (bar-b-que pork) taco. The burrito I ordered was filled with carnitas (shredded pork), rice, beans, onions, cilantro, and salsa. Other meat options include pollo (chicken), lengua (beef tongue), cabeza (beef head), tripas (beef intestines).

As I already mentioned the tacos and burrito were huge. They were also delicious! I think they may have been the best I’ve ever had. If not, they were right up there. All three meat options I tried were great. It is hard to a favorite but I’d probably say I liked the pastor pork the best of the three. The food was also served with pickled carrots which were really good as well. I almost was going to ask if they would sell me a container of the carrots to bring home.

photo of burrito — *Carnitas burrito from Tacos La Potranca De Jalisco in King City, CA.*

Although I don’t find myself in or near King City often, I will definitely go to Tacos La Potranca De Jalisco again. I probably won’t get a burrito and two tacos though because it was too much food. I was stuffed after eating them. Would I suggest someone to drive an hour from the city City of Monterey just to go to Tacos La Potranca De Jalisco? No, that would be silly considering he number of places to get tacos nearby. However, if you are ever driving past King City on 101 and want to get something to eat, I highly suggest you give it a try.

Taqueria Zarape (Post 2021.5)

Posted on 31 January 202121 February 2021 by Ed's Eats

Taqueria Zarape's buildine — *Photograph of the exterior of Taqueria Zarape.*

Place: Taqueria Zarape

Category: Mexican

Website: http://taqueriazarape.com/

Yelp: https://yelp.to/T86mL63Fvdb

Location: 1107 Fremont Blvd. Seaside, CA 93955

Date of visit: 2021 January 31

On Sunday, January 31, 2021 I went to Taqueria Zarape for the first time. I really have no excuse for not getting to this place before because it has always been on my list since I moved to the area. The old time drive-up style building is very inviting. I think the main reason I haven’t been here before is I tend to acquire my tacos from food truck so had no need to go get a taco elsewhere.

While we are once again allowed to dine outside in Monterey and Taqueria Zarape had a few tables set up, I decided to get my food to go. I ordered a taco and enchilada combination platter for $9.99 before tax.. The combination platter came with beans and rice as well as some salsa and chips. I noticed that they have a salsa bar which was obviously closed due to the current circumstances. However, I’m intrigued.

*Taco and enchilada combination platter from Taqueria Zarape*

Taqueria Zarape has a wide range of meat options. For the more adventurous readers choices include beef tripe, beef tongue, and pig stomach. I was not that adventurous and got a carne asada (beef steak) taco and a carnitas (shredded pork) enchilada. They also have a couple of chicken options, a couple of other pork options, and chorizo.

The taco was pretty big. The carne asada filling and the toppings were delicious. The enchilada was also a good size. The carnitas inside was cooked perfectly and the enchilada sauce was tasty. I really enjoyed both and don’t know which one I liked better. The chips, beans and rice filled out the meal nicely. They all tasted good and between all the food I was fill by the time.

As usual it is hard to judge customer service when getting take out but I definitely have no complaints. The staff was friendly and there was no delay in getting my food. Instead of ordering ahead, I ordered when I arrived. It did not take them very long before my food was ready—I was actually surprised it was ready so soon!

I definitely will be bag to try some of their other foods and different meat choices. I doubt I’ll be adventurous enough to try the pig stomach or the beef tripe but perhaps I’ll give the beef tongue a try. I also noticed they have some breakfast platter and breakfast burritos for reasonable prices. I really haven’t found many breakfast places I like in Monterey. There are some places that have great food but they are not all that cheap. Perhaps Taqueria Zarape’s breakfast offerings will fill that void for me.

Lupita’s Bakery (Post 2020.1)

Posted on 22 November 202022 November 2020 by Ed's Eats

Baked goods on a rack — *An assortment of baked goods on racks at Lupita’s Bakery.*

Place: Lupita’s Bakery

Category: Mexican, Bakery

Website: https://www.lupitasbaking.com/

Yelp: https://www.yelp.com/biz/lupitas-bakery-seaside-2

Location: 1048 Broadway Ave., Seaside, CA 93955

Date of visit: 2020 November 22

I wanted to get some rolls so I decided to check out a new-to-me bakery. The choice was Lupita’s Bakery in Seaside, California. It is one of a number of Mexican bakeries in the vicinity and, like most of the others, besides having baked goods they also have “fast” Mexican food including tacos, tamales, burritos, and gorditas. They also have breakfast offerings for a reasonable price. I can’t speak for these any of these dishes as I only tried the baked goods.

Corn muffin and two rools — *Two rolls and a corn muffin from Lupita’s.*

I purchased two rolls and a corn muffin for a total of $1.70 which I felt was a good deal. The corn muffin was a little sweet for my taste but otherwise was very good. It was the size of a normal cupcake and not a huge muffin like you get elsewhere but priced accordingly. Get two if you’re hungry! I should note that I do not have much of a sweet tooth and tend to not like things as sweet as others so do not take the sweetness as a criticism but more as an observation. If you like your corn muffins sweet, I don’t think you will be disappointed The texture was just about perfect and the muffin had a nice corn taste to it.

I think the rolls were slightly above average for the bakeries around here. I like a little more crunch in the crust and a bit more fluffiness inside. However, I’ve come to realize something as delicious as a New Jersey hard roll is not something I can get away from New Jersey (well, maybe I can in the Czech Republic or Germany, but I digress). Oh well, the search continues but as I said these weren’t bad and I’d get rolls from Lupita’s again.

Exterior view of Lupita's Bakery — *Exterior view of Lupita’s Bakery.*

The variety of breads and pastries are not as huge as some other places but they still have a good selection. Apparently they switch up the bakery offerings so you may not see all of the same choices every time you go.

Since I just picked out my baked goods and took them to the counter I can’t really say much about the customer service but the person that checked me out was friendly and quickly rung me up.

I would definitely go back to Lupita’s Bakery. Next time maybe I’ll go there for lunch or dinner and try some of their food offerings.