WHAT JUMBACO?

Have you seen the ads for the Jumbaco? Jack-in-the-Box's Jumbo Jack and two tacos deal? Have you tried it?

I have, and I didn't even have the whole thing. I took a bite of Evan's Jumbaco! It is so much food - and thus such a steal, but thus really, really unhealthy. (Luckily, for you, there's not a soapbox in sight.)

So instead of getting a Jumbaco again on Monday night, Evan and I went out in search of a better taco. We found El Paladar Oaxaqueno, supposedly the best taco truck on the Westside (source).

Definitely one of the best. When Evan had to order (because I don't know a word in Spanish), I started getting really hungry. When the man next to us practically inhaled his taco after slathering on salsa rojas, I started salivating. And when our cashier told us that our order of two tacos and a burrito would only be $7.50, my mouth dropped wide open for all the food to come.

Oh boy, those tacos ($1.25 each) were good. I had a taco barbacoa, and a taco cabeza*. Especially the barbacoa, which reminded me of the ever so tender beef pieces in bún bò huế. That didn't need the salsa rojas, but I like my food with a good strong kick. The salsa rojas was slathered onto the cabeza, though. It tasted bland and was a bit chewier. I think that I should have gone with a meat that I knew. (Yes, I was being adventurous.)

Thankfully, Evan's burrito pollo ($5) was amazing. While the chicken was pretty damn good, you know what my favorite part was? The refried beans. I loathe refried beans, but oh man, these were good. Just smooth and salty and filling.

And again, the best part of this experience? $7.50 for all that food. I'm going back, especially when the quesillo taco ($2) looks like sheer heavenly nom-noms.

El Paladar Oaxaqueno (4/5)
Barry Ave. and Santa Monica Blvd. (after 8p.m.)
Los Angeles, CA 90024

Oh, and if you think that I'm going to be satisfied with just this taco truck, think again.

*Yes, it's misspelled in the photo. I didn't know until a quick bit of research after making the photo. Maybe I'll fix it one day, but it is past midnight, and I am an old lady, not a spunky college girl. Cabeza, by the way, is meat from the roasted head of a cow. Delicious, right?