I often drive past gas station taco stands and don’t stop. I want to stop. I want to stop every time, even when I’m not hungry. But for some reason it’s not always convenient to stop or I need to get somewhere, or I think I’ll stop by soon.
Whatever the reason… It can sometimes take months or even a year to finally stop and try a gas station taco I haven’t yet experienced.
This week I finally had the pleasure to stop by a cart I saw last year when I was driving through Salt Lake City while moving my twin sons to their new college, The University of Utah. It was a busy summer last year with a lot of change happening for all of us. Yet, one afternoon, I caught a taco sign along the road side at a gas station that I knew I had to try.
This summer was a little different. Things are settled and my sons are living in Salt Lake City this summer. My wife and I decided to spend a month in the city as part of our summer break, while our kids did their summer job. Meaning it was finally time to stop for some gas station tacos.
Tacos Mi Pueblito is a simple truck with a small folding table and some chairs. The condiments and salsas are kept in a cooler and one guy ran the truck. There were a lot of options for a small operation like this. Tacos, burritos, quesadillas, tortas, sopes, elotes, and even hot dogs. But we were all here for tacos.
I ordered a couple carne asada tacos along with a carnitas and an al pastor, but you can get a lot more adventurous here.
I honestly wasn’t expecting a lot.
It is Utah. It is a tiny one maned truck with no line. It was in the more upper middle-class area of town.
So, when I took my first bite, I was immediately surprised that the tortillas were legit and a highlight of the tacos. They weren’t store bought or were at least brought to life with some heat and crispy edges. The carne asada was pretty flavorful too with the juiciness drizzling out of the tacos and into my Styrofoam container. The salsa roja was spicy. Unexpectedly, as it was quite hot and delivered a hell of a punch. While the salsa verde – that I preferred, still had some heat but was more balanced and a good choice for the asada and carnitas.
The carnitas was decent. Flavorful, but none of the crispy bits I really love from a carnitas taco.
On a lesser note, the al pastor was rich in color but not in flavor. I would skip it and try some other options next time like the suadero or chorizo. Both I haven’t had yet, but plan to next time.
And that’s a good sign. I want to try more. This is a classic taco cart and great place to stop for a quick bite. Something I won’t wait to do after passing it several times. And nor should you, pass it. Instead, stop and enjoy some tacos and even an elotes.
I give it 4 oil drops for Salt Lake City. Yes, that’s a caveat. I would give it 3 oil drops in Los Angeles, as it’s a far more competitive taco market. That doesn’t mean Tacos Mi Pueblito isn’t worth stopping at. It is. Enjoy some tacos, just don’t come with a high expectation.
Gas Station: Craig’s Service Center
Address: 904 S 1300 E, Salt Lake City, UT 84105
Rating (4 out of 5 oil drops):
Gas Station Tacos 
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