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Tacos Varios de Victor is a taco stand that few Tijuana locals seem to pass by, as it's been said that Victor produces some of the best tacos in town. I had heard about this taco stand, located on the busy corner of Calle 5 and Av. Constitución, in downtown Tijuana, and I just had to check it out, to see for myself if, indeed, Victor's tacos were as good as I'd heard about. On Tuesday, December 29, 2009, I located Victor's taco stand and true to form, it was packed with locals. During a break in the action, I had the opportunity to speak with Victor, the owner and operator.
Photo: Tacos Varios de Victor is located on a busy street corner in downtown Tijuana, and has become a favorite with the locals. The official name of the taco stand is Tacos Varios, but how many "Tacos Varios" are located in Tijuana? Hundreds? Although the name isn't printed on the stand, the official name of the restaurant is Tacos Varios de Victor, the friendly guy who makes the delicious tacos happen. Between customers, I had the opportunity to chat with Victor, and he was pleased to tell me about his operation, as he seems to be proud of his accomplishments. He complimented me on my Spanish, and told me that he sees few gringos as customers, as most gringos avoid Av. Constitución, as most Americans prefer the plain-vanilla tourist fare offered on Av. Revolución, one block to the east. Victor told me that he's been on the corner for a year; previously he was located at the corner of Articulo 123 and Constitución, but got chased off the corner for reasons that I couldn't determine. Well, then I got down to the business of what varieties he sells, and it turns out that he sells, birria, cabeza, lengua and carne asada. I asked him why he doesn't sell tripe tacos, and he told me that he considers tripe unsanitary when its sold on the street, as it requires special handling that can't be provided in a small operation, on a busy street corner. I didn't know that... For condiments, he offers the usual: Salsa verde, salsa roja, chopped cilantro, and diced white onions. He also told me that his tacos are big, as each taco uses two corn tortillas, and includes rice and beans. Ok, Victor, sign me up for two tacos de lengua!
Photo: Victor waits on a couple of customers. Note that he offers a few stools, but most Mexicans are quite adept eating while standing up.
Photo: Mr. Taco himself, Victor, as he poses at his taco stand. Various taco fillings are kept in the heated stainless steel pots. Victor keeps all of the various ingredients in stainless steel pots, heated by propane. He told me that most of the fillings are prepared elsewhere, as his location is quite crowded, and it's difficult to offer a quality product under these conditions. This guy seems to obsessed with quality, and full of pride for his operation... Anyway, Victor placed four corn tortillas on the griddle to toast. When the tortillas were toasted, he placed them on a plastic plate, one tortilla on top of the other, and then he reached into one of the post and dabbed runny refried beans on the tortillas, followed by a scoop or two of rice, and then the lengua - big, steamy chunks of lengua - followed by salsa verde and a bit of cilantro, as per my request.
Photo: Two HUGE tacos de lengua, garnished with rice, refried beans, and delicious salsa verde. Victor's tacos are big, juicy and delicious. I truly can see why people are raving about the tacos served at Tacos Varios de Victor, as these tacos were some of the best tacos that I've had the pleasure to enjoy on the streets of Tijuana. When I say big, I mean BIG, as two of these tacos were enough for me, and this was my first meal of the day. I paid MEX $26.00 for two tacos, which is slightly higher than the going rate, but Victor's tacos are BIG, delicious, filling, and worth every peso extra. Now I see what many of the Tijuana locals have been raving about... Tacos Varios de Victor Copyright(c) 2011 eRench Productions, Inc. All rights reserved. This site has been on the web since December 22, 2002. Web page design has been created by eRench Productions, Inc., custon photography for any occasion...
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