Mike's Red Tacos Truck

I've been reading how birria has been one of the latest food "fads" over the last year or so. Of course, it isn't Birria de Chivo (goat) being mentioned, but Birria de Res, the beef version. Folks who've been reading our little blog for a while know that I really enjoy birria and over the last 7-8 years, I've found my favorite birria de res....from Fernandez Restaurant in Nestor, which has become a favorite of mine. The birria de res is so flavorful, tender, the consommé is so well seasoned that you can just squeeze in a bit of lime, add onions and cilantro and make a meal of by itself. The tortillas have been dipped in the comsomme and placed on the comal, but are always still pliable and up to the task of handling the well flavored, tender birria (must get the tacos "nervio" - topped with buttery tenson).......you get the point, right? 

The popularity of birria tacos hit home when I read about Mike's Red Tacos in Eater. You see, the food truck was going to be stationed in Bay Park! I guess birria really has hit the mainstream now. The truck was scheduled to be in the parking lot of the long running, but now closed Old Trieste restaurant on Fridays, from 4pm. My good buddy Candice was also kind enough to inform me of the opening as well since it's in my 'hood. I was working from home on the first day of business and since I normally start around 530-6 and with no late meetings, I could call "pau hana time" by 330 and headed on down to Morena. I got there at 345....and oh my.....

Man, check out that line!

 In some ways it was quite heartening. It showed me that folks in the area really want more variety and (hopefully) quality.

On the other hand; it was 40 minutes in line and then the wait. Another 40 minutes later, I got my tacos. I really felt for folks as the line kept getting longer. The girl taking orders and working the register was very friendly, though of course this was "opening day" and I'm not sure they expected this kind of reception. I know I didn't.

So, two birria tacos and consomme......

 So, first off; the tortillas did well, they held up to the  barrage of sauce and meat juices quite well. I liked the fact that they were dunked in the "consomme"....however....

The consomme was so bland and devoid of flavor that the only leg to stand on was mouthfeel.....and at this point it just felt like I was drinking and dunking my tacos into a vat of grease. The actual beef in the tacos was a bit on the dry and stringy side....and the flavor was quite mild, though it had a bit of beefiness to it. I had hopes for some nice savory-smokey flavors. So.....this was closer to "food not too offend" then birria de res to me. I had requested salsas, but with all the customers and such it had been left out.

And so, because this food truck is in my neighborhood, I decided to wait a month before revisiting. By this time, the hours had changed to Saturdays from noon until they ran out of product. They were still quite busy at noon on Saturday when I arrived.

The service was still smiling and friendly and the wait much shorter than before. Things I expected after that initial grand opening surge.

This time around I ordered a birria taco....with queso, a mulita, and of course some consomme.

   The first thing I tasted when I got home was the consomme. It was still very bland which left me with a greasy mouthfeel....I'm thinking that Mike believes that the consomme is just for dipping and should not be consumed on its own.

The taco with queso was better than on my last visit. A bit more flavor, the meat more tender....the cilantro, onions, and a squeeze of lime helped things, but it was the cheese....which added a nice textural addition as well as some milkiness that did help. It was still really mild for my palate. I think the tortilla could have spent a bit more time on the comal, which would have added more crispness and a bit of caramelization. But that's just me.

As for the Mulita......well, it was a bit too much for me.

 A lot of cheese as both sides were coated.....think of this a sort of a quesadilla if you will. Again, if the tortillas, which were quite good had been a bit charred adding some crispness and caramelization....perhaps it would be a different story. This was just a bit too rich for me and the beefiness seemed a bit lost here.

As for the salsas....I enjoyed the salsa verde the most. The acidity really helped to cut the richness. And yes, lime is your best friend here.

 In then end; well, like I always say, I'm not happy "just to have something". And yet, I'm pleased to see folks out to support this business. And hope it's a bellwether of things to come.

On my first visit to Mike's, while waiting for my tacos, a nice, friendly gentleman walked over to me and asked me if I'd ever had Birria before.......I'm thinking that he's used to the more "hip" folks...I named off a couple of places and then mentioned Fernandez and also how much I enjoy birria de chivo.....which led to an interesting surprised look and an "ok....I hope you enjoy yourself" as he walked away.......

Mike's Red Tacos - Currently in the parking lot of Old Trieste
2335 Morena Blvd.
San Diego, CA 92110
Current Hours:
Saturday - Noon - 7pm

Comments

[kat]

greasy mouthfeel not good

[Som Tommy]

A friend of mine was raving about this truck. Thanks for the review.

[Junichi]

So the claim of worlds best birria is a bit of a stretch.

[Kirk]

Not good at all Kat!

If you've never had Birria, you might like this ST.

More than a bit in my opinion Junichi.

[Soo]

That's good the wait isn't bad.

[Kirk]

Yes, the novelty is wearing off a bit Soo.

[Si]

Too bad ... went to Fernandez once and it was so good! Wish it is closer or other good Birria around.

[Kirk]

I wish Fernandez was closer to me as well Si!