Guns and Tacos

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Taqueria Taconmadre

Pasadena, Texas is a city of industry. Everyone you meet is an operator of something. Growing up in LaPorte, TX, you were expected to work in a plant somewhere. Many of the guys I grew up with ended up with the same job as their dad, and got a house and kids in the same neighborhood.  If you are driving down 225, remarkably, the stale pollution smell hits you at the exact same time as you see the “Pasadena City Limits” sign.  If you are driving through Pasadena at night, you will see more police cars than civilian cars, and they will pull you over just for not driving a truck.


I don’t have a problem with police, but I do have a problem with Pasadena police. As a teenager, I was pulled over once with three Hispanic friends in the car with me. Why? Because my car was blue. And blue is also a gang color, I guess. We were photographed and added to a “suspected gang member” watchlist, although none of us were breaking any laws at the time. After that, I was pulled over regularly. You know, for being a suspected gang member. That was just the start of my troubles in Pasadena (some of which actually were my direct responsibility), and I pledged never to return.

Ever.

As you can see on the taco map at the top right of the page, there aren’t many spots in the Southeast area. It’s not because there are no tacos there, because oh boy, there are plenty. It’s because I hate Pasadena with the fury of a thousand sun gods.

However, due to the astounding number of taco eateries in this area I had to buckle on this commitment and understand that Pasadena could no longer be ignored. I called up my old friend Mando the Pitbull, who lives in the area. We call him that because he injures people.

We cruised down Edgebrook, right off of 45, in Pitbull’s gleaming F150. I hadn’t been on this street in years, and I liked what I saw. Scores of taco trucks extended down both sides of the street. I grinned from ear to ear as Mando adjusted the settings on the Rockford-Fosgate Power T500 amplifier with his cell phone, pushing 2200 watts to each of the three T215D2 Powerstage 2 15-inch subwoofers. A hairline crack in the asphault spidered across the street, as a flight of pigeons went into a collective seizure. You know how armies sometimes play drums while they march into battle?  It’s the same concept, I think. Rather than surprise his enemies, he prefers to announce his wrath from afar.

I spotted Taqueria Taconmadre on the left, which looks like a small restaurant with three army-green school bus-sized taco trucks in the parking lot, two of which were closed. Neon signs advertised some of their non-typical cuisine, such as enchiladas poblanas and elotes. I couldn’t really figure out the restaurant- the door was unlocked, but it just went into a small room with another door. Whatever.

I ordered at the truck: one suadero, one al pastor (they call it “trompo”), one fajita, and one barbacoa. I opened up my foil, and they looked and smelled great.  I frowned at the odd pre-packaged, seemingly factory-sealed salsa pouch. After dousing with lime and a touch of salt, I applied the brownish-red  salsa and chowed down. The salsa had a bold, surprising and complex taste that I was instantly enamored with. I put it on everything. The al pastor stood out with a very unique, rich and delicious taste. On a street where taco trucks reign, Taconmadre makes its mark with unique seasonings and some of my favorite red salsa around. It’s also open 24/7.   As we enjoyed our tacos, a police cruiser pulled a Taurus over in the parking lot, brought the guy to the back of the vehicle and started patting him down. Probably one of those non-truck driving gang member types.

"Pitbull" Armando is smiling. Mando never smiles.

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10 Responses to “Taqueria Taconmadre”

  1. Harlow says:

    You need to venture further into the darkness of Pasadena, down Richey or Southmore and off some of the side streets. There are dozens of smaller taquerias in the area. Anything north of Spencer is worth a taste test.
    Stay off Spencer… infamous police traffic.
    One place I have not tried is the many little stands inside the MiTienda grocery store at the corner of Spencer and Shaver. Anyway… good to see you’ve made the trip inside Pasadena again.
    Cool website!

  2. Rich "Chuy" Davidson says:

    Jay, you rock so hard, Man. I’m so glad your blog’s getting the attention it deserves. Here’s an article I just couldn’t resist sending to you.

    http://www.chron.com/disp/story.mpl/metropolitan/6850527.html

    Paz,
    Rico

  3. Great review! My girlfriend grew up on Edgebrook and turned me on to this place. They actually make and package that salsa and when they run out they pack the salsa in sandwich bag corners just like an old school dime bag.

    The best thing is when its cold or raining outside the cute little taco chick will come up to your window and take your order.
    .-= Chris Olbekson´s last blog ..Support Local Grow Together =-.

  4. […] closely, you’ll hear Chingo Bling give Taqueria Taconmadre a shout. I love Houston. Share and […]

  5. sam says:

    dude, edgebrook is Houston, tacon madre is the shit though.I grew up off wafer and live oak in pasadena.stay away for the same reasons..holla

  6. Yolanda Fraga says:

    hahaha too funny that’s my cousin Mando too funny I bumped into this page… Well as for the tacos i really never tasted their tacos cause i heard bad stuff bout them but you should check out El Jalapeno which is right there by Edgebrook its a taco truck that’s parked in the Mobil. Its green and white cant miss it! Its the best dollar tacos ever! Their delicious! Estilo Monterrey!

  7. Yolanda Fraga says:

    oh and fyi from what I heard Chingo Bling owns Taconmadre..

  8. That is pretty instresting. I think that pitbulls are just very misunderstood

  9. Oh my! Oh my! Your first picture says it all. All the text was blocked out of my sight and all I could see was the delicious tacos!! I want some!!

    Davi
    My Blog – Custo Cirurgia Plastica

  10. I am seeking employment as a cook. I do have extensive experience in cooking skills including preparation meals, soup, sauce, frying, boiling, deep fry and cook rice. I will send you my resume.
    My phone number is 832-425-5749 or 281-650-4655

    Thank you,
    Vicente Gonzales

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