Taco Truck Indonesia

Almost all overseas students studying in the Western civilization must be really familiar with the concept of a 'food truck' and personally I had lost counts on the multiple times I spent my time running across campus and the city itself, sparing some 15 minutes on the way having some Kebab or Tacos for lunch. And I must be really honest, some of the best Kebabs I had eaten during the entire of my Uni student life is from a Greek man selling from a food truck at the Lincoln Street gas station. Well..those are the good 'younger' days and what about here in Jakarta? We're more practical in a way that our street food is much less mobile (Warteg, Kaki Lima, etc). Not that it is bad in any way but this concept of Food Truck just made me excited, a concept that is so familiar in other countries can yet be still 'fresh' in Jakarta and made you go 'oooh wow...they have it here...'.

The first time I saw this particular exact same taco truck was in Kelapa Gading and I wanted to badly try it. But I was in a rush and I couldn't make time for that stop. Then the second time was last Sunday in Pantai Indah Kapuk. Upon seeing it, I brake the car and got down to have a munch. This taco truck made it quite interesting. There is only 1 truck available and they will go round Jakarta with all of their crew selling Mexican. There are ways to track them, by following their status on the Facebook and Twitter which they will update in advance. I like their fun concept, of having to track them down and thus made it more difficult to purchase and hence 'exclusive' in a sense.

Besides having to track them all the time, you're allowed to cater them. Imagine if you have a casual outdoor party at your backyard in your home. And you hate to cook and does not have the time even to take away food. No worries! Cater them and they'll park nicely and you can have your guest having Mexican food all day long.

They don't have an extensive list of food choice in their menu but those are definitely the essential ones in any Mexican joints. So as for the menu, I pretty pleased with it. I only got to try the tacos ( FYI, I just had lunch 30 minutes prior to this --__--" ). I saw others getting their nachos and burritos which made me rather jealous. I always think it's a little bit bias if you only taste one dish in the entire menu, but hey wrong tummy capacity at the wrong time.

While waiting for the truck's kitchen hand to prepare my take away, I thought Jakarta is very slowly starting to welcome Mexican food. For yearsss, I'm only familiar with Hacienda (Arcadia, Plaza Senayan) then only quite recently I had a bite at Taco Local and was invited for a blogger event in Sombrero (Grand Indonesia). Having this taco truck moving around Jakarta is quite educational actually, introducing a larger population to the rather new 'Mexican Flavors'. 

So if I may recommend the owner (if you happen to read this review), maybe for the next project you might think towards 'Greek Food'. It has a similar vibe to a Mexican; Tacos and Kebabs? The entire idea of a Kebab Truck with other dish such as fried calamari and shrimps can fit nicely too.

Menu : Bulgogi Beef Soft Tacos
Price : Rp 35,000
Score : 7.0 / 10

>> I had this 2 portion of beef tacos for only Rp 35,000 which is a reasonable price tag. The fillings were extensive, they put a good chunk of guacamole sauce, tomatoes, onions, cucumbers, lettuce, etc, all those good bits that contribute the sour and the spicy part of a Mexican Taco. I like the taste of the fillings but not so much on the skin. I felt they should have toast it much more. It still has a little of the 'doughy' after taste. Overall, I would still recommend you all to give it a try. Mind you that the cooking period can be quite lengthy with you standing while waiting for it made it felt even longer hahahaha...

So, the ultimate question : "Do I like it?". Yesss I certainly do, seven pointer for my tongue is very generous. But sadly I tried Taco Local (See Post 13 September 2013) and I would say Taco Local has better food. Nevertheless, I would definitely have a go on it again the next time I passes by, although I wouldn't so much as to track them down.

Taco Truck Indonesia

Track Them in Facebook, Twitter & Instagram : Taco Truck Indonesia

To Cater : +62 877 808 67888

Taco Local

I've been to Panglima Polim area many times but didn't manage to notice Taco Local. Well the name says it all, it's Mexican food. Before I begin, I'd like to thank 'Andy' who recommended me to this eatery, I was complaining about a bad Mexican joint, he commented on my post and advised me to have a go for Taco Local.

It was a Sunday noon and I just finish practicing for the Marathon run coming up in October. A bunch of friends and I practiced ran 8 km and after a quick shower and a changed outfit we were growling with hunger. 

Initially we nearly drove pass the place. The facade is very simple. Nothing posh or sleek looking. A plain white 2 storey shop house. It has this messy porch in front and the additional bougainvilleas makes it look a little bit like a house to me. Just for your information, Taco Local is sandwiched between a bike shop and 'Manja'. 

I wasn't expecting anything. The facade was messy and 'homey'. Thus I was actually eager to come in. It feels like a commune place where you can dress super casually and have a chat over good food. The decor didn't scream Mexico at all, no sombrero or jalapenos hang anywhere. Just simple cement flooring, white plain walls and tiles on the other side, wooden stools and bench tables arranged like back in boarding school days. You got order at the counter and pay up, very much self service kind of thing. I must say this is nothing fancy but certainly loved it. A good change from your lounge, bar and cafes scene that is popping out all over Jakarta.

Menu : Saparella

Price : Rp 20,000 ++

Score : 7.0 / 10

>> The person at the counter introduced us this and called it their house soda. Gotta like the shape of the bottle, very sexy I thought it resembles like a lady's oversize hip hahaha. Anyways 'Saparella' taste like the normal 'Sarsi' soda drink. 

It has been quite sometime since the last time I came across Sarsi or even longer, had a gulp at it. This brings back good memories actually. Well as for the taste, what can go wrong with sugar and soda? It's not something that Taco Local brewed at their own kitchen but hey it is sugary soda and it always taste good. So hence the score of a seven.

Menu : Al Pastor Tacos

Price : Rp 32,000 ++
Score : 8.5 / 10

>> Yummmm! This beautiful tacos consist of grilled pork shoulder, pickle cabbage, salsa fresca, salsa verde and grilled pineapple. Love it!!! The pork was succulent, tender and super generous with the amount of meat. The salsa, pickled cabbage and pineapple gave the sauce a slight bbq taste but with just an extra pinch of sour. I went on to quirt the small wedge of lime and the level of sour was just right on the dot for me. The base of the tortilla could have been toasted and hence increase the crisp but they didn't do that. It was soft and still manage to hold all the fillings on top just well.

Menu : Lengua

Price : Rp 32,000 ++
Score : 9.0 / 10

>> Lengua has grilled tongue, salsa fresca, guacamole and crispy pork rind as the fillings. How does it taste? It was better than Al Pastor! I took a bite and geezzz...the grilled tongue was exactly how I liked it; thick, cut into cubes, tender and succulent. The sauce was less sour than Al Pastor but instead a more of a salty taste while Al Pastor is more sweet and bbq. I couldn't figure out the guacamole maybe to the small amount smeared inside but regardless what sauce this has inside, it was good !! The tortilla wasn't toasted and hence pretty much the same as described above; soft but nevertheless good.

Menu : Carne Burritos
Price : Rp 50,000 ++
Score : 7.0 / 10

>>  I got pulled beef, dirty rice, frijoles, salsa fresca, guacamole and cheese inside my Carne Burritos. It came steaming piping hot and I love the amount of fillings stuffed inside. It was sliced into 2 piece thus upon looking you'll try to figure the components inside. It's a filling dish, mainly because of the rice I think. I must not only mention the generousness of the fillings but also the taste. I don't eat many burritos in my life thus not too sure how the real ones in Mexico taste like but I was hoping a little bit more heat inside. They just ran out of their hot sauce and I really think the extra spicy heat will made all the differences. I was really disappointed not being able to taste their hot sauce, but certainly looking forward on my next trip.

Menu : Jamon Y Huevos Tortas
Price : Rp 40,000 ++
Score : 7.5 / 10

>> What is Tortas? Tortas is simply a Mexican sandwich in a Bolilo Bread. Just like the French has Croissant sandwich, the Mexicans has the Tortas. And for this particular sandwich, I had smoked pork ham, fried egg, frijoles, cheese, salsa fresca and mayonnaise. By the way for this smoked ham sandwich, it is only available on the weekends. It came sliced into 2 pieces which made is easier to bite on and apart from that, easier to detect the fillings. I had a few bites into it and it felt like a breakfast menu to me. Smoke ham, eggs and bread with a little bit of nachos crunch on the side, which really tasted like a breakfast sandwich. I liked the toasted bolilo bead too, wasn't over crispy but just the right texture. A dish I second best enjoy after their super good tacos.

Menu : Sticky Date Pudding With Vanilla Ice Cream and Toffee Sauce.
Price : Rp 30,000 ++
Score : 6.25 / 10

>> I was at 7/8 stomach capacity and I pushed myself towards 9/8 capacity. I had dessert of course. A few variety to choose on and landed my eye on the sticky date pudding. It was not mind blowing good. It was pretty alright, the vanilla ice cream was supermarket bought and the toffee syrup was okay too. The sticky date pudding itself was mediocre. Wasn't too fluffy nor was it gooey enough. It tasted more like a sponge cake rather than a pudding. But still, I managed to gorge it all down myself. Exactly 5 seconds after finishing this, I realized the amount of calorie intake must be horrifying hahahaha. I shuddered but soon moved on !

Was it a good experience? Yes it was! I'll definitely become a regular here, will try the rest of the variety listed on the menu. I haven't tried their hot sauce for goodness sake and that will be on top of my list on the next trip there. Which is going to be soon.


Taco Local
Jl. Panglima Polim 5 No 38, Jakarta Selatan
Phone : +62 21 94949538

Sombrero

I was invited to a food blogger gathering by Michelindo; they had just opened up a new restaurant called the 'Sombrero'. If you guys have yet to know, Michelindo is the company behind the success of Bonchon Fried Chicken. It's a huge diversification from something that is so familiar to the Indonesian menu of 'fried chicken' to 'mexican'. Bravo on the cross over!

Even though I've never been to Mexico but I think I had my fair chance of eating Mexican food. Jakarta isn't too densely swarmed with Mexican cuisine and on top of my mind is 'Hacienda' which might be my favorite Mexican place in Jakarta !! I'ts not an apple to apple comparison between 'Hacienda & Sombrero'. Hacienda has more of an authentic taste, higher price tag and more of a fine dining feel, while Sambrero is casual and the taste of the food was very much fusion-ed to adjust to our local Indonesian palate.

To be fully honest, there wasn't too much dishes that we got to try and hence couldn't share too much dishes in the menu by regardless, here it is ... my honest opinion ... cheers and do the salsa dance !!

Menu : Spicy Sombrero Fried Rice
Price : Rp 15,000 ++
Score : 6.0 / 10

>> A tiny tiny portion of  a hot spicy rice. It's basically long grain rice with a lot of hot sauce. Thankfully I've got a crazy threshold for spicy food and hence was rather happy with the taste. But I assure you that this is something that all people can enjoy. There is a choice of other sides dishes such as; classic mexican fried rice (Rp 15,000++) available on the menu. The title 'classic' somehow assures me that it's on the mild side.

Menu : Mex - Ixxa
Price : Rp 55,000 ++
Score :5.5 / 10

>> There's a few things going on this plate; their Mexican Pizza which was an open faced tortilla with sombrero sauce, cheese and a choice of beef, chicken or vegetables, served with nachos chips, salsa & guacamole on the side. I must say that this is really fusion-ed to the local palate. The sambrero sauce was leaning heavily on the BBQ taste and the toppings on top was mediocre to alright. Wasn't a big fan of the guacamole but their salsa taste great. By the way, this menu came with the rice on top (Spicy Sombrero Fried Rice) free of charge.

Menu : Mexican Tapas Style (Sampler choice of 3)
Price : Rp 45,000 ++
Score : 5.0 / 10
>> Left : Chi Mi Changa : crispy tortilla shell stuffed with beans and a choice of chicken beef or cheese. Ummm...I didn't quite like it. Bland and there is mushy feeling when biting into the fillings inside. Middle : Fuerro Burrito : Soft tortilla shell with cheese, veges and a choice of beef or chicken. Hmmm...a similar case to the Chi Mi Changa, wasn't too pleasant. Right : Dip'n Wings : a tasty cripsy chicken and was definitely a huge relieve that they brought a piece of Bonchon to this sampler plate hahahaha.

Menu : Black Tie Churros
Price : RP 23,000 ++
Score : 6.5 / 10


>> Dessert at last !! Churros was cripsy and hot, which was crucial to any churros (relieved!). There's 2 dipping sauces; chocolate and white chocolate. The white chocolate was overwhelmingly sweet, one dip and the sugar smacks you on the face. The chocolate on was much much balanced.

Overall, I personally feel it has potential but need a big boost in the recipes. I think a comment or a valuation card is crucial during these kind of food blogger gathering and I hope they'll provide one next time. At the end of the day, the taste buds don't lie and what it all comes down to, is not about the location, decor nor the image. It's nothing but the food itself. So..no hard feelings hahahaha but I rather voice a honest opinion rather than a biased one. * I hope I didn't scare restaurant owners away and still get invited to future food gatherings after this hahahaha *

Sombrero
Grand Indonesia, West Mall 3A Floor 
(Exactly across Yoshinoya)
Phone : To be advised