Monday, June 16, 2008

Pupuseria Lorenita's: "The Taco Truck" in Elkridge

Don't be surprised to get one of the best tacos of your life -- and one of the best meals in Howard County.

The "Taco Truck" has business cards. It has phone numbers, regular hours, four employees, and clear, well-drawn menus. It also serves superb tacos -- a generous spread of grilled beef strips, two corn tortillas, cilantro & onions, radish slices and a lime wedge to squeeze.

Now, you're eating them in your car in the parking lot of Paco's Paints. If that bothers you, don't go. If you're here for good food, then drive to U.S. 1 just north of Rte 175 any day between 9 am and 4 pm. The tacos are $2, and you choose between grilled beef, ground beef, sausage and tongue. Burritos are $5. Pupusas are $2. Join the line and ask any questions. This

is a professional joint where the owner takes pride in the food and the business. People talked Mexican food in English or Spanish.

I split each serving between the two tortillas and ate them while leaning against my car. They're better than the trendy taco takeout that opened near Union Station in DC. That place made headlines -- and does have a fish taco option -- but the meat was better on U.S. 1 and the servings were twice as large.

(In late 2011, the truck has normally been on the east side of U.S. 1 north of Rte 175.  Sometimes, it is parked in the grass across from the flea market site.  That Paco's Paint was demolished as part of a big construction project.)

If you like Mexican, check out Lily's Mexican Market in Columbia, the ceviche at La Palapa Too in Laurel, and anything at El Azteca in Clarksville.

Pupuseria Lorenita's ("The Taco Truck")
at Paco's Paint
7731 Washington Blvd (U.S. 1)
Elkridge, MD 21075
301-395-0695
301-204-4076

NEAR: On the east side of U.S. 1 a few blocks north of Rte 175.

Pupuseria Lorenita's on Urbanspoon

7 comments:

CJ said...

The truck has a sign on it saying they are moving to 7731 Washington Blvd sometime in October.

HowChow said...

Thanks for the comment. That sounds like they're just moving up the street.

Anonymous said...

Following up on the awesome Lily's visit, I went searching for this truck recently and stopped at one just south of the flea market that I think was actually called Tortas Gigantes (per the HoCo health department permit in the window). Did Pupuseria Lorenita's serve tortas? The one I stopped at had tacos, large tortas, and Pupusas. The carne asada tacos were mediocre, but the bean and cheese Pupusas were heavenly! I'm wondering if this was the same truck? Either way, I'll definitely be back for the Pupusas, but I'd like to find the tacos you talk about!

Alberto said...

I agree, however I wouldn't try the "pupusas" anymore... No offense, but there are better I had better. They do sever "huge" tortas. Also, there's a new place in the Shell Gas Station (corner of Route 1 and 175) with traditional mexican food. It's simply the best I had in a long time. Highly recommended.

davidc said...

are they there on weekends as well??
since moving here from LA i am craving some taco trucks!

thanks

HowChow said...

@Davidc -- Yes, the truck is there on the weekends. It is on the east side of U.S. 1 in the parking lot of Paco's Paints. You should also try the R&R Deli in the Shell station at U.S. 1 and Rte 175. Seriously. Check out my post here. The tacos at R&R are delicious.

davidc said...

@howchow i went to the shell station...excellent tacos. i stopped at a taco truck during the flea market on the weekend. not sure if it was the same truck you are talking about here. it was parked at the actual flea market while it was going on.