Mexican food vendors on Preston...

A Mexican guy is operating an open air taqueria in the parking lot of a liquor store on Preston Hwy, across the street from the Indian Trails shopping center. He broils a big hunk of pork on a vertical grill similar to the one that you might see in a Greek restaurant. Sells tacos and burritos made with this puerco as well as carne asada. Toppings include cilantro, onions, whole grilled jalapenos, diced pineapple and more. Two bucks gets you a taco with a fairly generous ration of meat. Tasty stuff.

I have never been to Mexico, but I have seen photographs of similar stalls in the public markets there.

[Robin Garr]

Good catch, Gary! Thanks for posting ... I see a trip to Indian Trail coming up!

Sounds interesting...Just a little curious from a food safety perspective...Are these "open air" food vendors inspected and certified by the city?...Better safe than sorry...

[Robin Garr]

Sounds interesting...Just a little curious from a food safety perspective...Are these "open air" food vendors inspected and certified by the city?...Better safe than sorry...

In theory, they should be. The health inspectors even inspect concession carts at the State Fair and riverfront events.

I won't let the absence of a big blue A worry me too much if I go out there, although I might watch the guy for a bit and try to get a sense for whether he knows what he's doing.

The rules for temporary food vendors are different from permanent restaurants, and as Robin states, they are also inspected by the health inspectors. But while I'm not anywhere near as picky for my personal consumption as we were for the store (I've gladly eaten from a street stand in Mexico, Jamaica and Greece), I'd be a little concerned about any Louisville vendor not having a posted sign at all (A or B in my book). My memory (which could be wrong) is that they should have been inspected before opening, so if there is no sign posted, they are either illegal or have received a lower rating and are not posting it. The later would be my personal concern...

Deb

Didn't see any signs posted by the health department. For what it's worth, it is now about thirty hours since the meal and I feel fine! Can't wait to go back next weekend, which may be the only days they are serving.

Well, my husband and I got a few tacos to go, and they were terrific! Six hours later, and we feel fine!

If anyone cares to know, that particular way of vertical rotisserie in Mexico is called "Al pastor" which was developed by Lebanese immigrants in Mexico City. That guy sounds like a classic Mexico City tacos al pastor stand. Besides it being a vertical rotisserie, the pineapple being used is a defining quality as well.

I've eaten food from vendors at Dead shows, Phish shows Guatemala, Thailand, Laos, Mexico, Morocco, Spain & Italy...
With more than a hundred meals eater at these type of establishments I've only been sickened once.
That was from eating some Rasta Pasta at a Phish show in Atlanta, GA in the summer of 2000.

I've had food poisoning more frequently from standard restaurants.

I've generally noticed that roadside food is awesome and authentic.
Looking forward to trying these tacos!

Went there today at 2pm and couldn't find the vendor, although I suspect he's there only during the normal lunch hour (??). I have weird lunch hours myself.

But I'm wondering, could he be from Taqueria la Mexicana just a hop-skip-and-jump down the road? Near where AutoZone sits?

( Went there today at 2pm and couldn't find the vendor, although I suspect he's there only during the normal lunch hour (??). I have weird lunch hours myself.

But I'm wondering, could he be from Taqueria la Mexicana just a hop-skip-and-jump down the road? Near where AutoZone sits?)

I think this guy is an independent vendor. And I have eaten at the restaurant you referenced in your post. I has changed ownership since Mr Garr's original review (I think). That place near Autozone serves the best pozole I have tasted in Louisville.

I've eaten food from vendors at Dead shows, Phish shows Guatemala, Thailand, Laos, Mexico, Morocco, Spain & Italy...
With more than a hundred meals eater at these type of establishments I've only been sickened once.
That was from eating some Rasta Pasta at a Phish show in Atlanta, GA in the summer of 2000.

I've had food poisoning more frequently from standard restaurants.

I've generally noticed that roadside food is awesome and authentic.
Looking forward to trying these tacos!

You gotta love girls on skateboard peddling "Veggie Burritos.
There were two shows at a Grateful Dead gathering.The vendors outside and the music inside " Have a good show!"

I miss Jerry

[Robin Garr]

Bad news ... We're out here on the scene, but there's no taco vendor today.

Guess we'll go to Luna's ....

We went there today at 12 and he said he wouldn't be open until 1. He said he'll be there tomorrow. He did move down one building, but he's still in front of Gold's Gym.

I've eaten food from vendors at Dead shows, Phish shows Guatemala, Thailand, Laos, Mexico, Morocco, Spain & Italy...
With more than a hundred meals eater at these type of establishments I've only been sickened once.
That was from eating some Rasta Pasta at a Phish show in Atlanta, GA in the summer of 2000.

I've had food poisoning more frequently from standard restaurants.

I've generally noticed that roadside food is awesome and authentic.
Looking forward to trying these tacos!

Rasta Pasta makes me think of the "Space Cakes" of Amsterdam.........did you get sick or just really stoned??