By Jessica Rojas
I go to different taquerias, for different reasons. So I gotta talk about – taco-bout – some of my faves.
La Sirenita
The everyday staple taco for taquerias in northeast is La Sirenita on Alberta Street and 28th Avenue, and it’s OG Veterano, home of the affordable comida since Day 1. I can still remember the humble beginnings of that location which, back then, was a small store with a jukebox that played oldies and had a food cart outside.
The elder who first owned the building took me and my sisters in as family, and I worked there in the tiendita, the store side. The family that made the food and ran the kitchen was separate from the store. Over the years, I watched three generations work the front counter of their kitchen.
My old time favorite is black bean tostada and salsa verde. What I value so much about them is that, when I did not have the money to eat, sometimes they just fed me, saying, “You need to eat.”
That is a part of our culture, to take care of our community through food and hospitality. And to this day, most people of northeast know of La Sirenita as an affordable, consistent provider of quality Mexican food.
Santo Domingo
When it’s Sunday, and I am most likely visiting my dad, he is going to want a carne asada burrito. By this point in the week, I’ve had my staple and work tacos, but there is something more I crave.
That is when I go to Santo Domingo at 42nd Avenue and Killingsworth Street. My main motivation is chicken mole tacos and steak fajitas. I like to say, “Don’t cheat yourself – treat yourself.” Sunday is a good day for sour cream anyways.
The parking isn’t the greatest, but it is close to the bus line on an up-andcoming new main street, 42nd Avenue.
The menu will not disappoint you.
Taco Machine
Looking for a taco truck? Taco Machine at Killingsworth Street and 16th Avenue is my local taco truck. They have the carne asada fries and potato or mushroom tacos for the moments I don’t feel like eating meat. All for a very good price.
Let’s support this small business. I would like to see them expand their hours as this part of Killingsworth grows.
She has the classics at a good price. This is where I go when I am ready to eat/”hangry.” Sometimes I will write a – always nice – message on her whiteboard, which is decorated in notes of gratitude from the many loyal visitors.