Tacos on a Tuesday!

Tacos tacos tacos! It’s hard to not be a fan of these delicious hand held objects. Of course, tacos aren’t the only food that is offered when deciding to eat Mexican food, but it sure is the food that first comes to mind for most of us. Especially when there are so many local, affordable, and authentic places to sink your teeth into!

I am sure a lot of us are curious about the birth of Mexican food, and the taco. So, allow me to offer up a little history before I spill the secret locations on my favorite spots around the Kennesaw area to indulge in the taco life.

Tacos were originally coined as the tacos de minero—miner’s tacos. This is because of the miners working in the silver mines in Mexico dating back to the 18th century. 1905 is thought to be the date that the taco and Mexican food first made its way to the streets of the U.S., giving us the classic "street tacos". The word taco originally is meant to mean wedge, bow tie, short stalky person, etc. And these wedges, or tacos are basically an edible plate for a mix of foods like meats, cheese, vegies, and salsas. Really, whatever ones heart desires!

But wait, it gets better! Theres not just "a taco" There are many different types of tacos that are available to warm our hearts.

There is the Taco de asador, which is basically two small tortillas saucers stacked with your choice of ingredients in the middle. A taco sandwich? Who wouldn't! Next, there is the tacos de cazo. This taco goes the extra step and is a fried taco with the ingredients placed in the middle. Everything is better fried. There are also these little delicious things called Sopes, which are small tortillas. Just thicker and act as a boarder for the food on top. And we can’t forget the Empanadas! These are a shell of fried deliciousness. They are basically a taco-hot-pocket. Then we have our classics, the hard and soft shell tacos, where the names speak for themselves. These tacos are served on either a hard or soft shell taco. And if you ask me, soft homemade corn tortillas are the way to go!

This leads me to my recent discovery of Tocas Del Chavo, Located in Kennesaw, GA off of Cobb Parkway. For the past two years I have been driving past this place on my way to class on Kennesaw State University's campus. I had always noticed it, but never made the visit. This is probably due to the fact that I am frequently late for class and being a college student who is “ballin on a budget” and living off of peanut butter and jelly sandwiches. However, I have recently discovered this newfound love for street tacos… cheap authentic homemade street tacos. So I decided it was time to splurge and give this place a try!

Tacos Del Chavo

The special thing about this small stand on the side of Cobb Parkway is that it is not a chain. And that is hard to find in an are like Kennesaw, where food-chain establishments are popping up all over college areas in order to cater to the college life. Well, this place is not a chain and is definitely a step up any day from your local tex-mex knock off chain.

When you walk up to this small cozy establishment, you are immediately hit with this feel, and delicious smell, of the street tacos culture. Cars are filling the parking lot, but not too intimidating to where one would want to turn around and not indulge in their food. This filled parking lot should only prove that this is the locals spot for street tacos! You walk up the stairs and into the small square Mexican joint and immediately the smell hits you. You are also greeted by the worker at the window of the joint, immediately feeling like you belong. However, This is not your typical Mexican food spot, that is for sure. There is no hosts and it is basically a big trailer that has a covered outdoor seating area. Doesn't sound all too fancy on the atmosphere, but it gives this feel that you're about to eat the most authentic, best tasting Mexican food around. If you have ever been to a busters, this is the Mexican stand of Bruster’s ice cream. While at the window, you are presented with a vast authentic Mexican style menu. And of course, I tried more than one item. At the prices they offer you’d be crazy not to!

Let me lay out my favorite menu choices Tacos Del Chavo has to offer, in order from cheapest to hardly expensive, yet still cheap.

1. Tacos Mexican - $1.99

2. Tacos Americanos - $2.50

3. Sopes - $3.50

4. Enpanadas - $3.50

5. Campechana (Small, medium, Large) - $3.00/$5.00/$9.00

6. Burritos (Small, Large) - $4.99/$6.99

7. Quesadilla - $5.00

8. Flautas - $8.50

9. Enchiladas - $10.50

10. Bisteca A la Plancha - $10.50

I had gotten the Burrito, two Taco Americanos. Cheap, delicious, and just enough food to fill you up. Even just being a walk up mexican food joint, this staff was extremely attentive. Something you might not even get at a sit-down mexican restaurant.

A+ to Tacos Del Chavo!

The only catch with this mexican stand is their hours of operation and their accepted forms of payment. They are only open 11 a.m to 3 p.m everyday and you have to pay with cash. No cash= no Tacos Del Chavo. They also do not deliver, but it wouldn't be the full street taco experience if you didn't visit the street taco stand!

P.s. If you’re on a super taco rush and need even more street tacos after experiencing this joint, there is a close competitor a few miles away. This other authentic Mexican food/taco joint offers two locations. A sit down, in door fast food type joint, and a taco truck located right outside of a Valero gas station. Look for the El Don Taco Truck in Woodstock and you won’t be disappointed.

Don’t judge a book by its cover and go check out both of these tasty spots!

- Rachael