Tacolandia and Confessions of a Food Festival Masochist
by guest blogger Cue the Critic
My relationship with food festivals is an interesting one; mainly because I hate to love them. In the moment, the experience is tiring, a bit stressful, and take the deepest toll on your body and stomach, all while offering you a feeling of fulfillment, excitement, and heavenly delight; that is if you do it correctly. I attend food festivals with one goal in mind: eat as much as humanly possible within the time allotted. Tacolandia was not exempt from this food festival showdown: Cue v. Food.
Upon entry I immediately started eating. There was a corn-off-the-cob cup with tortilla chips that reminded me of the elote you would get from a street vendor in the neighborhood.
Elote cup with tortilla chips |
Gracious taco vendors eagerly await the interested public. One in particular took my palate on a magical journey, Border Grill. On the cusp of me trying a vegan burger, about a week prior, Border Grill served me a vegetarian taco that sent my tastebuds into a mystical wonderland.
As omnivrious as I am, it is a truly moving experience when there is an all vegetable dish that I like, respect, and would try again.
As I carried on moving from stand to stand I tried many vendors, like: Corazón De Tierra, Las Montendaras, Bull Taco, Don Chente, All Flavor No Grease, and several more; but few stood out more than the Tacos de Pork Belly from Amor y Taco Mexican Kitchen and Cantina.
Tacos de Pork Belly from Amor y Taco |
There is an abundance of Mexican food prepared by Mexican people in South Central Los Angeles; but it would be an African-American prepared quesadilla which astonished me. Chicken Quesadilla from All Flavor No Grease.
All Flavor No Grease is located on 108th Street and Central Ave, and I was introduced to them at Tacolandia, oddly enough, having lived in that area for many years. The quesadilla is packed with hearty bites of chicken breast, layered with melted, oozing cheese, and filled with guacamole and chunky tomato bites. It was amazing. After trying it I went back to their booth and fist bumped the chef. It was that fascinating, and well-executed.
It was a scorching pre-summer's day in Los Angeles, though relief would come from a refreshing shaved-iced drink topped with an available selection fruits, and juice. Mango-strawberry was my choice, and it was exceptional.
Not overly sweet but soothing, plentiful, and gracious; kind enough to make the day beautiful.
My legs are aching, my belly is filled, and I am ready to sit, sip my drink, and bask in the happy faces around me.
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