TASTE
Tasting To-Go
Mobile eateries find natural home in Amador County ’ s wine country
STORY BY Dakota Morlan PHOTOS BY Debbie Cunningham
Taste a Go-Go , a food truck operated by B & E Hospitality Group in Amador County , offered a mobile version of the award-winning restaurant Taste Restaurant and Wine Bar . PHOTO COURTESY OF TASTE A GO-GO
Esperanza Ortis had always dreamed of owning her own restaurant . In a Japanese kitchen in Chicago , she mastered the art of food prep ; at a taqueria run by Salvadorans , she learned to retain customers with above-and-beyond service ; from her mother-in-law , she collected traditional Mexican recipes and garnished them with her own flair . Now , she operates out of an eatery on wheels — she says it ’ s better than brick-and-mortar for those seeking freedom and less stress .
The name La Esperanza graces the flank of her truck , decorated with colorful piñatas on sale for any occasion . It ’ s usually parked in the Sutter Hill Plaza shopping center near the intersection of Highway 49 and Ridge Road , the gateway to Amador County ’ s wine country . According to Ortis , hers was the first taco truck to set up shop in the area , roughly 12 years ago . Since then , food trucks of all types have become a dependable staple in a region where restaurants are relatively few and far between .
For Ortis , the truck is a full-time lifestyle and a family affair . Her children grew up helping in every facet of the business , and her son , Francisco Ballagomez , now owns a taco truck of the same name in neighboring Calaveras County , in San Andreas . Ortis ’ husband and co-owner , Tomas Valentin , makes his signature salsa and takes orders at the window . Ortis remarks proudly of her husband , “ He is always smiling at the customers . He knows every customer , and he knows what kind of food they like .”
Valentin has memorized many of their customers ’ favorites and works
32 comstocksmag . com | January 2022