Quick note : the Taco Trail has no rules : just stop along the trail and enjoy a taco . However , we intended to take on the trail using the Gilroy Taco Crawl method : eat one taco and drink one beer at every stop . It seemed like a good idea ...
pollo . The tacos were part street taco and part super taco , stuffed with tender , delicious meat . We ordered avocado and pico de gallo on top . Fabuloso !
Our next stop was Los Cuates Restaurant and Seafood and Bar , located near the Outlets on Camino Arroyo . It is highly visible from the freeway , but can be easily overlooked if you ’ re driving on the frontage road . We rolled in looking for great tacos , and were not disappointed . Karyn and Deb shared an order of Quesabirria tacos — three crisp tacos that have been dipped in broth , thrown on a grill and stuffed with melted cheese , birria meat , and topped with cilantro and onions , served with broth on the side for dipping . Birria meat is traditionally lamb , goat , or beef shank . Our server , Stephanie brought fresh , hot , corn
The Bubbling Mango Margarita and a stop at Visit Gilroy
Los Pericos – Surprise # 1
Although we were experienced taco eaters — having consumed thousands of tacos during our collective lives , this was our first attempt at conquering the Gilroy Taco Trail , making us rookies . Worse , we knew of the legendary Gilroy Taco Crawlers — the official name given to the participants of the annual Gilroy Taco Crawl . These hard core do-gooders eat tacos and drink beers not just for fun , but for a cause . We knew we could not hold a candle to them even on our best day . Enter Justin and Andrea Gamble .
Quesabirra tacos at Los Cuates are a must-try !
tortillas to our table with three amazing salsas for us to sample . We also ordered a super taco with carne asada ( home-made corn tortilla with meat , topped off with whole beans , mozzarella cheese , onion , cilantro , and guacamole ), a carne asada street taco ( meat , cilantro , and onion in a corn tortilla ), and a couple Tecate beers for the boys . The food was great !
The next taco stop on the trail was El Michoacano in the South Valley Shopping Center on 10th Street . Aready , the sacred traditions of “ taco crawldom ” were falling by the wayside . As we took our seats a smoking treasure chest was being delivered to a nearby table . We were mesmerized . Our server informed us that it was a “ bubbling mango margarita .” Mike and Deb broke down and ordered one to share . Staying strong for now , I ordered a Pacifico . Deb had a chile verde taco , Mike had a pescado ( white fish ) taco , Karyn ordered a camarones ( shrimp ) taco , and I had an al pastor taco . The food was great , and the presentation was incredible . This place was so good and so fun , we all wished we could come back soon … more on that later .
We walked across the parking lot to visit the in-store taqueria at Arteagas Food Center . A full-service grocery store , Arteagas has great fresh fruits and veggies , a full service meat counter , and a huge cheese counter . Their taqueria has plenty of seating and a full menu . At $ 2.60 per taco , you can feed a family on the cheap . Deb ordered a pork adobo al pastor ( marinated pork ) taco , Mike and Karyn ordered carne asada tacos , and I had
Justin Gamble launched the Gilroy Taco Crawl in 2012 as a way to get together with friends and fellow taco enthusiasts and give back to the community . Each year , the event raises money that is donated to a local nonprofit . In 2022 , his 9th Annual event drew over 50 participants and raised over $ 1,300 , which was donated to our nonprofit , One Giving Tree . Their efforts and generosity helped us make the holidays brighter for local kids and their families . Who knew tacos and beer had anything to do with Christmas ? Justin and Andrea knew .
We pre-arranged for Justin and Andrea to meet up with us at Los Pericos after we warmed up at a few “ taco stops .” We felt their mentorship at this critical time would help us prepare for the road ahead . Continued ...
Dining with our mentors Justin and Andrea at Los Pericos
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