Dos Gordos Tacos Food Truck :
It ’ s Taco Tuesday everyday in Siloam Springs
Food trucks have become more and more popular in Northwest Arkansas with Siloam Springs offering a variety of tasty options . And everyone knows that if you are looking for truly authentic Mexican cuisine , Dos Gordos Tacos food truck is the place to go .
Dos Gordos Tacos is a Mexican style food trailer . “ I have always wanted to open a taco truck ,” said Adrian Lem , Owner and Chef at Dos Gordos Tacos . “ I became inspired after seeing videos of a quesabirria truck from Oxnard , California . I decided to brainstorm with my mother and try out recipes until we perfected the quesabirria and consommé recipe that is used on the truck still today .”
“ I tried to keep the menu fairly simple ,” he continued . “ We offer Birria , Asada , Al Pastor , and Chicken . With those meats , we can make you a street taco , a burrito , a quesadilla , or loaded fries . Our most popular item is our quesabirria taco . We also have a few burritos to choose from . Just a standard burrito , a Cali burrito which is made more ‘ California style ’ with fries inside , and a Panther burrito which is covered in queso .”
Dos Gordos Tacos was the first truck of its kind in Siloam Springs . There really wasn ’ t anywhere else to get quesabirria . “ Now , it ’ s exciting to see how many restaurants and food trucks have opened and are now offering quesabirria in town ,” Adrian said . “ I didn ’ t invent quesabirria by any means , but I would like to think our success might have inspired others to branch out and start a business or add new items to their menu .”
Adrian grew up in Siloam Springs after moving here when he was just 3 months old . “ I had to move away for culinary school
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because there wasn ’ t a program in Northwest Arkansas at the time ,” he said . “ But I always knew I would come back here especially after meeting my wife here and starting my own family . I love how much Downtown Siloam Springs has been revitalized in the last decade . Also , Siloam Springs shows up for small businesses . I knew we would have that unmatched small-town support that I have always admired about Siloam .”
Adrian ’ s first kitchen job was actually at Hawg City Grill at the original location in Siloam Springs , right off of Highway 412 . He moved to Texas in 2011 and attended the TSTC Culinary Program in Abilene , Texas . After graduating culinary school , Adrian and his wife decided to adventure out a little bit and moved to Denver , Colorado .
“ While we were there , I worked as the Creation Manager at Cafe Terracotta in Littleton , Colorado ,” Adrian said . “ I really enjoy creating items that will encourage people to try new things . I love combining flavors and creating new dishes . That role really allowed me to use that creativity and build my confidence . After our first daughter was born in 2017 , we knew we wanted to come back home to be closer to family . We moved back to Northwest
Arkansas in February of 2018 .”
Tacos had been a staple of Adrian ’ s childhood , and he considered them so versatile . “ In 2019 , I was starting to get a personal chef business up and running , but COVID lockdowns put a wrench in that plan ,” he said . “ In 2020 , I saw restaurants struggling to survive and people no longer wanted a chef in and out of their home knowing I was going to other homes as well . I knew it was the perfect time to start a food truck . The food truck business was surging and I was ready to take the leap . My great friend Ricky and I initially went into business together and he was instrumental in helping us to get started .”
Dos Gordos Tacos opened in November 2020 , and Adrian has never looked back . “ I love the flexibility of being a business owner ,” he said . “ As a chef-owner , I get to create the menu and have full creative control . Many chefs lose their creativity and inspiration when working in restaurants where they do not have the ability to create new items and adjust the menu as needed .”
“ I also love the customer-base we have ,” Adrian said . “ We have customers that have been coming out to see us every single week since we opened in November of 2020 . I got to watch them try something new and then choose to support me and my family , not knowing me at all before this . The support has been incredible . I have so much love for Siloam Springs and all of the Dos Gordos Tacos supporters , the love we have received is unmatched . I like to call them the Taco Fam .”
Adrian wants people to know that he ’ s just a regular guy doing something he loves and that something happens to be food . “ I want Siloam and all of our Taco Fam to know that no matter what we do or cook , we ’ ll always give it our all so when a customer comes and eats our food , they can feel the love and pride that went into it ,” he said . “ It ’ s been such a treat and blessing being able to cook for my hometown . From friends , teachers , coaches , old classmates . It ’ s been really cool .” Dos Gordos Tacos Food Truck 825 South Mt . Olive Siloam Springs , Hours : Monday Friday , 4:00 p . m . to 9:00 p . m .