da’ Foco

Great food! had the Tinga tostadas and both tacos, loved them, they were amazing. Would like to see a better location with parking and getting in and out of the parking lot, but otherwise, I have been there three times and have been impressed every time.

We had driven by this truck several times and figured we’d better stop in, since it’s so close to home and we might have a new neighborhood gem we were overlooking.
When I saw the menu, I was stoked.
Tacos! Burritos! Tortas! Yay! Maybe we finally have real Mexican food in our ‘hood.
Lisa and I each ordered a carne asada «burrito.» The quotation marks are because what we were served would never, could never, be mistaken by anyone for an actual burrito. It was more like a slightly embiggened street taco. It was served open-​faced and was about 50% larger than an average taco. The meat was good, but there just wasn’t much of it. The «burrito» was drenched in, and dripping with, some sort of yellow oil; E.V.O.O. There were tortilla chips on it, along with a dollop of guac. The price tag? $ 7.85/ea. I swallowed my «meal» in 4 bites. I liked it okay, but it was tiny and seemed to be trying too hard to be unique and special. It was neither. Lisa didn’t like the flavors, at all, so I ate her’s too.
After finishing both of the burritos, I was still hungry. I microwaved a frozen beef and bean burrito when we got home, a few minutes later. For $ 16, this was a total ripoff and the food was a major letdown. Next time, we’ll head down to the Sears parking lot and share a real burrito for ¹⁄₃ the price and we’ll both be full.
Based on the food and prices, this is a 1-​star food truck. I’ll give them 1 extra star for the fantastic cucumber limeade.
There’s a Taqueria nearby that I hate, despite the rave reviews. Maybe the same thing will happen here. Maybe it’s not them, it’s me. Time will tell.

It was the inviting glow of the pink «Foco» neon-​sign along just one side of an otherwise non-​descript aluminum-​silver painted truck that drew me in.
What did the name «Foco» mean? Urban slang for «Food Company»? Or did the truck harken from «Fort Collins?» Perhaps homage to the theory of revolution by guerrilla warfare formulated by French intellectual Régis Debray, as inspired by Marxist revolutionary Ernesto «Che» Guevara’s experiences surrounding his rebel army’s victory in the 1959 Cuban Revolution? A revolution in flavor?
While approaching the truck’s only opening, located above the chalkboard menu board at the rear, I searched Unilocal for businesses named «Foco». There it was– listed as «da’ Foco». No reviews?! Was the absence of «da’» on the neon signage another clue?
Then discovered the «da’ Foco» instagram account, under «dafocotruck». Very active and helpful to understand the menu bc of all the wonderful food pics. Strange to see same-​named dishes as appearing slightly different from each other. Daily variations on the basic menu items: tacos, tostadas, burros, tortas, soles, donuts, and drinks. Perhaps «Foco» means jazz riffs but with food.
Unilocal magically knew the current location of the da’ Foco truck– in the parking lot adjacent to «Good Times» tattoo parlor (at 1249 S 900 E). Electricity was umbilically supplied to the truck via an industrial green cord that tightly spiraled between truck and an outlet on the side of the brick building. This current temporary location opened a door to some pretty intriguing possibilities. Would Good Times accommodate a last minute request for a «taccoo”– i.e., the act of eating a taco while simultaneously acquiring a tattoo of said taco on the left deltoid? Tis a consumption devoutly to be wished.
However, I was too famished to consider a taccoo any further. Plus a cold gloomy autumn drizzle had descended evoking visions of two former lovers meeting in a Vichy-​controlled Moroccan city, with unforeseen complications. Hashtag order while you can.
: Chicharron Sope :
So fresh! The thick tortilla base was able to easily hold and support the toppings. It was composed of a soft, slightly pliable texture that was bursting with fresh corn-​on-​the-​cob flavor. Absolutely delicious! The pork rinds on top were decadent and saucy. Perfectly seasoned. Large crisp white onion chunks balanced out the fatty meat. The onions had been pickled in a heavy vinegar. Extreme tang! To sum up the onion flavor: that misplaced drum solo in the middle of a skateboard punk song. So good but so unnecessary. No side sauces or other condiments. Da’ blackbean paste layer balanced it– only wish there had been more.
: Tinga Burro :
Discovering a piece of chicken bone in the tinge burro proved the authenticity of the chicken. Wish there was more chicken– skimpy. Amped up my burro by adding a dollop of «Fage: Total 0%» yogurt on top and a sprinkling of Marie Sharpe’s green habanero sauce.
I made the mistaken presumption that since the burro cost almost twice the sope that it would be twice the food. Adding to my confusion was the fact that I know more Harry Potter spells than spanish words and I scarfed more Taco Bell during my adolescence than I care to remember. So I thought burro would be basically a large burrito– since burrito means «little donkey» in Spanish, as a diminutive form of burro, or «donkey».
Nouvelle cuisine is characterized by lighter, more delicate dishes and an increased emphasis on presentation over substance. da’ Nocu.
The vegetarians of our group vocalized similar complaints about serving size. Especially considering the prices. A couple thinly sliced radishes are but a faint nod in their general direction. There were challenges in ordering relating to understanding and navigating the gluten-​free and vegetarian options. So know this going in to avoid disappointment
: Mexcoke :
Coca-​cola served in a glass bottle, ice-​cold, with cane sugar as its sweetener instead of corn syrup. Delicious & refreshing. Was perfect for washing it all down.
Don’t get me wrong – every bite was triumphant and divine. It just seemed like they were plating for judges in a cooking competition rather than everyday foodies. Plus, as mentioned, I cheated ever-​so-​slightly by adding condiments/​sides to amp up my meal. Just hoped for more of a good thing at such price points. Would chalk it up to being a lax one-​off except that it was large group and every order came up seemingly short. Especially those of those vociferous vegetarians.
Food so amazing that I can’t wait to try everything else on the menu: soup of the day, various homemade drinks, and a kabocha doughnut or three! I hope to learn what their name stands for without bottlenecking a small line behind while our server embraces a mild bemusement caused by her phone’s awkward order-​taking interface.
For a good time, just order double and ignore pocketbooks.
Foco Foco!