Tacos Imperio

Since I live basically on the edge of the world in Draper, I don’t get many chances to check out the food trucks and carts located in downtown SLC. So I was really excited to hear that a taco truck is doing business on 7800 S in West Jordan.
The menu here is pretty basic. Tacos are $ 1, tortas are $ 5, and they also do quesadillas and soups. From what I’ve had, I’ve been really impressed. The carne asada is flavorful, the carnitas are juicy and tender, and the barbacoa is bien picante. I tried the chicharron (pork rinds) and they definitely weren’t my cup of tea. Soggy and spongy. No thanks.
Their fixins bar is basic, but still offers a nice variety. They offer several sauces. One is orangeish and tastes a bit like peanuts, and that sucker is spicy. I usually stick to the gringo side and go with the green guacamole sauce. Really tasty stuff.

It’s way too early to tell, so take this review with a big old grain of salt. But I peeped this truck – not a cart, but a truck – on my way home from a sprinkler repair project. There’s nothing to put you in the mood to reward yourself more than volunteering your time to help your little brother with a mess of a sprinkling system.
They’re located on the north side of 7800 S. in between 1300 West and Redwood Road just west of Sizzler. There’s not much there, but you can’t miss it — they run an extension cord from one of the local businesses and have a blazing OPEN sign in the front of the truck, a light on their sandwich board near the street, and the inside of the truck is lit up. A lighthouse guiding weary landscapers to meaty goodness. Naturally, I turned my ship around and found safe harbor in the parking lot.
I’m not one who judges food by the person making or serving it; I think an eskimo is equally capable of making a fire-​roasted pig as an islander, but for those of you who do keep track at home, my entire interaction with them was in Spanish. In fact, I never heard a word of English from them or their customers. For what it’s worth.
I went with a basic carnitas taco and asada taco. Both were tender, but the carnitas came away winner. I topped with an assortment of pickly things, pico de gallo things, radishy things, squeezed a lime, and squirted some of their special «Salsa Imperio» and «Salsa Hua??? something or other.» I knew I’d forget the name. The Imperio was too spicy for my wussy mouth, but the other was a little meaty, smoky, and perfect. I’ll be back for that alone (and I promise to write down the name).
They sell a few things that I don’t see everywhere. Tacos made of lengua (tongue) and cabeza (head muscle). Can’t wait to try them. They also had a mean looking torta that’s calling my name.
It’s too early to tell, but having another bona fide truck running around and seeing some menu options looks promising. I don’t know who runs the thing; there’s a sign on it that says if they don’t give you a receipt, call this number etc etc, which makes me believe it’s not an owner/​operator situation. Still, it’s mean food and the gal running the show was supah cool and got food out fast.
She told me they’re located here Wednesday through Saturday for dinner only. 5 – 10 on Wednesday and Thursday, 5 – 11 on weekends. It’s a little out of the way, but tongue tacos may be worth the drive. I’ll be back with an emptier belly to investigate.