NEW WEBSITE!!!

CLICK HERE FOR THE ALL NEW
TACO INSPECTOR WEBSITE!

The Taco Inspector has moved to San Diego!

Where has the Taco Inspector been???My sincerest apologies to my Taco-Fanatics, who have been checking this blog for their Taco Reviews and not seen updates for YEARS!  Life has been hectic

Here is the NEW home for the Taco Inspector:  PLEASE GO HERE!

See you soon!

BEST TACOS EVER...

Sorry the Inspector has been absent for a year! Between work and school, I have been M.I.A.

But I'm back, with a brand new season of The Taco Inspector on Cox Channel 7 (Phoenix and Tucson).

I will also post the videos here, starting next week!

For now, enjoy this Taco Inspector flashback. And the BEST tacos...EVER!!!

Tacos Chava - Puerto Vallarta, Mexico

Misael Hernandez in Puerto Vallarta recommends:

Tacos Chava
corner of San Miguel y Universo
Puerto Vallarto, Jalisco CP48300
Mexico





Travel with The Taco Inspector to beautiful Puerto Vallarta, Mexico, where the tacos are as hot as the señoritas. But the tacos aren't the only thing cooking in the barrio, as R Dub! discovers a rogue "cookie-van" nearby.

Sir Veza's Taco Garage - Tucson, AZ

Raul Noriega in Tucson, AZ recommends:

Sir Veza's Taco Garage
4699 E Speedway Bl
Tucson, AZ 85712
(520) 323-8226





Step inside this souped-up, low-ridin', candy-flaked, tricked out, taco restaurant...a must for any car and taco enthusiast. Sure, the atmosphere kicked ass, but how were the tacos??? Watch to find out! This episode of The Taco Inspector originally ran on Cox TV-7 in Phoenix and Tucson, AZ.

El Camino Fresh Mexican Grill - London, England

Mikaela Webb Pinnock in London, England recommends:

El Camino Fresh Mexican Grill
272 Portobello Road
North Kensington, London W10 5TY
United Kingdom
020 8960 8556





Holy crap I'm in the motherland! London, England to be exact. And this isn't quite the country you'd expect to have great tacos, if any at all. But when The Inspector comes to town, you're almost guaranteed to find a taco. Special shout-out to my English family who helped me on this very special taco hunt, the Webb-Pinnocks (Tylah, my camera man and guides Mikaela and Jayden).

Taco Inspector Lost At Sea!

Let me apologize for taking such long breaks in between Taco Reviews...especially if I have filmed at your establishment and you are waiting for the video. I have been busy traveling the world, looking for the perfect taco...with little time at home to edit my footage from reviews. They will be posted soon, I promise.

In the meantime, enjoy the pic of yours truly above, taken just moments ago, aboard the Norwegian Sun Cruise Ship, as we sail from Ponta Delgada, Azores (Portugal) to Lisbon. Tonight was "Taco Night." And yes, luckily someone packed his badge.

Taqueria Pico De Gallo - Tucson, AZ

Melissa Lujan in Tucson, AZ recommends:

Taqueria Pico De Gallo
2618 South 6th Avenue
Tucson, AZ 85713
(520) 623-8775





Located in the heart of Tucson and the former street for "cruising" lowriders back in the day, Pico De Gallo on South 6th Avenue is a colorful and charming restaurant with a staff that's just as pleasant. But will their tacos stand the test? Find out with The Taco Inspector today!

This episode originally aired on Cox TV-7 in Phoenix and Tucson, AZ.

My First Fan Letter

The Taco Inspector's Very First Fan Letter
I don't if I wanted to laugh or cry...either way, I was overcome with emotion when I received eight year-old Taysha's Taco Tuesday fan letter, personally delivered to me by her mother Maria. Read for yourself. It's good to know the younger generation appreciates Taco Tuesdays. Not all hope is lost.

Bugaloo - Recife, Brasil

Hiljan Dutra in Recife, Brasil recommends:

Bugaloo
Avenida Rui Barbosa 1047
Graças, Recife - Pernambuco
Brasil
011-55-81-3081-6555





Welcome to R Dub's town of Recife, the captial of the state of Pernambuco, in northeast Brasil--where tacos are hard to find! Join R Dub after a Friday night Brasilian radio broadcast as he tried Recife tacos at Bugaloo for the very first time. An adventure you're sure to enjoy!

Roma Tijuana - Montevideo, Uruguay

Yvette Santiago in Montevideo, Uruguay recommends:

Roma Tijuana
Colonel Mora 533 - Punta Carretas
Montevideo, Uruguay
011-02 710-9620





Even farther south this week, R Dub is now officially the farthest south he's ever been and is not sure how the tacos will taste in Uruguay...but nonetheless The Inspector presses on. Come with us to Roma Tijuana in Montevideo, Uruguay, for today's special International Edition of Taco Tuesdays!

Portoxicano - Porto Alegre, Brasil

Marcos Pereida in Porto Alegre, Brasil recommends:

Portoxicano
Av. Goethe 27
Porto Alegre, Rio Grande Do Sul
Brasil
011-55 (51) 3407-4562





Today it's the farthest south I have ever traveled...all for the love of tacos! Welcome to Porto Alegre, in Rio Grande Do Sul, the most southern state of Brasil. Do they know how to make tacos way down here? Watch and find out!

El Gallo Blanco - Phoenix, AZ

Rick Thomas in Phoenix, AZ recommends:

El Gallo Blanco
401 W Clarendon Ave
Phoenix, AZ 85013
(602) 274-4774





Talk about a fancy place! The Inspector's used to trucks, tents, stands, and shacks! What I surprise when I stepped in this swanky establishment to try their tacos. Did they pass the test??? Find out, on today's Taco Tuesday!

America's Taco Shop - Phoenix, AZ

Maria Silva in Phoenix, AZ recommends:

America's Taco Shop
2041 N 7th St
Phoenix, AZ 85006
(602) 682-5627





The sign read "Best Carne Asada in Phoenix." Really? What a bold statement. There was no way I could pass by America's Taco Shop that hot summer day without stopping in to take them up on their tacos. "Best" carne asada? This was exciting. I was either going to be really let down, or extremely satisfied. You have to watch the video.

Tacos Por Favor - Santa Monica, CA

Kevin James in Santa Monica, CA recommends:

Tacos Por Favor
1406 Olympic Blvd
Santa Monica, CA 90404
(310) 392-5768





Here I was, back in The City of Angels. Santa Monica to be exact. Hangin' with the homey Kevin "Slow Jammin'" James who told me that he was sure I'd love this joint called Tacos Por Favor. I loved the name...hopefully I'd love the tacos too! We stopped in before Kevin's softball game. Our inspection brought the manager to tears...seriously. Watch and enjoy. Por favor.

Aqui Con El Nene - Tucson, AZ

Mike Miranda in Tucson, AZ recommends:

Aqui Con El Nene
Corner of Flowing Wells & Wetmore
Tucson, AZ 85707
(520) 292-4791





Finally an authentic taco stand invaded the North side. Meet Nene...and his stand, Aqui Con El Nene (Here with The Nene)! This stand, almost as elaborate as a full-fledged restaurant, gets contstructed and dismantled, once a day, six days a week, on the corner of Flowing Wells and Wetmore. What's great is that I, being a resident of the North side, so longer have to drive 15 miles to the South side for great tacos. Now, they are in my backyard. Nene's makin' it to easy for me to get fat!

This episode originally aired Wednesday, September 30th 2009 on Cox TV-7 in Phoenix and Tucson, Arizona.

God It's Good Mexican Food - Tucson, AZ

Steve Solares in Tucson, AZ recommends:

God It's Good Mexican Food
Corner of Oracle and Orange Grove
Tucson, AZ 85704
(520) 343-6607





Have you ever ate a great taco and exclaimed, "God, it's good Mexican food!"? Well this place named themselves after that phrase--that's right, "God It's Good Mexican Food" is the actual name of this truck on the Northside of Tucson, AZ. And before you criticize these folks for using the Lord's name in vain, you should watch this video. Or give their tacos a try for yourself. They're so good you will be thanking Jesus!

This episode originally aired Wednesday, September 23rd 2009 on Cox TV-7 in Phoenix and Tucson, Arizona.

DC On The Fly - Washington, DC

DC On The Fly
1000 Jefferson Dr SW
Washington DC 20560
(202) 544-9046




There's good news and bad news for this week's Taco Tuesday...

The bad news first: while partaking in my East Coast Taco-Tour, The Taco Inspector lost his video camera. It's true. What a dummy. The worst thing is, my phone number was taped to the camera, so you'd think whoever found my camera would have the decency to call and return it. May that person have bad tacos for the rest of their life...I just put the "Terrible Taco Spell" on yo' ass!

Anyway, how 'bout some good news? Although I didn't have my Taco-Cam with me, that didn't stop me from finding some tasty tacos at The Capitol, along with one of the friendliest taco vendors I have ever run into.

Today's review was at DC On The Fly, a chain of mobile trucks and stands that serve the DC area. What struck me first about this taco truck was that it was modern, sleek, and GREEN! This futuristic truck/stand looked nothing like the standard huge metal "roach coaches" I'm used to seeing parked in vacant lots serving Mexican food. Nope, this was something straight outta the Jetson's and immediately peaked my curiousity at first sight!

Hot dogs and tacos, that's what they sold. I introduced myself to Rene, the taco-salesperson, and ordered two tacos: chicken, no carne asada here. I asked if his tacos were any good, and he told me he thought I'd like them. A minute later, my taco tray was ready, and to my surprise, when I tried to pay, Rene told me to see if I liked them first, before paying. Wow, I had never had service like this! If I didn't like the tacos, I wouldn't be charged??? To this, I responded that I must insist that I pay, but thanked him for the kind gesture. We must of went back and forth three or four times, before he finally took my money, settling on a free drink for The Inspector. It was very kind of him, and I was pretty blown away at the stellar hospitality shown to me by Rene.

The tacos? They were good! Very different, but good. Their chicken estofado tacos were flavorful and spicy, topped with a pepper sauce and onions and carrot slivers on top. I'm not into the whole "organic" thing (as you witnessed at Hugo's in Studio City), but these were pretty good. Later I found out these tacos were made with five types of chiles, cinammon and dark beer! The tacos were good, and good for me-Lord knows that I needed some good energy-food for the on-foot tour I was about to take around the capitol.

But what really made this taco truck great, was the staff...the staff of one that is, and that was Rene. What a cool guy, always smiling, and very pleasant. What a great first impression he gave me of the people of Washington DC. I think I like this town.

The Taco Inspector's Official Rating: 4.0 sombreros out of 5!

Taqueria El Tio Juan's - Puerto Peñasco, Sonora, Mexico

Laura Espinoza in Puerto Peñasco, Sonora, Mexico recommends:

Taqueria El Tio Juan
Calle 13
Puerto Peñasco, Sonora, Mexico 83550





It was Labor Day Weekend, 2009...R Dub's Big-Ass Bus to Rocky Point took 50 listeners to Puerto Peñasco, Mexico to enjoy the weekend. There was sand, sun, and a lot of fun. But perhaps the most magical moment of the weekend came when The Inspector and his friends stopped by Tio Juan's. Situated just two blocks from our hotel, Taqueria El Tio Juan's lies in the heart of Rocky Point's Calle 13. On a street filled with restaurants, stands, carts, and taco establishments of all kinds, something about Jaun's open-air, half-stand, half-restaurant-looking set-up was appealing. Maybe it was the colorful tile on the floor, or the smell of carne on the grill that called you in; or the rows of old school Coca-Cola platic tables, and patrons of all ages that seemed to be having fun. Whatever it was that brought me to Uncle Juan's, I was glad I came. Get ready for some of the best tacos ever!

For more on Tio Juan, check out www.rockypointrestaurants.net

The Taco Shop - Tucson, AZ

Elisa Huerta in Tucson, AZ recommends:

The Taco Shop
1350 E Broadway Blvd
Tucson, AZ 85719
(520) 622-1899





This almost became a terrifying Taco Tuesday, when The Inspector failed to locate the necessary pico de gallo. Find out what happened at The Taco Shop in Tucson, Arizona!

This episode originally ran on Cox TV-7 in Phoenix and Tucson, Arizona, on Wednesday, August 26th on the TV show Su Vida. Check your local listings in Arizona for more Su Vida episodes, also airing Saturday and Sunday afternoons!

El Guero Canelo - Tucson, AZ

Teresa Mendez in Tucson, AZ recommends:

El Guero Canelo
5201 S 12th Ave
Tucson, AZ 85706
(520) 295-9005





If you live in Tucson, you know Guero Canelo! What started out as a small taco stand, many years ago in the heart of Tucson, Arizona, is now a taco-empire. Come with the inspector as he enjoys Guero Canelo's amazing carne asada, along with some great music and a few friendly smiles.

This episode originally ran on Cox TV-7 in Phoenix and Tucson, Arizona, on Wednesday, August 19th on the TV show Su Vida.