EL TORRITO TACO TRUCK - Food Truck Tour Stop #2

The El Torrito truck has been parked on Portage Avenue in front of the Manitoba Hydro building for a few years now.  Their menu is short and simple, three types of tacos (beef, chicken, or fish) and a flame broiled chorizo sausage on a bun.  On past visits I've only tried the beef or chicken tacos (three for $5).  On this most recent visit I finally caved and ordered the El Grande which includes three tacos (beef or chicken), the chorizo sausage, and a drink ($10).  My dining partner went with the three taco deal. 

The chorizo sausage on a bun is basically a hotdog dressed like a taco.  The sausage is juicy and has a distinct flame broiled flavour which pairs nicely with the salsa verde, onion, tomato, cilantro, and housemade mayo based sauce (?) that it's dressed with.  My dining companion thought it was the best out of everything that we tried and stated that if she was craving a hotdog in the area, this would be her obvious choice.  I tend to agree, but the fact that a Mexican variation on a hotdog is the best item on this taco truck's menu is a bit of a drawback for me.  I can't help but imagine how good that chorizo would taste on a taco or what wonders that flame broiling could do with other types of meat.

The tacos are served with the same toppings as the chorizo.  The chicken (shredded) was the definite favourite over the beef (ground), although both were fairly one note, even after garnishing them with lime and salsa verde.  The tacos were double wrapped which I generally prefer, though these were neither full, nor juicy enough to warrant the second tortilla.  It would be nice if they could put that flame to use in preparing the beef or if they had a second salsa to offer.  Despite some flaws, El Torrito is doing a few things very right and five dollars is the certainly the perfect price to satisfy my taco cravings. 

Portage Ave. between Edmonton St. and Carlton St.