Taco Truck On McDonough Worth Visiting: Ferak Column

JOLIET, IL - Last week's column about my first visit to the Mr. Submarine restaurant on West Jefferson Street drew a lot of reaction from readers. Several reached out and gave me a number of other restaurant suggestions notably Ta Canijo Taco Truck. Many people simply call it "The Taco Truck." It's at 328 McDonough St., the corner of McDonough and Route 6. You can't miss it. Trust me.

Before becoming a restaurant success, the property had been a balloon and gift shop.

"On a very cold Dec. 22, 2016 day Tacos R Us was opened on the corner of McDonough and Route 6. An idea inspiring to sell the best tacos to the Joliet community at a great price with quick service, friendly attitude, authentic flavor and incomparable," its website proclaims. "Within a year we were made aware ... that our establishment's name was trademarked….. talk about a difficult/messed up situation. Which created ‘Ta Canijo.’ Our new name is what inspired us to follow our dream of having a taco truck on every corner."

I showed up around 11 a.m. Thursday. And I couldn't believe it. There was no line! But that changed quickly. Within minutes, a Joliet Police officer stopped to order his lunch. Then a couple more people pulled up on motorcycles. Another man wearing a reflective construction vest stopped. By the time my meal was ready, I counted about a dozen customers waiting to order or waiting to pick up their carry out meal.

I love to eat Mexican, but I tend to stick with burritos, steak burritos, and I want good ones. I played it safe at the Taco Truck and ordered the Asada (steak) burrito. Needing something to drink, I ordered a 7 UP. I didn't realize the soda is served in vintage glass bottles, which is pretty cool.

As regular customers already know, the Taco Truck does not have outdoor dining. Some people eat in their vehicles, but most take it home.

I drove downtown and parked by City Hall. I walked across the street and ate my lunch at one of the picnic tables overlooking the Des Plaines River. It was a gorgeous day to be eating outside.

This was a quality burrito. It had lots of flavor, and the steak was juicy. At one point I finally realized, 'hey I still have these two cups of salsa in my carry out bag.' Not having a clue what they tasted like, I dipped my finger in one and tried it. It was a hot! When it comes to spicy and hot food, I'm a big wimp, so the salsa cups eventually wound up in the garbage can outside City Hall.

Will I eat at the Ta Canijo Taco Truck again? You bet. The prices are reasonable, and the food is fresh.

If you haven't tried the Taco Truck, I would suggest you give it try. Here's the website for Ta Canijo Taco Truck.

RELATED: My First Mr. Submarine Visit: Ferak Column

A Joliet native and former investigative reporter and editor with USA TODAY NETWORK-Wisconsin, John Ferak is Patch Editor for Joliet, New Lenox and Bolingbrook and Patch coverage for Shorewood and Channahon-Minooka.

Images via John Ferak/Joliet Patch Editor