Possibly Enumclaw's First Food Truck -- and a Yummy One at That

It was at one of the last Enumclaw City Council meetings last year when I got to chatting with a lady who was not only concerned about the but wanted to let Patch know that there's this taco truck hidden behind the US Bank on Cole Street and they've got some darn tasty tacos!

Well it took us a while but I stopped by Taqueria El Corral yesterday for a look-see -- more specifically, they're parked on the same property as Enumclaw Autoworks -- and can fully agree there's some great food coming off this particular truck.

My diet these days has been rendered dairy-free for health reasons and so I asked Adele Valdovinos, who was running the truck with her mother Maria, if there was something I could sample without cheese. She said basically anything on the menu can be made without cheese and suggested the tacos, so that's what I ordered: carnitas tacos with a large horchata to go.

And because it wasn't smothered in cheese, I got to really enjoy the flavor of the tender, juicy shredded pork, nestled happily on a cushion of soft corn tortillas and garnished simply with chopped onions and cilantro. Topped with some fresh-squeezed lime juice and salsa and who knew something so simple could taste so good?

Valdovinos told me the food truck as been in Enumclaw since July of last year and was a total family effort consisting of both her parents, herself and her brother and sister-in-law.  On any given day, any one or a combination of family members are manning the truck.

While the family lives in Kent, they decided to set up shop in Enumclaw because, as Valdovinos explained, her brother was driving on State Route 410 through town to get to eastern Washington and 'fell in love with the place.' The family agreed it was a good idea to try this business venture as there was not anything like this in Enumclaw at the time, she said.

Food trucks appear to be cropping up around the Plateau -- with in Buckley standing out as another local success -- but they're still a fairly new phenomenon. According to Valdovinos, the family hit a few minor roadblocks to getting the food truck open for business as it seemed the city of Enumclaw hasn't had much experience issuing permits for businesses on wheels. Note that the ground under the truck is paved -- that was one of the requirements the city had before they could open, Valdovinos said.

Nonetheless, business was great throughout the summer, she said, with lots of foot traffic. Things have slowed some in the winter and some customers have suggested they move somewhere a bit more visible, but they can be seen from State Route 410 -- if you're paying attention.

Oh, and I would have taken a picture of my tacos first but they didn't last long enough for me to whip out my camera.

Taqueria El Corral is open from 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. seven days a week. They are located at 907 Cole Street in Enumclaw behind Enumclaw Autoworks. Call 253-951-0799 for to-go orders.