Tacos Y Mariscos Sinaloa

Truck Info:

Tacos Y Mariscos Sinaloa

031-201-002, Merced, CA 95340

In the parking lot of Chevron, on R St and 14th St

(209) 261-3547

Operating Hours: Monday-Saturday: 8:30am-9:00pm, Sunday: 10:00am-8:00pm

Insta: @mi.bello.sinaloa

Metrics:

Tortilla Type: Flour

Garnishes: Lemon slices, grilled serrano, caramelized onions, radish slices, onions and cilantro

Salsa: Red

Meats: Asada, Al Pastor, Carnitas, Pollo, Buche, Camaron, Pescado, Tripas, Cabeza, Lengua

Spice Level: 2/5, a little kick

Tacos Y Mariscos Sinaloa is a Merced mainstay, and that is easily seen from the always packed parking lot. Whether you want a simple asada taco or a shrimp cocktail, this place is a hit.

Someone much more qualified than me can go on about the quality of their mariscos, but I will discuss their asada and carnitas.

The asada is cooked off pretty crispy, and served on lightly toasted tortillas straight off the plancha. The salsa is closer to a pepper paste. It is bright and floral, lightly acidic but not drowning in citrus. On paper, it would seem like this combination would yield a dry taco, but the juices from the asada soak wonderfully into the tortillas, lending just enough moisture to bring the entire bite together. Each ingredient shines on its own, and I would argue this is a very “Merced” indicative taco, a point I will elaborate on in the future as I have more data points to show off here.

Most carnitas exists on a spectrum between “juicy and fall apart” and “fried off until crispy”. This carnitas straddles that line right down the middle. It is a great middle ground for both camps, and the carnitas grease provides the exact same purpose as that of the asada, tying together perfect bites. A little bit of lemon juice, onions and cilantro, and salsa are all this carnitas needs to shine.

This truck’s popularity is no fluke. They serve consistently great food, and I hope that continues for many years to come.