Cemita from El Idolo
As a person who eats just about anything, it's kind of interesting to hear about stuff like the new obesity tax that's going to be levied on New Yorkers. I guess that's what happens when there's a budget shortfall, and during all the previous years you counted on tax revenue from insane profits on Wall St. Oops. I hope they never start taxing food trucks. Those things only serve to make people like me fatter. El Idolo is the food truck that's parked by West 3rd st and 6th Avenue in the West Village. The only catch is that they are there from 8pm to 6am. Essentially, they are there for drunk and hungry folks in the West Village area.
The headliner picture is of the cemita sandwich. It's served on a sesame bun and features a meat of your choice and some cheese and guac. The menu says it comes with refried beans and papalo but no beans were on mine and I have no idea what papalo is. The meat is this beef cutlet type of deal, where it's a thin piece of beef that has breading on the outside. This type of meat is not on the menu but it's called Milanesa. It also comes with avacados but it doesn't state that on the menu either.
This is a really filling sandwich, and at $6 dollars, a pretty good deal. It could have used a bit more salt but otherwise I could eat these things fairly often. They're delicious enough and it's still fun getting food out of a truck. So yea, for food truck lovers, this is a good place. For non-food truck lovers, there's just no cure for you. Sorry.
I also tried their beef tongue (lengua) taco. This was decent. Like the cemita, it was satisfying but it didn't knock my socks off. Maybe more salt or some salsa would have helped. The lengua has a softness that is sometimes missing from meats found from a food truck/cart. Be sure to squirt the limes on top as they really help to bring out the flavor.
I've actually walked by the West 4th area many times and have never seen the El Idolo taco truck. The first time I heard about this once mysterious truck was from Robyn's blog. It's a shame the don't get there earlier. If they do 6pm to 4am, I bet they catch more people getting off of work who want some tacos.
Back to the whole 'obesity tax' idea by our cool Governor. I think it's a great idea and they should keep it even after they balance the NY state budget. You gotta love libertarian paternalism. Liber what? It's the idea from this book I started reading called, Nudge by Richard Thaler and Cass Sunstein. The book is basically about how our behaviors are affected by gentle nudges in our environment. The first example they give is the placement of the salad bar vs the burger grill in a cafeteria. Or the placement of vegetables before dessert at a school cafeteria. The fact is something has to come first, and if putting the salad first increases the salad consumption, and thus helping to make the people healthier... why not? People are swayed by incentives, and if the government could use incentives to decrease soda consumption, why not? I know critics don't like the government taxing everything, especially not our beloved soda machines but... it could help us! If you think about it, most of us want a government that helps us. When was the last time we actually wanted a government that hurt us?
El Idolo Taco Truck
West 3rd and 6th Ave.
New York, NY 10014
Love the site. We are big Taco fans as well. We developed an iphone app for tracking trucks. Would love feed back from your readers. Check out the Taco Loco app on iTunes.
TL
January 23, 2010 8:50 pm
great looking tacos. If only my office was still in the area this would be a perfect after work meal! What are your favorite tacos in the city? I've found Pampano and Pinche to be tops, and also enjoy La Taqueria in Park Slope.
Always Eating
January 8, 2009 10:25 am
Papalo is an herb traditionally used in cemitas, pretty surprised that they use it since it's not that easy to get here in NYC. I'm guessing it's the green thing just to the left of center there in the middle of your sandwich.
sickchangeup
January 8, 2009 10:46 am
I always see that truck on my way home after classes but I've never tried it. Maybe now I will...
Ang
January 8, 2009 11:29 am
Oh my gosh, I love cemitas, as well as tortas!!! If you ever want an amazing cemita & find yourself in Jackson Heights, there is a place 1 block from the Roosevelt Street stop called Taqueria Coatzingo.
http://newyork.seriouseats.com/2008/05/taqueria-coatzingo-cemitas-mexican-sandwich-queens-nyc.html
Marina
January 8, 2009 11:51 am
When I initially looked at the 1st picture, I thought it was eggplant and tofu inside the sandwich....thinking that's a very odd pairing..but then I read on...lols Either way, it looks quite tasty -=D
wonders
January 9, 2009 10:45 am
@AlwaysEating,
You know, Pampano has eluded me thus far. Just can't get myself to go all the way up there. Pinche is pretty yummy though and at a price point that I can respect. La Taqueria is also pretty good, but definitely not their grilled shrimp taco. The other stuff is good though.
@sickchangeup,
Oooh ok, cool! Thank you for the clarification!
@Ang,
I wonder if you can ask them to do two diff meats on one thing. If you go, try the gordita. I saw a picture of that and it looks great.
@Marina,
OMG, that link is amazing. I remember when they first posted that story and I didn't know where Jackson Heights was. haha. But yea, that thing looks massive and delicious! Thanks for the link!
@Wonders,
hehe, the cheese does look a bit like tofu!
Danny
January 9, 2009 12:01 pm
it's at 8th ave and 14th now
ftgj
January 27, 2009 10:41 am