Everyone talks about the restaurants on Lakeview Pkwy. Nobody talks about the taco trucks on Highway 66. Here is the guide.
Background: Route 66 (also called Rowlett Rd in sections) runs through the southern part of Rowlett into Garland. It is less developed, more industrial, and that is exactly where the best taco trucks park.
Truck 1: The blue truck near the auto parts store on 66 east of Dalrock This truck has been in the same spot for at least two years. No name on the truck that I can read — just a handwritten menu on a whiteboard. The al pastor is carved from an actual trompo. Flour tortillas are handmade on the spot.
- What to order: Al pastor, suadero, lengua if they have it
- Price: $2.50-3.00 per taco
- Hours: Roughly 10 AM - 8 PM, closed Monday
- Cash only
Truck 2: The red truck in the gas station parking lot on 66 near the Garland border This one shows up on weekends starting around 11 AM. The specialty is birria tacos — the ones you dip in the consomme. They also do elote and aguas frescas.
- What to order: Birria tacos (3 for $10 with consomme), elote
- Price: Slightly higher than the blue truck but the birria is worth it
- Hours: Saturday and Sunday only, 11 AM - sold out (usually by 6 PM)
- Cash preferred, they might take Venmo
Truck 3: The white trailer near the tire shop on Rowlett Rd This one rotates. Sometimes it is there, sometimes it is not. When it is, the barbacoa on Saturday mornings is the best I have had in the eastern suburbs. They prep it overnight and serve it fresh.
- What to order: Barbacoa tacos (weekend mornings), asada any day
- Price: $2-3 per taco
- Hours: Inconsistent. Drive by and check.
- Cash only
Tips for finding taco trucks in Rowlett:
- Drive 66/Rowlett Rd between Dalrock and the Garland line on a Saturday around noon. You will find at least two trucks operating.
- Look for the parking lots with pickup trucks already in them. If construction workers are eating there on a weekday, it is good.
- Bring cash. Most trucks are cash only.
- Do not expect English menus. Point, smile, say "al pastor" and "por favor" and you will eat well.
These trucks make better tacos than 90% of the sit-down restaurants in Rowlett. That is not an insult to the restaurants. It is a compliment to the trucks.
The birria truck on weekends is incredible. My wife and I discovered it by accident when we were getting gas. The consomme for dipping is rich and perfectly spiced. Get there before 2 PM because the line gets long.