El Patrón food truck
Parked at 834 W. Market St.
11 a.m. until late afternoon or early evening
(234) 231-1665
https://www.elpatrontequileria.com/food-trucks

I have a recurring dream that the jingle of a taco truck can be heard on my street, ready to deliver delicious Mexican fare to my house. It sounds like Mariachi music. The scent of garlic, coriander and chiles waft through the breeze. 

While summer graces my East Akron neighborhood with ice cream trucks on the regular, a taco food truck has yet to emerge.

Best of the City Signal Akron logo.

Fortunately, Akron has El Patrón’s sleek, black food truck appearing frequently at city events and festivals such as the Juneteenth celebration on Cascade Plaza and even neighborhood grocery stores such as the Save A Lot on Copley Road. The elusive truck can be reserved for private events — in fact, it would be correct to say “trucks” since El Patrón has several vehicles ready to serve hungry guests.

One of the trucks sits fixed outside the Walgreens in Highland Square, located at 834 W. Market St., starting at 11 a.m. on most days. It is stationed right behind a bus stop and just past the square’s busy bars and shops. Many Akronites will recall the El Taconazo truck that used to sit in the same spot, with customers forming long lines during weekday lunch hours.

Those missing their lunchtime birria fix can experience similar delicious offerings from El Patrón, including tacos, quesadillas and burritos. The truck also sells guacamole, queso with chorizo, street corn salad and Topo Chico. Hungry folks can call ahead at (234) 231-1665 for the day’s menu and to place orders over the phone.

Highland Square resident Nikisha Hill waits for her order from the El Patron food truck.
Highland Square resident Nikisha Hill waits for her order from the El Patron food truck Tuesday, June 25, 2024, while the truck was serving lunch in the Highland Square neighborhood Walgreens parking lot. (Kassi Filkins / Signal Akron)

The food truck’s menu is pared down from El Patrón Tequileria & Cuisine’s full restaurant selections at 54 E. Mill St. downtown, which include mod-Mex fare such as barbacoa fajitas, grilled cactus paddle tacos, agave berry guacamole, jicama salad, Sunday brunch and an extensive selection of tequila and mezcal cocktails.

While several margaritas are named after songs by Canadian rapper-singer Drake (sorry, Kendrick fans and general haters), the food is inspired by owner Luis Escudero’s upbringing in Mexico. Recipes are authentic to various regions in his home country, and many come from his mother’s home-cooked meals.

Escudero is a tequila aficionado, so those with a penchant for the spirit (or curious to learn more about it) should stop in the restaurant, where the owner is often behind the bar or chatting with guests.

Those wanting a delicious taco on the go should track down the El Patrón food truck (updates are often posted on Instagram) or book it for a gathering. Maybe someday I’ll even see that truck crawling down my street and open for business. 

A girl can dream.

2nd place:
Johnny Lóte’s Latin Street Corn
Schedule available here.

3rd place:
El Malecon Mexican Grill
813 Elma St., (330) 524-5568
Monday thru Saturday, 11:30 a.m. to 8:30 p.m.

Brittany Nader has lived in the Akron area most of her life and is passionate about her city. She has covered Northeast Ohio’s music scene since the 2010s. She’s currently a producer for “Shuffle,” a public radio podcast which highlights the region’s music scene. The Kent State University graduate also works for a digital marketing agency.