National Taco Day
Tacos. A cuisine enjoyed so much, we’ve devoted every Tuesday to enjoying them. It’s not hard to make them a regular meal - every home and restaurant has unique and flavorful recipes that follow the original formula but feature local ingredients and techniques. Tacos first arrived in the U.S. in the early 1900’s but date back to the 18th century. The nixtamalization process to make masa for corn tortillas is deeply routed in Mexican tradition, and is one of the 3 main components of a taco (tortilla, filling, and salsa).
The word taco comes from the Nahuatl word ‘tlahco’ which means “half or in the middle”, referring to how a tortilla is folded with the contents inside. The term “taco” originally referred to the explosive powder charges used in Mexican silver mines in the late 1800s. Miners would wrap gunpowder in silver paper to make cigar-style explosives. Then the miners started calling their lunches tacos as well because tortillas were wrapped around their fillings.
Authenticity is a tricky concept, since food is always changing. In Boston, the food that is authentic to us is what is local and seasonal. Today we’re celebrating what’s authentic to Boston, and preordering for Tuesday.
The Taco Subscription Box
Imagine a world where every Tuesday, a taco box arrived on your doorstep. Inside, was fresh, local and seasonal ingredients: tortillas, 2 fillings (one classic, one inventive) toppings, 2 salsas, a lime, and a generous portion of beans. You’ll have dinner on the table in under 10 minutes, while supporting local farmers and minimizing your carbon footprint.
Dreams do come true, with Clover Food Lab’s Taco Subscription Box. Earlier this year a team member subscribed when the service launched. A self described carnivore (she’s really an omnivore who eats fresh, local, and organic) it took her three weeks to realize the boxes would always be vegan. Her favorites include chorizo tofu, ground beef lentils, and the mole sauce. Last month Clover added room for 50 new subscribers, and space was filled faster than the local corn tortillas could be warmed. Now there’s a waitlist.
Critics Choice (and our Brunch Pick) Lone Star Taco Bar
Texas may be the lone star state, but we have the Lone Star Taco Bar. Lone Star offers the ultimate in mezcal, tequila, and Mexican street food. Fresh juices, house made ingredients, and a beer selection intended to pair with their menu. Tacos are inspired by the open air markets of Dallas and Austin Texas and Mazatlan Mexico. Available for dine in and take out.
Tacos with Boston flavor
Remember when Bartaco was a stop on our Seaport Scavenger Hunt? Finding seafood on their taco list isn’t new. Last year it was lobster taco kits, last week it was soft shell crab. This week, for National Taco Day they’re bringing back a fan-favorite taco, the roasted brussels sprouts. The roasted brussels sprouts taco features roasted honey chipotle glazed brussels sprouts served on a bed of spicy curry carrot puree and garnished with our sweet and spicy candied pepitas and pickled onions. The #bartacosecret taco represents how tacos evolved through Mexico using local ingredients and techniques. When it comes to roasted brussels, if you know, you know.
Inclusion in themed roundups is NOT sponsored and can’t be purchased. Wondering where we get our picks? We feature businesses that might have been noticed by a team member, be a BostonYPA Member, welcomed our events, or impressed us otherwise. Sometimes venues share gift cards or swag that will be a prize at a next event.
