It was a cold day in November when the HELM office called in lunch at Veracruz All Natural. “Oh great,” I thought. “Another taco trailer.”
This uneducated thought was long before the scrumptious Veracruz All Natural Sandwich (or what I like to call the V.A.N.S—no relation to the shoes) first bequeathed my oral sanctum with enlightenment. And then and there, I was proven wrong—this was not just another taco trailer.
Since that day, my weekday lunch hours are increasingly graced by the smiles and sweet, hardworking attitudes of the two sisters who own and operate Veracruz All Natural. The vegetarian tacos are my next favorite, while my family prefers the Migas and the La Renya. One of the craziest things is the tacos stay hot for a super long time. Like, a strangely long time. They come out piping hot and full of fresh, local ingredients, and they stay hot...and stay hot...and stay hot—as if there is some sort of secret special heating ingredient. And no, it’s not the foil. But whatever it is, it can’t be an additive or preservative, because V.A.N. is 100% All Natural.
In between orders, the lovely hermanas make fresh salsa in their molcajete, which you don’t want to miss. Add it to anything you order there lest you miss the icing on the cake. The other, must-have taco complement? One of V.A.N.’s top-notch smoothies or agua frescas. I often get their “Mr. Z” smoothie with pineapple and kiwi, but you can also make your own with grapefruit, pear, mango—lots of fun options, all made with 100% real fruit.
If you’re feeling frisky, though, try the corn in a cup with parmesan, lime and chili powder (although I suggest you hold off on the chili powder for the kiddos or if you are known to share your corn in a cup with your dog).
Please note that the V.A.N. menu is sometimes “under construction,” but don’t worry, the hermanas de V.A.N always come back with something strong. And last, but by far not least, you must know that there used to be a huge snow cone on top of the trailer that is now hiding behind it, but if you get close enough, the red spray-painted foam looks like a gigantic brain. My son thinks this is awesome, and so do I.