Tacos El Loco food truck back in Newton

Tacos El Loco is back — and better than ever.

With a new truck and location, owner and operator Jaime “Loco” Lopez is ready to serve the authentic Mexican dishes he is known for.

“I sold my old truck and got a better truck this year. I’m starting brand new and getting more food and doing some different things this year,” Lopez said.

Located in the parking lot at New Star, 702 First Ave. E., Lopez is serving made-from-scratch dishes straight from Jaslico, Mexico including tostadas, burritos, quesadilla and tacos. His brightly painted truck, courtesy of Sign Pro, displays Day of the Dead graphics, which falls in line with Lopez’s family heritage.

“We used to make tacos in Mexico, so it’s like a family tradition. My brothers and my uncles, they own restaurant chains in San Antonio,” Lopez said. “We like to make the real authentic Mexican tacos.”

Lopez started cooking at an early age, learning from family and creating his own dishes.

“We had been following my grandma and aunts, seeing what they are making. I have been cooking since I was a kid, I was curious smelling the food and mixing ingredients,” Lopez said. “I try to have different meals that a lot of people haven’t tried.”

He said his food is on the spicier side but “the good Mexican food is spicy.”

“Everything is a family tradition, family recipes. I have been following the recipes for years,” Lopez said. “I’m trying to bring the tradition from Mexico back here.”

Lopez has not yet nailed down permanent hours, but plans to be open for lunch between 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. and dinner beginning at 5 p.m. on Friday and Saturdays with additional days to come. Also, as the season continues, he plans to feature specials derived from ideas he gets from his mother in Mexico.

“You never know with Loco,” Lopez said.

Most of all, Lopez is happy to be back in truck and cooking authentic Mexican food for the people of Newton.

“I’m excited to get started and see what happens,” Lopez said.

Contact Jamee A. Pierson at
641-792-3121 ext. 6534 or
jpierson@newtondailynews.com