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Taco trucks and other mobile eateries have beengaining popularity in mainstream culture, but formany Latinos, these traveling kitchens have been astaple go-to for fast, cheap and authentic eats. And,

with summers arrival, what better way to enjoy thesunshine than sneaking out for a mid-day taco tasting?We checked out five mobile eateries across the country that are doing morethan their share to dispel the roach coach mentality long attached to foodtruck vendors by selling quality bites that adhere to strict health departmentstandards. Visit cafemagazine.com for more on this story, including ratings.

CUISINE CRUISERS

SAN ANTONIO

Tin Can TacosPHOTOS

Maura Wall Hernndez

12192 Bandera Road, San Antonio, Texas (210) 913-6758

A gutted and refurbished 1968 Airstream trailer is home to this tastymobile Mexican taco joint, but dont let its whimsical name fool you.Owner Manny Olivarez, who attended culinary school and has a back-ground in fine dining and restaurant management, opened Tin Can inApril 2010. The menu includes tacos, burritos, tortas, empanadas and agourmet salad with a mango-peach jalapeo ranch dressing thats justthe right amount ofpicante. Dont miss the avocado cream salsa, either.Bonus: Tin Can also sellspaletas from local supplier, El Paraso.

WORDSMaura Wall Hernndez

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OUTDOORDINING

SAN ANTONIO

Chelas Tacos PHOTOSMaura Wall HernndezCorner of UTSA and UTEX Blvds., San Antonio, Texas (210) 535-7340

This husband and wife taco operation run by Martin and Celia Davis is tops when itcomes to real Mexican tacos this side of the border. Try the famous costra del gero, acrusty, cheesy delight, filled with your choice of meat (we suggest the carne asada, pic-tured here, or steaka la mexicana) and enveloped in two of Chelas homemade flour tor-tillas, griddled to perfection. Other favorite menu items include barbacoa de cachete, acreamy chicken cilantro, carne guisada, and homemade chorizo and carne al pastorthatare to-die-for. Warning: repeat visits will be required youll want to eat the whole menu.

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NEW YORK

Habana Outpost PHOTOSRobbie Lee757 Fulton St., Brooklyn, New York (718) 858-9500

Like its name states, Habana Outpost is the Brook-lyn outfit of New York Citys popular Caf Habana (17

Prince St., Nolita borough). Menu favorites include theCuban sandwich, mango salad, shrimp burrito and theirmost popular dish: corn, grilled and served on a stickwith the traditional fixings (mayonnaise, chili powder,crumbly cheese and lime wedges). Enjoy the Outpostslarge patio while you kick back with one of their frozenmojitos and people watch, as we hear its always bus-tling. Alongside the food, youll also find a modest mar-ketplace, packed with local artists and designers ped-dling their creations.

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OUTDOORDINING

LOS ANGELES

Kogi BBQ WORDS/PHOTOSMarieSam SanchezCheck www.kogibbq.com for weekly schedules

In a city thats known for its diverse cuisine, Kogi BBQ uniquelycombines the best of two major cultures in the Los Angeles landscape Korean and Mexican to create a flavor all its own. Fans of Kogifollow and track down their four truck routes (Roja, Azul, Verde andNaranja) through Twitter and the weekly location schedules posted ontheir website. This award-winning fleet of taco trucks has received nodsfrom Bon Appetit and Food & Wine magazines.

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CAFGRANDE

CHICAGO

El Secreto del SaborPHOTOSalBerto Trevio

Near Division St. and Kedzie Ave. (773) 227-5254

The side of this popular Humboldt Park neighborhood truck saysricas frituras de todas clases (delicious fritters of every kind) andtheyre not joking. Some of our favorites include the alcapurrias, re-llenos de papa andpiononos. Also not to miss: the mofongo, morcilla(blood sausage speckled with rice) or the arroz con gandules almostas good as mams. The only downside? No seating and virtually nocounter space, making it difficult to eat there unless youre willing tochow down off the hood of your car. We even spotted some Chicagopolice officers enjoying lunch from El Secreto in their squad car proofits worthy of the title Chicagos finest.