Thu24May2012

Tacos on three wheels

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Elena Miramar Print Email

Tacobike


Alfonso Dominguez is a busy, and innovative, man. The Oakland native is owner of Tamarindo restaurant and co-founder of popuphood, a small business incubator that was recently nominated for the Oakland Indie Awards. His latest venture is El Taco Bike.

“It was a project that I had for a long time in my head,” says Dominguez. “The taco truck concept does not exist in Mexico - there it is very common to

see people riding tricycles and selling something. I wanted to show the culture of the street food,” adds Dominguez, whose parents emigrated to the U.S. from Jalisco, Mexico.

Dominguez bought the bicycle in Mexico and brought it to Oakland, where he modified it to a unique and authentic look.

“I have the first tricycle that sells hot food, like tacos de canasta, elotes, tamales, tortas, burritos, and chocolate”.

You can see Alfonso riding his taco bike on Broadway in downtown Oakland. He also does a lot of catering and can bring his bike to private events.

“I wanted to represent the street food like it is in Mexico,” he says. “I like the way you can interact with your clients. From a taco truck, there is only a little window - with the bicycle you can really talk and interact in a totally different way.”