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The Mexico Influence - Food, Trucks & Bags

Wandering around Manhattan is always interesting, made even more so by the unique and totally fantastic shopping streets, one of which is Elizabeth Street in the Nolita (North of Little Italy) neighbourhood.

 

After a good few hours of shopping, we were getting hungry and a vibrant place at the top of Elizabeth Street called Tacombi caught our eyes. We were very lucky to get a table because, as soon as we sat down, the lunch-time queue formed outside the ‘restaurant’ - if you can call it that. It was more a large warehouse, with a 1960’s Volkswagen campervan in the middle serving fantastic Mexican food (slider style) – some favourites were the crispy fish tacos and ‘corn esquites’.

 

 Tacombi Mexican Food Van

 

Not only was this place interesting because of the friendly vibe, authentic theming and great food but, as many of the Vida Vida leather bags are handmade in Mexico, I found the colourful and simple patterns extremely inspiring. As well as this, New York is definitely on trend, mixing two new food crazes in London that have really taken off; Mexican food and Truck food.

 

Burritos in particular have taken over London recently. With hundreds of different places including Chilango, The Flying Burrito and Wahaca now filling our streets you really can’t turn a corner without the lovely smell of tacos surrounding you. My favourite of the lot, although all are tasty, is probably Chipotle, which after being established in 1993 in the USA came to Europe three years ago and is definitely the most natural fast food you will find on Baker Street.

 

The other yummy if not slightly unusual craze is fast food from trucks. Probably due to the amount of music festival trucks with delicious food including perfect corn, proper pie and mash and real burgers which have gained popularity, firstly over the summer at festivals, and later on around London. You can also find mouth-watering meatballs from the Bowler, exotic ice-cream from La Griotta or Mexican Street food from Luardos. Track the trucks whereabouts online at www.luardos.co.uk, @thebowleruk or kitty@lagrottaices.com.

 

You will find this fantastic food stalls are cheaper than most places, yet the food is generally tasty and organic, and who wouldn’t want to sit by the side of a truck in British Summer now the sun has finally arrived? (It was sunny when I wrote this – honest!)