Eating Well on the Street

Chabelita’s Tacos, located at 2001 S. Garey Ave., Pomona, is open everyday except Monday, 5:30 p.m. to 11:30 p.m. The stand, always busy with customers stopping by to order food, serves up delicious tacos and has a wide variety of toppings to accompany them. / photo by Casi Martinez

by Lindsey Pacela
photography by Casi Martinez

It is 9 p.m. on a Friday night. My friend and I are looking for something good to eat. We’re craving tacos, but at this hour, most restaurants are closing. That’s when I discovered StreetFoodFinder.com, a website and app for iOS and Android. Simply enter the city you are in, and a list of street food vendors will pop up, as well as the times they are open and, occasionally, a detailed menu.

Some people avoid a good street food stand. That might be because you are simply a little rusty with your Spanish or because of the lack of a Public Health Food Grade. In my experience, taking a leap of faith and trying something new might just lead to your new favorite food spot. So try it; you might just surprise yourself.

Following are some of the best street food options we found near La Verne.

Chabelita’s Tacos, 2001 S. Garey Ave., Pomona

One of the best places to get a good taco around La Verne is in Pomona, and this humble, Tijuana style stand may just be unbeatable. After trying just about every combination of tortilla, meat and toppings, I have to say that their quesa tacos with carne asada and everything on it are the best. Like all of their options, the tortillas are made to order, pressed right in front of you. A good helping of fresh cheese is grilled and placed on the tortilla until golden brown, before being loaded with your choice of meat and toppings. Both the red and green salsas are a must. Be sure to bring cash or be ready to use Zelle, as they do not accept any other form of payment. Open every day, except Mondays, from 5:30 p.m. to 11:30 p.m.. Follow them on Instagram @chabelitas_tacos_.

Churros Morita, 2001 S. Garey Ave., Pomona

If you’re looking for a quick and inexpensive dessert, especially after a few street food stops throughout Pomona, look no further than Churros Morita. It offers six churros for $5, five platanos for $6 and the servers are happy to add as much sweet milk, strawberry or cajeta drizzle as you like. They no longer have an Instagram account, and their hours are not specified, but if you’re lucky enough to catch them on a weekday during the evenings, they might just be some of the best platanos you can get. Cash only.

Tacos Pasadita, on Towne Avenue, north of the Arrow Highway intersection, Pomona

With some of the most inexpensive tacos around, this food stand features all of the classics but better. Tacos Pasadita offers fast service and even horchata to cool off from all of its different salsas. If you’re feeling brave, try the green salsa, but only if you’re OK with your tongue going numb for a little while afterwards. Tacos Pasadita is open for business on most weekday evenings. Follow them on Instagram @tacos_pasadita.

Old Stump Brewing Co., 2896 Metropolitan Place, Pomona

While this location may not technically be street food, it does serve it nightly. This business serves up plenty of beer with more than 20 options to choose from and is dog friendly on its beautifully lit outdoor patio. Every night of the week, there is a different food truck that pulls up outside that offers everything from tacos and enchiladas to pizza and barbecue. This unique spot is open Monday to Thursday, from 3 p.m. to 10 p.m., Friday 3 p.m. to 11:30 p.m., Saturday noon to 11:30 p.m., Sunday noon. to 8 p.m. (winter hours). The trucks do take cash and card. Follow them on Instagram @oldstumpbrewery.

Tacos Victor, 2090 S. Garey Ave., Pomona

Tacos Victor, Oaxaca style, has been a predictable regular serving for a little more than three years now with plenty of colorful seating and a table outside. While the nacho cheese may not be made from scratch, it just seems to hit the spot over an order of their al pastor nachos that could easily serve two, with meat cut straight from the trompo spinning just outside of the truck. Be sure to ask for extra avocado salsa. Tacos Victor offers more than just nachos though, and is open Wednesdays and Thursdays, 4 p.m. to 11 p.m., and Fridays and Saturdays, 5 p.m. to 10:30 p.m. Cash and card are accepted. Follow them on Instagram @tacosvictor_.