#stellataco

[portlandpublictacolove]

Happy life, health and love fellow taco heads, welcome to another professional posting of Portland Public Taco. Last week one of my homies declared his potential to jump on the taco band wagon if grass fed meat was offered. Luckily, the truth is out there!  Portland is home to a number of taqueria’s who serve meat that is sustainably raised.  Lucky number one on my list, Stella Taco. Located on the corner of NE Alberta and 30th, right across from  Alberta Rose theater. 

I categorize Stella Taco as a Gentueria, (check post one for various taqueria descriptions) also it is inspired in a Tex-Mex tradition.  Before I go any further I must speak to the recent “Burrito Gate” inquiries happening in Portland.  I can see both sides of the argument that have been stated over the past week.  My post is simply not associated with this current conflict.  Therefore, if you’re looking for drama go find yo’ mama.  A categorization of  Gentueria simply informs my audience of a few simple facts.  For example, Gentueria is an establishment in an area that has been “renewed" in the past 15 years or so. Further, the establishment most times, but not always, lacks diverse ethnic patrons besides their staff.  Prices are a bit more, but I’ve said before I’m willing to pay a bit more for food that is fair trade and sustainable from farm to table.  

Tacos  🌮🌮🌮🌮out of🌮🌮🌮🌮🌮

It is difficult to find a flaw in the tacos at Stella Taco. Their corn tortilla are hand pressed locally, flour tortillas (following a tex-mex tradition?) are pressed in house, and all protein besides chicken are local and free range (sourced from employee). I chose one Brisket taco, and a veggie taco. The brisket, which earned itself a solo photo shoot is absolutely delicious. Tender beef brisket, phenomenal pickled onions and cilantro. Each ingredient aesthetically pleasing to my hungry eyes, was perfectly plattered on a corn tortilla security blanket. My only complaint might be the shear size of the taco. It’s important to remember the given name “street taco,” suggest that one could pick this up on the go, and not worry about a mess of rogue ingredients attacking your clothes. Otherwise the meat was succulent, and pickled onions positively impacted my experience. My veggie taco consisted of hand battered crispy avocado, a house slaw, vegan ranch dressing for all you mid-westerners and finely grated cotija.  I could pass on the vegan ranch and the grated cotija, but that my personal preference.  Never the less the battered avocado street taco is an excellent choice especially if you are choosing to go herbivore. 

Dining 🌮🌮🌮🌮out of 🌮🌮🌮🌮🌮

When I made my visit on Tuesday afternoon it was kinda of dead at Stella Taco, however I’m sure that didn’t last for long since they have a pretty dope happy hour with adult beverages available.  Directive:  try one of Stella Tacos salted-rim Bloody Mary pints, I personally recommend it.  Depending on when you visit, you may be standing in a pretty decent line and finding it difficult to locate a spot for your touche.  There is a smaller bar along the window for single patrons, four tops line one window. In addition, the west wall is lined with a long booth on one side and chairs on the other.  Lastly, larger than counter height tables with booths for giants are pretty neat.  They are strategically placed in the middle of the taco zone.  After ordering at the counter you’ll receive a number and the launch codes for the nuclear football suitcase, ha!  Just joking, obviously, don’t take life so seriously, but their are a plethora of instructions facilitated.  Directions include what to do with distributed plastic number tab, how to be successful in the space and where water and salsa is located.  There was some old skool country western playing in the background, not really my thing, but it matched the theme well.  Personally message me for music recommendations, I have an excellent pallet for music.  Outdoor seating is available, but race for the chair, I’ve sat along the bench seating once, and was barely able to fit my legs under the table, and I’m average size 5″9′ 170lbs (Just in case a GQ editor is reading this blog).

Cost 🌮🌮🌮🌮 out of 🌮🌮🌮🌮🌮

I came during happy hour and paid an excellent $2 per taco satisfaction and pure enjoyment.  Otherwise you’re looking at an average price of $3 with a low end of $2.75 for street level tacos, and $4 for top self.  If I could give half  tacos I’d really award Stella Taco a 4.5.  Remember, depending on what you order, most ingredients here are thoughtfully prepared with humanity and justice in mind.  

Overall 🌮🌮🌮🌮out of 🌮🌮🌮🌮🌮 

Stella Taco is great, be choosy about when you attend, depending on your expectations and need of simplicity for nourishment.  I’d like to go back and try their breakfast tacos as well, but that will be after my taco hiatus.  Don’t let the gentueria classification stop you, matter of fact let that drive your decision to go. I’m a huge advocate of integrating our public spaces as much as possible.  One reformation I would recommend is a discontinuation of plastic ramekins.  As a society we MUST get over this normalcy of disposable materials being available to society as a necessity.  I only say this since Stella Taco has the chance to be a leader in this transition.  

Otherwise I’m taking a few weeks off of the taco tour, this tacologist has to keep up his hot body for wife, kids and myself.  Therefore you're on your own over the next two weeks, don’t blunder and end up at Taco Bell!  ~Portland Public Taco

[juliaelizabethbond]

@stellatacopdx 🙌🏻🌮#neon #sign #stellataco #pink #blue #color (at Stella Taco)