Nicky’s Tacos – For a Quick Bite Late at Night
If you’ve ever attended a show at Belasco or the Mayan in the last few years you will have no doubt noted the taco operation right across the street at Olive and 11th. Nicole, Emiliano, and Lilly are there ready to serve your pre-show and post-show hunger!
The trio sets up their portable kitchen on the sidewalk only when there are shows at either of the two venues. Judging from what I witnessed while conducting my interview with the crew the other night, business is good! The business is owned and run by Lilly whose family relative owns the small log café on the corner of 11th and Olive. While not open for the last few years, the structure acts as an electrical, and clean-up base for the portable kitchen. Lilly is the boss and directs her daughter, Nicole, and Emiliano in the counter and prep work. The simple efficiency of the operation is impressive!
The menu is filled with tempting Mexican street food items. According to Nicole, their customers demand big spice in the presentation – “the hotter the better”. One of the most popular dishes is the Concheeto Burrito (lots of spice and rolled in crushed hot Cheetos). The rest of the menu is just as impressive and fills the large banner across the wall behind the frying station – enough variety to satisfy almost any late-night hunger pang.
Lilly is a dynamo. She recently obtained her license to operate a food trailer in addition to her fixed operation at Nicky’s Tacos and will soon have a fancy new Taco Trailer parked daily somewhere in South Park. All the food items presented at Nicky’s Tacos are prepared by Lilly in her home kitchen. Nichole told me that she is up early every morning, cutting and chopping ingredients for her late-night customers. The three of them often open at 5:00 pm for a show that lasts until 2:00 the next morning. With cleaning and packing up, they often don’t get home until 5:00 am. Lilly is still up early that morning prepping for the coming evening! This impressive hard-working family is the epitome of the American dream!
When you get the urge for an early evening or late-night snack (be sure there is a show at Belasco or the Mayan) you might stop by and pick up a burrito or a couple of tacos! You’ll love this “hot” little restaurant!
By John Nilsson