Taqueria Sanchez: mobile Shady Restaurant of the Month
by Andrew | May 23, 2008 | 12 Comments
(votes: 5, average: 3.8) 
Loading ...Taqueria Sanchez is located around the 5000 block of NW 23rd St in Oklahoma City (map). They are open 7 days a week during most daylight hours.
To the drive-by reader, the title “Shady Restaurant of the Month” may appear insulting, but shady-lovers everywhere know the truth. It is a distinguished honor and a true privilege to earn this title. To receive the “Shady Restaurant of the Month” award, an establishment must not only provide tasty fare, but also it must be bold, daring, adventuresome, and willing to flex its culinary muscles in a less than desirable location, under less than desirable conditions. Plus, it must remain steadfast in its calling as the higher-end restaurant snobs turn their nose up and speed by on their way to whatever “safe” food they can find served in a polished interior. Anyway, today we bestow this high honor on Taqueria Sanchez.
Taqueria Sanchez is located 5000-ish NW 23rd in Oklahoma City. I say “ish” because they move around a bit. On the weekends, they are usually in the parking lot of the auto repair shop on the corner, but during the week, they seem to move to whatever parking lot lets them sit there the longest. Speaking of mobile taco stands, I read that Los Angeles is about to pass a law keeping these mobile trucks of goodness from sitting in one spot for more than an hour at a time. This will ruin their businesses. Apparently, local brick and mortar restaurants put pressure on governments to pass such laws because these mobile delights, with no rent and little overhead, have an advantage over the traditional sit down establishment. Let’s hope that the entrepreneurial masa artists in Oklahoma City are not similarly restricted.
I usually eat at taco stands a couple of times each week. They are cheap, convenient, and they offer a level of taco, burrito, and gordita goodness that most restaurants in town only dream of. I like Taqueria Sanchez in particular because they have a really flavorful chicken taco. The al pastor isn’t bad either, but it’s nothing like Max Burger. You can also get carne asada, lengua, barbacoa (occasionally), and you get to choose whether you want them in the form of tacos, burritos, mulitas (best described as corn tortilla quesadillas), quesadillas, or tortas (Mexican sandwiches).
The prices are great. You can have tacos for $1, burritos for $4, or mulitas for $2. Whatever you choose, it’s a great value, but you really get the best bang for your buck with the burrito. It’s $4, but keep in mind this includes tax, and it is big enough to be a meal in itself. Stuffed with rice, beans, meat, cilantro, and hot sauce, you won’t need more than one.
I also encourage you to move beyond chicken or beef. Try the lengua. Sure, it’s tongue, but you can’t say you don’t like it until you try it. It has a real beefy flavor, like roast beef. It’s very tender. Plus, it’s fun to see little taste buds on the chunks of meat. A friend of mine refuses to eat it saying he won’t eat food that can taste him. He’s a wimp. Also, the tripas (Mexican chitterlings) aren’t bad, although I prefer them in soupy dishes rather than tacos.
If you need an icy-cold beverage and can’t wait to get a can of Dr. Pepper when you get back home, try the flavor of Jarritos. It’s the first national soft drink brand of Mexico. It features lots of fruity flavors if that’s your cup of tea. I’d stick with Dr. Pepper, but Sanchez doesn’t sell it.
In a way, the goal of this review is to encourage you to eat at any taco stand you can find. There are hundreds throughout the Oklahoma City metro, each with a unique flavor and offering. Plus, their shadiness cannot be questioned. Sure, there have been accusations of these stands having sub-par health ratings, as was reported in Nashville, but I don’t believe it. I think these stands offer great food at great prices. If you turn your noses up at them, you are passing up the opportunity to introduce your palate to so many fresh and unique flavors.
Oklahoma City, it’s time to celebrate the shadiness of ordering food while standing on a street corner. Give it a try, and let us know what you think in the comments.
We want to hear from you!
So far, 12 people have responded to this article. Won't you join in?May 24th, 2008 at 5:29 pm
My wife and I stopped and got tacos there a few weeks back. It was really good. Wifey got the chicken and I got one chicken, one barbacoa and one lengua. All were well prepared, well seasoned and very tasty. We will go back again…we might even go tonight.
May 26th, 2008 at 11:06 am
You have now given me the nerve to stop and try these kind of places. I always “knew” I was missing some great food, but now I “know” I have been. Thanks for the confidence-building review. I’ll report back after my first meal. I doubt I’ll have the lengua, though. I’ll have to break myself in slowly.
May 27th, 2008 at 10:15 am
Stopped there this weekend. We have dined at several truck vendors and so far this has been the best. My wife and I both had the Pork Burritos. I also ordered two Asada tacos but we were so full we could not eat them so we took them home. My picky son loved the taco. It is our new favorite mexican food vendor. If th truck is not there you won’t go wrong by stopping by the grocery store on the same block. They offer several authentic Mexican dishes in the small cafe located inside. We often drive from Guthrie and shop the local thrift stores just to have the excuse to eat Oklahoma City’s best mexican food.
May 27th, 2008 at 7:16 pm
you didnt think i would see you calling me a “wimp” did you??
June 2nd, 2008 at 8:42 am
We’ve seen this stand and been wanting to try it and your review was the push to final do so. This place is simply amazing!
June 6th, 2008 at 1:19 pm
Andrew, do you know of any place in town that serves cabrito?
June 6th, 2008 at 6:07 pm
Unfortunately no. The only goat I have found in town is at Indian and middle eastern restaurants. And the only place I have seen Monterrey style cooking is at El Pollo Regio (formerly El Regio Loco). You can read my review of their chicken.
June 7th, 2008 at 12:30 am
kurt, I am guessing from Andrew’s comment that cabrito is goat. The El Parian on Broadway just South of 2nd street in Edmond serves a goat dish. I have not had it because I don’t have a taste for goat meat. But the Parian is a great Mexican Food find. They have a great selection on their menu and everything I have had there has been great. Check it out!
June 7th, 2008 at 1:13 am
Thanks Ryan! I’ve eaten there, but it’s been quite a while ago. I’ll check it out again. Cabrito means “little goat” or baby goat. Chiva means adult goat (I think). I had goat tacos in Tulsa at a place called Cancun and they were very tasty.
July 11th, 2008 at 10:35 am
This one is gone from 23rd & Ann Arbor.
I found out from a restaurant manager friend that traveling food vendors have to renew their license regularly (monthly?),and are limited on how many times per location. If anyone sees where this taco truck relocated, let us know~
September 18th, 2008 at 4:03 pm
They are back at 23rd & Ann Arbor!
have a regular line of 4-8 people waiting everytime I drive by.
I always get 2 tacos Al Pastor “with everything”
as it comes with a foil bundle of spicy carrots, onions, jalapeno & lime to squeeze = $2.00 !
I love this place!
November 3rd, 2008 at 1:48 am
whe are very happy to go an eat at taqueria sanchez the new location is 4011 nw 10th street oklahoma city, ok 73107 between portland and meridian.
Please tell us what you think.