Antojitos Laredo
Bancroft St. and Ashland Ave.
419-779-3881
Open Tuesday-Saturday, noon-9pm
Before Antojitos Laredo came around, the area surrounding Bancroft and Ashland had little in the way of Mexican cuisine, and not much fast food either. That's why owner Beatrice Lopez decided to open a tamale, taco and burrito cart two months ago where the Old West End and Uptown meet. And with cheap prices — $2 burritos, $1.50 tacos, 12 tamales for $9 — and a simple, yet diverse selection — beef, pork, chicken and seven toppings — we might have another San Marcos on our hands. (There are hopes to turn it into a restaurant.) —SR
Po Mo’s Ribs
1312 W. Bancroft St. (between Detroit and Auburn)
419-467-8562
Open Thursday-Sunday, 11am-7pm
(closes when food is sold-out)
“You can’t beat my meat,” says Morris Stanley, owner of Po Mo’s Ribs. An avid griller, Stanley opened his food truck over 15 years ago to help pay for his daughter’s college. Po Mo’s tasty ribs, chicken and turkey come with mild or hot barbeque sauce and can be paired with sides like baked bean and potato salad. The truck always sells out, and often travels to area festivals and events like Jazz in the Garden, so try to get there early. And watch out — the hot sauce is actually fiery! —KN
Mr. Bill’s Famous BBQ
3527 Twining St. (at corner of Manhattan)
419-508-6977
Open daily, 10:30am-7pm (or until he runs out!)
Summer is the time for barbecue, and Toledoans are always looking for a new place to find those savory tastes. Longtime Toledo resident Bill Douglas has added his name to the list of those smokey and saucey providers with the launch of his mobile concession operation. Douglas has years of cooking experience from a life spent all over the country, but he’s brought his talents home to his new 7-by-20 foot trailer, where he cooks barbecued ribs and chicken, hot dogs and specials of the week like steak and pork loin. —MD
Gary’s Catering
Can be found in office parking lots at lunch,
like Burkett Restaurant Equipment
248-960-9100
www.garyscatering.com
The Wixom, Michigan food truck Gary’s Catering pops in around Toledo’s office parking lots by request with a tricked-out buffet wagon of breakfast burritos, chips, and even penne ranging from $2 to $6. Office and factory workers alike line up for the convenience of an afternoon fruit cup or to try the popular steak, egg and cheese burritos. There’s no charge to be on the route — it’s as simple as calling and asking her to stop by your office. And, like a Southern high school lunch lady, driver Beth Lawrence will ask if you “got all your fixins?” before she adds up your bill. Convenient and caring? Sign us up. —AO
J&J Tacos
Reynolds Rd. and Angola
419-514-4944
Open Tuesday-Saturday, 4-9:30pm
Owner Meno Fernandez claims to have the “best Mexican food in town,” and it’s hard to argue with him as you relish the tender shreds of barbacoa beef in one of his tacos. The retired Jeep worker had some free time and wanted to offer the food of his native Texas from the ease of a catering truck he bought on the internet. His delicious beef and pork tacos are listed on his menu for $2 each, although he’s more mysterious when it comes to sharing the recipes responsible for all that deliciousness. “Everybody has his secrets.” —AO
Bandit's Smokey Ribs
Corner of Reynolds Rd. and Kellog, in the Bailey's Pizza Co. parking lot
419-480-7575
Open Tuesday-Thursday, noon-8pm; Friday noon-10pm; every other Saturday noon-10pm
When Larry and Mary Brazzel opened Bandit's Smokey Ribs with the help of daughter Aahkeela a year ago, it was a bit like a dysfunctional family sitcom, the three of them crammed into the shiny interior of their food truck five days a week. They've since each claimed their territory, with Larry, aka Bandit, at the helm of the grill making their killer ribs, burgers and pulled pork sandwiches, while Mary and Aahkeela care for customers. "I cook with feeling," Brazzel says. "If you're gonna be in this business, you have to love what you do." —AO
