El Taco Bike

El Taco Bike is the street eats version of La Calle restaurant.  He's cleverly figured out how to get a steam tray kitchen, a drinks cooler, a condiments rack, and a trash can on a bike he can actually pedal.  The Lucha Libre mask is an added bonus.  The food always smells wonderful and the lines are steady wherever he shows up.

ABC Wednesday: B is for Bites on Broadway

Every Friday evening food trucks gathered at Broadway and 45th St. to offer their goodies for sale.  The organizer wanted to do something to foster a greater sense of community and bring traffic up to this end of Broadway.  She provided picnic blankets, hula hoops and bean bag toss games, and plenty of trash and recycle cans.  The turnout has been good and the vibe mellow.  Until someone complained.  The police came and shut down the operation.  The promoter stayed positive, negotiated with the city, found a new location further down 45th, and renamed the event Bites Off Broadway.  The first Friday at the new location they had 300+ people show up.  Fingers crossed it continues to prosper.  For more "B" pictures, visit ABC Wednesday.

Monday mural: El ojo de agua

Taco trucks abound in Oakland and everyone has their favorite.  Not only are they rolling kitchens, they sometimes are rolling murals.  A moveable (visual) feast.

frutas frescas

These fruit carts can be found on every other street corner in the Fruitvale District, a primarily Latino community.  They sell baggies of fruit including mango, watermelon, pineapple and cantaloupe.  Add a squeeze of lime and a dash of chili or tabasco and you're good to go.

100 Strangers: The Tamale Queen

Meet Maria the Tamale Queen.  She and her assistant turned out to feed the crowds at the recent Preview Sale for the White Elephant Sale.  Held in a 96,000 sq. ft. warehouse, this is an annual event that raises money for the Oakland Museum and is now in its 51st year.  With all volunteer help and all donated goods, last year we raised more than $1.3 million to support the museum, (which is currently being renovated and will reopen May 1).  The big sale is always the first weekend in March.  If you're in town, come on by.  Entrance is free.  Believe me, you'll be amazed at the sheer volume of goods for sale and the bargain prices.  You'll probably see Maria too.  She told me she's been coming every year for the last ten years.  I can vouch for her tamales; they are muy sabrosos.

street eats

Taco trucks like this dot many corners in East Oakland, especially on International Blvd.  For a buck and a quarter you get a tasty taco with radishes and pickled carrots on the side.  Crowds gather at lunch time.  This truck claims to be the first (1985) in Oakland.  After taking this photo I was feeling a little peckish.  My taco de carne asada was very tasty.