That reminds me, there’s a local taco truck that doesn’t even have a kitchen setup in the truck. The truck carries a tent and a portable grill, that they set up next to the truck. The only thing on the menu is tacos wrapped in a double-layer soft corn tortilla, with your choice of three proteins (IIRC, pork, chicken, or black beans), and then you add your choice of toppings. And, as you might guess from a setup like that, they’re amazing.
Boy, did you shake loose some memories of a CAB and plate of taquitos from Alberto’s on Convoy! Breakfast (or lunch or dinner) of champions!
Roberto’s on Voltaire in OB is one of the first restaurants I can remember eating at as a very little kid. (The Jack in the Box across the street is the other.) Roberto’s and their imitators were the number one thing I missed when I moved to the Pacific Northwest in 2004, and I was absolutely over the moon when we started getting ‘Bertos knockoffs up here - first a place in Renton with the unimaginative name of “California Burrito”, located in a building that CLEARLY used to be a Taco Bell in the ‘90s, that I literally did a spit-take when I discovered it while stopping at the McDonald’s next door for a post-concert pit stop in 2012, then a place called Memo’s in south Tacoma in 2013, then a place of our own here in Olympia just before covid hit. (Ours is called Aliberto’s Jr. I don’t know who Aliberto Sr. is, but he must have been good people.)
The enchilada sauce seems a little different, and they have stuff like mulitas and beef birria that I don’t ever remember seeing
Recently on my bus ride home at night, I’ve been seeing a place that sets up a canopy right next to the sidewalk in front of Hobby Lobby and sells tacos that they’re cooking on a portable grill, with some card tables as their counter. They only seem to open up after dark, I have no idea if they’re licensed, and when I asked about it on the local subreddit I got downvoted and yelled at for being a narc. I haven’t yet worked up the courage to get off the bus to try them out.
Which is the original ‘berto’s chain? I remember going to Alberto’s ca. 1980, but I don’t think Al was the first.
There was a coffee shop near me that’s long gone that always had albondigas as one of their soup selections. I always got a bowl or cup no matter what else I was ordering – hamburger, fried chicken, pot pie??? I love albondigas.
They’re available here in Los Angeles, but they’re seasonal.
I always get the Hollenbeck, too!
There’s a place not far from me that makes fantastic Bistec a la Mexicana. That has to be my favorite accompanied, of course, by some top flight margaritas.
Roberto’s was the original. Roberto Robledo started opening Mexican restaurants in the ‘60s, and the first one to carry the Roberto’s name was on Highland in National City. Alberto’s was the first spinoff.
I remember when El Chico was the only local option. We had several in Arkansas.
I think the Texarkana and Little Rock locations are still open. I used to go for my birthday. I haven’t gone in at least 10 years. El Chio has a party room that can be booked.
I usually ordered Mama’s Favorite Enchilada Dinner. A platter with a beef and a cheese enchilada, rice and refried beans.
How could you not? I’ve heard that all of their food is incredible, but I’ll never know. 
And I don’t have the guts to get a Manuel’s Special.
For those who don’t know, El Tepeyac is one of the most famous Mexican Restaurants in Los Angeles and often has a line wrapped around the block. It’s been there since 1942, and I’ve been going since 1969, when I was three.
Asada Burrito, Wet Red, Covered (sour cream, Guacamole, Pico)
On somebody else’s expense account
A brief story from decades ago: I’m at work but can’t bicycle home due to supercell t-storms, tornado warnings, damaging hail - Alabama in the spring/fall. I usually leave at 3pm but it’s now 5pm and I’m sitting surfing the internet for a weather break. Susan (never Sue/Susie if you know what’s good for you) stops by and asks if I want to go get some Mexican waiting for the weather. Sure, I’m in her lunch bitch and gossip group. She’s smart, funny, good looking. She gets us an 2-person alcove at the Mexican place over on Memorial Dr. A big margherita goblet each, I don’t remember the food. She starts on a second drink that I need to share for semi-sober purposes.
We discover: The boyfriend she announced she was seeing to dispel rumors became an ‘owning’ monster that same day two years ago, It was immediately over and she started therapy. I’m divorced amicably but still do some public things with my ex. On the drive back to work, she asks if we can stop at her place for an errand. I left the next morning just before noon.
Susan doesn’t want a relationship … but … once a month or so I’ll get an email:
Susan: How about Mexican tonight?
Me: The whole enchilada?
Susan: Yes
So I guess my favorite dinner is enchilada (shredded chicken).
It would be mine for sure. Go Susan!
I used to rethink my order almost immediately after placing it. Now I just get Molcajete Mixto and have enough bases covered that I’m typically pretty happy.
Oh, and I forgot to mention, if I’m having dinner at my friend’s house. I’m hoping the dinner is discada tacos. Bacon, sausage, chorizo, pork, steak, peppers, onions, tomatoes and plenty of spices. I’ve never seen it in a restaurant, but it is heavenly.
A pretty good example recipe: