Tacos Bring Out The Fightin’ Side Of Los Angeles

Some Los Angelenos are up in arms about a New York Times story from Los Angeles bureau chief Jennifer Steinhauer on the new restrictions for L.A. taco trucks that go into effect next week. According L.A. blog Metromix, (and with some corner thrown from Defamer) Steinhauer paints Los Angelenos as an apathetic bunch who are only now getting their panties in a wad over the very real possibility that their carne asada will soon not be within arms reach:

In drawing upon predictable stereotypes, Steinhauer presumes that food is not in itself political. While we stupid Angelenos fail to notice real issues like architectural blights on our skyline or the mismanagement of municipal funds, the food-obsessed have rallied around something as inconsequential as taco “carts.”

Wah, wah, wah, etc, and some more stuff about how taco trucks are a bridge for an otherwise isolated group of people. Look, LA, don’t worry about defending your Mexican food to New York. It’s like defending sex to a virgin. They have no idea what you’re talking about because the Mexican food here is like the devil’s quacha. And not in a good way. And New Yorkers, don’t write in and tell us about the taco trucks on Roosevelt Avenue in Queens or the taquerias in that neighborhood, either. Or Tacos Sobre Ruedas on 96th and Broadway (shout out, boys, but you still suck compared to Texas) or the vile Mexican deli on 13th and A. We’ve tried them all. New York is just jealous. Or clueless. LA, get out and fight for your tacos. Nothing. Is. More. Important.

In Taco Truck Battle, Mild Angelenos Turn Hot [New York Times]
This Angeleno ain’t so mild [Metromix via]
Save Our Taco Trucks [Website]