“We started with the trompo [vertical rotating spit] of pastor outside the food truck—it was very striking for people. It was like eating tacos in Mexico, and that’s what worked,” Velasquez said.
The taqueria opened about nine years ago, the day after Thanksgiving, starting with only tacos and burritos on the menu. Velasquez later added quesadillas, tortas and hamburgers.
Velasquez opened his first food truck in Los Angeles when he was 20. He later moved to Kyle and opened Tacos El Primo. Velasquez now has 25 years of experience in the taco industry.
For meat choices, Tacos El Primo offers asada, pastor, cabeza, lengua, buche and carnitas for tacos, tortas and quesadillas. The food truck also serves champurrado, a warm and thick Mexican beverage, in the winter months.
"I think the food is good, but we’re also a place where you can grab all you want. We don’t put a limit on how much salsa you can grab—and it’s free,” Velasquez added.
Today, Velasquez says he goes through 720 burrito tortillas and 6,000 taco tortillas per week. His original tacos together with the unlimited salsa and topping bar sets his business apart from his competitors, Velasquez said.
Once a year the food truck celebrates the Tacos El Primo anniversary as a way to give back to the customers who have kept him in business, Velasquez said. The anniversary is known for giving free tacos and drinks and raffling items from local businesses as well as catering service for 50 people from Tacos El Primo.
The taqueria is run only by family members, employing five people in total. Velasquez said he has plans to open a restaurant, and though he does not have a set date on when that will be, he says is in the process of getting it done.
“I’m very grateful for the people," Velasquez said of his customers. "I’m where I am because of them, and the day they stop coming, I’ll disappear."
Tacos El Primo
414 High Road, Kyle
512-287-1340
www.facebook.com/ParaTacosElPrimo
Hours: Sun.-Tue., Thu. 6:30 p.m.- midnight; Fri.-Sat. 6:30 p.m.-2 a.m.; closed Wed.
