There are almost 50—five-zero, cincuenta—taco spots in Kansas City, Kansas. They’re so well-regarded that the Red Machine Party Bus chooses four taquerias by the spin of a wheel, then takes taco lovers on themed tours of the KCK Taco Trail every Tuesday.
On March 18, the Red Machine took a group of taco-ready Kansas Citians (and hosted a few taco-ready media members, who know they are lucky) on a carnitas tacos tour of KCK. Carnitas is a fatty pork dish that can be simmered, braised, slow-cooked—seemingly any method to make it tender.
Everyone met in the lobby of the Hilton Garden Inn, greeted El Dotte (he’s a smiling, human-sized taco), and checked in with Mark Coronado, the driver and co-owner of Red Machine Party Bus.
We said goodbye to El Dotte, hopped onto the comfortable party bus, grabbed some complimentary drinks, and set off for a few hours of fun.
Note: You only get one free taco per spot. If you show up hungry, you can grab additional food at any stop.
Tarahumaras Mexican Restaurant #2
The first stop was just a few minutes away: Tarahumaras Mexican Restaurant #2, a little Chihuahuan spot on North 6th Street with comfy colors and decor. It’s just big enough for a handful of tables.
Like all the restaurants on the tour, Tarahumaras was expecting us and had the tacos ready (or coming right up). The meat was thick and tender, the tortillas were weighty and flavorful, and the hot sauce was hot. There was a milder option, but if you have a choice on your first restaurant, why not set the tone? One down.
A & J Molcajete
We got back on the bus and rode about eight minutes west down residential streets, past Iglesia Misionera El Verbo de Dios, a beautiful church, and west on State Avenue. We hopped out and popped into A & J Molcajete, a spot brimming with friendliness. It’s small, too—a bench, a checkout counter, and a rectangular dining space around the corner.
The meat was chopped a bit finer this time—a trend that continued with each restaurant, until it was basically minced at El Torrito Grill—and several guests raved about how juicy it was. The sauce came on the side, and it was a well-timed milder take on the carnitas taco after a bold start.
Tacos El Tio
Then came Tacos El Tio, another short drive. On the outside, it’s just trying to stay out of 10th Street’s way; inside, it’s bright and fun—another rectangular dining room with a wholly new vibe.
Tacos El Tio had a banger tortilla and a trio of sauce options: an avocado sauce, a mild chili sauce, and a hot chili sauce that humbled anybody feeling too confident. It was a fun place to chill and chat with Coronado, a Westside native who’s planning a “Border War” taco tour—two stops in KCMO and two stops in KCK, the stomping grounds of the co-owner, Robert Galacia.
At this point, everyone on the tour seemed to be retreating into a taco cocoon. Four tacos isn’t nothing.
El Torito Grill
The sun was going down by the time the bus hit the road again. The final destination—the spiffy El Torito Grill—came in clutch with a long, lighted patio.
The sauces at El Torrito stole the show, with a thin avocado sauce and a flavorful red chili sauce standing out. The quesabirrias, which weren’t included but were inevitable, are a unique flavor worth trying. They are tiny birria quesadillas with broth to dip in.
The guests chatted about their favorites and recommended other restaurants around town. Coronado explained that his company started as a personal Chiefs-fan bus trip to a Kansas City tailgate in Denver. The voyage was picked up by news outlets, and today they take paying customers to an Arrowhead tailgate for around $50. They also do bachelorette parties, KC Current fan transport, and more—including, of course, the KCK Taco Trail on Tuesdays.
The sun’s last light fell, and the bus completed the loop to the Hilton Garden Inn. Everyone was full and happy. Somewhere, El Dotte smiled.