Fresno boasts rich taco culture
In the city of Fresno, tacos aren't just a quick and easy lunchtime option. Tacos are a way of life.
For ample proof of this sentiment, one only needs to pay a visit to the Fresno Grizzlies annual "Taco Truck Throwdown" promotion, which began in 2011 as a collaboration between the team and Fresno sportswriter and taco impresario Mike Oz (currently a writer for Yahoo!'s "Big League Stew" blog).
The premise behind the Throwdown is simple: vehicular taco purveyors from throughout the Fresno area set up shop at Chukchansi Park, and the team sells ticket packages that include taco vouchers and a "Throwdown" T-shirt. After ample taste-testing, both fans and a panel of experts vote for their favorite, and that year's taco champions are then crowned (2013's "People's Choice" winner, somewhat controversial in its deviation from the norm, was a gourmet duck taco offered by the Dusty Buns Bistro).
This year's iteration of the Taco Truck Throwdown took place on Aug. 1, with a crowd of 13,394 sampling 21,464 tacos from 13 trucks. One week later, with the taco buzz still lingering, I visited Fresno as part of a West Coast Minor League road trip, and my primary order of business was to get the lowdown on the Throwdown. First I spoke with Grizzlies graphic designer Sam Hansen, who plays a key role in organizing the event. Highlights from our conversation follow.
Farm's Almanac
The Week That Was
D-Cubs no-hit D-Jays
Daytona's Kyler Burke helped the Cubs no-hit Dunedin for the second time this season.
M's promote Walker
Mariners top prospect Taijuan Walker was promoted and will make his big league debut Aug. 30.
Smith K's 11
Marlins prospect Chipper Smith struck out 11 in a one-hitter for Class A Greensboro.
On Deck
Kemp in Rancho
Dodgers slugger Matt Kemp (ankle) will continue his rehab with the Quakes through Aug. 31.
Knights say adios
The Charlotte Knights wave goodbye to Knights Stadium when they play their final home game Sept. 2.
Buchholz joins PawSox
Red Sox starter Clay Buchholz is expected to make a rehab start for Pawtucket on Aug. 30.
And then? Then Hansen, Grizzlies media relations coordinator Chris Kutz and I paid on-site visits to three of this year's "Throwdown" competitors. As you shall soon see, it was a delicious way to spend an afternoon.
MiLB.com: The "Throwdown" is an important promotion for the Grizzlies because tacos are so important to Fresno. Can you tell me a little bit about the city's taco history?
Sam Hansen: There is a lot of evidence to prove that taco trucks were invented in the Fresno area. They were originally "lunchero" trucks, which provided food for the migrant workers who were picking the produce that is produced in this area. [California's Central Valley] is one of the largest agricultural regions in the world, and from the necessity of having Hispanic food delivered to these migrant workers, the lunchero truck was invented.
From there, the luncheros evolved into the taco trucks you see today. Some are located in the city and some are still out in the rural migrant areas like they were 50 or 60 years ago.
MiLB.com: The taco trucks are so deep-rooted here; everybody seems to have their favorite.
Hansen: All walks of life here in Central California eat Mexican food, with that being so rooted into our culture. Each little community around Fresno, be it Sanger or Selma, has that truck that is revered in their area as the truck to go to. Others will come and go, but it's survival of the fittest. Whoever has the best food usually remains, while the other ones drive off and find another location.
MiLB.com: So how did this lead to the Grizzlies staging a "Taco Truck Throwdown"?
Hansen: We wanted to bring a diverse mix of trucks here to the stadium, a taco smorgasbord. It was really popular the first year -- we had eight trucks. The second year we had 13 trucks. It blew up as part of [Fresno's] food truck craze, but that's not why we did it. We did it to pay homage to the Central California taco and the trucks that serve them.
[Aug. 1's "Taco Truck Throwdown"] was our second-biggest draw this year, we had almost 14,000 in attendance and sold 21,000 tacos. Some of that might be based on food trucks becoming trendy, but the majority of it is people from the Central California area and their love of their heritage.
MiLB.com: So what makes a particular taco stand out above the rest?
Hansen: Everyone has their opinions, and that's the beauty of it. You get to experience a wide diversity of all the different types of tacos that we have here. My personal opinion is that I like a lot of asada, a lot of lime, a lot of citrus, and a nice fresh homemade tortilla.
As mentioned, the 2013 iteration of the Taco Truck Throwdown featured 13 trucks. Here is a brief overview of my visit to three of them, and please keep in mind that the verdict in question is being delivered by an East Coast-based taco truck amateur. I did my best.
Name: La Acapulquenas
Location: Parking lot of an industrial area located south of downtown Fresno, at intersection of Jensen Avenue and Golden State Highway
Verdict: The homemade corn tortillas won't fall apart on you, as they are remarkably firm and almost crunchy in texture. The adobado (pork) was marinated in a sweet and savory red sauce, while the asada was tender if a bit on the bland side. A layer of cabbage added crispness and contrast to both, and each order of tacos came with half a lime and one whole hot pepper. A great mix of flavors, presented with care.
Name: Taqueria Los Toritos
Location: Selma, Calif. (south of Fresno), at intersection of E. Mountain View Avenue and Highway 99
Verdict: Hansen informed me that this place is owned by a man named Jesus, who's "got the asada on lockdown. Everybody bows down to him." Jesus wasn't there when we stopped by, but his magic touch was apparent. The tacos come out of the truck simply as meat on a tortilla, which can then be customized at an adjacent fixings bar, and the meat really and truly is spectacular. I got two asada and one tripe, and both were perfectly salted, a little spicy, a little crunchy and positively addicting. Highest recommendation!
Name: Tacos El Palmar
Location: East Fresno, at intersection of Butler and Cedar
Verdict: This truck boasted a pleasing yellow and blue color scheme that recalled '80s-era Milwaukee Brewers uniforms, and the tacos -- served by those hailing from the northwestern Mexico state of Sinaloa -- were accompanied by radish, lemon and a salt packet. The presentation was impeccable, but I took a gamble and ordered my first-ever "lengua" taco (as in, beef tongue). I found it to be tough, flavorless, and hard to digest, but I'm not holding that against Tacos El Palmar. I just think that I was a little too adventurous in my taco selection. Next time, I'm holding the tongue.
Benjamin Hill is a reporter for MiLB.com and writes Ben's Biz Blog. Follow Ben on Twitter @bensbiz.
MiLB podcast discusses Anthony, Caglianone at Triple-A
Check out the latest episodes of The Show Before the Show, MiLB.com's official podcast. A segment rundown is listed below, in case you want to skip to a particular section. Like the podcast? Subscribe, rate and review on Apple Podcasts. The podcast is also available via Spotify, Megaphone and other
These are the greatest Minor League promos happening in June
Benjamin Hill travels the nation collecting stories about what makes Minor League Baseball unique. This excerpt from the Baseball Traveler newsletter, presented by Circle K, is a mere taste of the smorgasbord of delights he offers every week. Read the full newsletter here, and subscribe to his newsletter here.
New playoff format coming to 2025 Dominican Summer League
Minor League Baseball announced the 2025 Dominican Summer League (DSL) season will begin June 2 with Opening Day festivities taking place at the Boston Red Sox Academy in Guerra. The 2025 campaign will also see the introduction of the DSL Cup, a new playoff format that will see 16 DSL
Debating best Minor League home caps on podcast
Check out the latest episodes of The Show Before the Show, MiLB.com's official podcast. A segment rundown is listed below, in case you want to skip to a particular section. Like the podcast? Subscribe, rate and review on Apple Podcasts. The podcast is also available via Spotify, Megaphone and other
The Omaha Storm Chasers' 'Take Meow-t' cat night included a Litter Box Sundae
Benjamin Hill travels the nation collecting stories about what makes Minor League Baseball unique. This excerpt from the Baseball Traveler newsletter, presented by Circle K, is a mere taste of the smorgasbord of delights he offers every week. Read the full newsletter here, and subscribe to his newsletter here.
Boston's Triple-A affiliate throws birthday bash for Roman Anthony
With all the hype that has surrounded Roman Anthony over the past two seasons, it’s easy to forget how young he really is. MLB's No. 1 prospect played 70 games at the highest level of the Minors before he could order a beer. But he can now. Roman Anthony turned
Friendly foes, 2024 first-rounders Moore and Caglianone trade first Triple-A homers
For years, Christian Moore and Jac Caglianone laced up their cleats against one another in the SEC. A rivalry that spanned Florida, Tennessee and other landmarks across the South moved to Salt Lake City this week as the Royals and Angels' top prospects got simultaneous Triple-A promotions. So it was
Phillies' Moore, Fausnaught join MiLB podcast
Check out the latest episodes of The Show Before the Show, MiLB.com's official podcast. A segment rundown is listed below, in case you want to skip to a particular section. Like the podcast? Subscribe, rate and review on Apple Podcasts. The podcast is also available via Spotify, Megaphone and other
Red Sox prospect rips double THROUGH Fenway-esque scoreboard
Red Sox No. 4 prospect Franklin Arias, an infielder for High-A Greenville, REALLY didn’t want to let visiting Asheville score any runs in the top of the eighth inning on Friday night. With runners on first and second base in the bottom of the fourth, Arias showed he apparently held
April's hottest hitting prospects -- one for each organization
The Minor League season is a month old and several of the game's best hitting prospects are off to fast starts. Red Sox outfielder Roman Anthony is tearing up Triple-A (just like he did at the end of last year), Padres shortstop Leo De Vries is leading the High-A Midwest
Check out the best -- and wackiest -- Minor League promos happening in May
Benjamin Hill travels the nation collecting stories about what makes Minor League Baseball unique. This excerpt from the Baseball Traveler newsletter, presented by Circle K, is a mere taste of the smorgasbord of delights he offers every week. Read the full newsletter here, and subscribe to his newsletter here.
Orioles' Honeycutt joins The Show Before the Show
Check out the latest episodes of The Show Before the Show, MiLB.com's official podcast. A segment rundown is listed below, in case you want to skip to a particular section. Like the podcast? Subscribe, rate and review on Apple Podcasts. The podcast is also available via Spotify, Megaphone and other
MiLB podcast coming LIVE to a Somerset this June
Check out the latest episodes of The Show Before the Show, MiLB.com's official podcast. A segment rundown is listed below, in case you want to skip to a particular section. Like the podcast? Subscribe, rate and review on Apple Podcasts. The podcast is also available via Spotify, Megaphone and other
New ballparks highlight 2025 MiLB road trip stops
Benjamin Hill travels the nation collecting stories about what makes Minor League Baseball unique. This excerpt from the Baseball Traveler newsletter, presented by Circle K, is a mere taste of the smorgasbord of delights he offers every week. Read the full newsletter here, and subscribe to his newsletter here.
Minor League Baseball partners with TruGreen
FRANKLIN, Tenn. -- TruGreen, the nation's leading lawn care treatment provider, is proud to announce a groundbreaking partnership with Minor League Baseball that includes activations across all 120 clubs, a makeover of the home dugout in each market, sponsorship of select MiLB team grounds crews, and a new initiative called
Podcast explains why the Syracuse Mets are looking for Jim Morrison
Check out the latest episodes of The Show Before the Show, MiLB.com's official podcast. A segment rundown is listed below, in case you want to skip to a particular section. Like the podcast? Subscribe, rate and review on Apple Podcasts. The podcast is also available via Spotify, Megaphone and other
Dash im-prom-tu promo and Mets' Suero joins the podcast
Check out the latest episodes of The Show Before the Show, MiLB.com's official podcast. A segment rundown is listed below, in case you want to skip to a particular section. Like the podcast? Subscribe, rate and review on Apple Podcasts. The podcast is also available via Spotify, Megaphone and other
Minor League Baseball partners with Circle K
Minor League Baseball announced a new national partnership with Circle K, which will see the convenience store giant become the “Official Convenience Store of Minor League Baseball.” During the 2025 season, the Circle K brand will be integrated into the MiLB in-stadium experience through in-game video board assets at most
These 15 moments led to season No. 15 of Minor League road trips
Benjamin Hill travels the nation collecting stories about what makes Minor League Baseball unique. This excerpt from his newsletter is a mere taste of the smorgasbord of delights he offers every week. Read the full newsletter here, and subscribe to his newsletter here.
MiLB podcast crew makes Opening Day predictions
Check out the latest episodes of The Show Before the Show, MiLB.com's official podcast. A segment rundown is listed below, in case you want to skip to a particular section. Like the podcast? Subscribe, rate and review on Apple Podcasts. The podcast is also available via Spotify, Megaphone and other
Everything you need to know for Triple-A Opening Day
First, there was big league Opening Day. Now it's Triple-A's turn to take the spotlight. The Minor League season opens Friday when the Triple-A International League and Pacific Coast League seasons get underway for the first of MiLB’s two Opening Days. And right out of the gates, several of baseball's
Top prospects to watch at Triple-A -- one for each organization
It’s Triple-A’s turn up to bat on Friday. The regular season begins for the Minor Leagues’ highest level one day after the action starts on the Major League side. Fun fact: it’ll be the earliest start to a Minor League season since 1951 (March 27). Double-A, High-A and Single-A will
Here's where every Top 100 prospect is expected to start the season
The 2025 Opening Day prospect roster announcements began last week when the Cubs informed Matt Shaw (MLB No. 19) he was making the trip overseas to compete in the Tokyo Series. Roki Sasaki (No. 1) also received the good news, but his assignment was much less of a surprise. Now
Nationals prospect King joins MiLB podcast
Check out the latest episodes of The Show Before the Show, MiLB.com's official podcast. A segment rundown is listed below, in case you want to skip to a particular section. Like the podcast? Subscribe, rate and review on Apple Podcasts. The podcast is also available via Spotify, Megaphone and other
Here are the 2025 All-Spring Breakout Teams
Fifteen games, several jersey swaps and countless highlights later, the second edition of Spring Breakout has officially concluded – and it lived up to its billing. Of the 16 contests sprinkled across four days, only one game (Dodgers vs. Cubs) was rained out. Coincidentally, the Cubs were one of two