In The Belly……a look at local food
By Amy Sabbatini-Bearden / Mineral Wells Area News
For nine years, Alondra Sanchez fed the construction workers building the multi-million dollar residential and resort developments on Possum Kingdom Lake. Countless houses and condos were built in that time span in the communities now known as The Ranch and The Harbor. Here Sanchez spent six days a week in her simple red trailer, feeding workers and other locals.
Taqueria La Victoria’s, the name inscribed on Sanchez’ food trailer, daily dishes were so delicious that when the construction of the developments was finally complete, she had such a local following she had to set up shop in a more public location.
For two years now, six days a week, you can find Sanchez making her custom burritos, tacos, and other authentic items in a parking lot on FM 2353 at PK Lake. Her menu is extensive in taqueria fare and everything, and I mean everything is made fresh by her hands daily. It doesn’t get any more authentic. You can have anything made just the way you want it. Eggs or no eggs. Onions or not. Cheese or no cheese….whatever your heart’s desire. And come hungry or plan on having leftovers as Sanchez’ fresh tortillas are at least 12 inches and will fill you up.
I chatted her up, and even with a limited language barrier, I learned she started in a kitchen in Dallas where she worked for 8 years before she moved to Graham to be closer to her family. We didn’t communicate well but I could certainly feel her love for her food. Besides, who needs to communicate when the food is doing the talking anyway?
The brisket was perfect, the carnitas flavorful and the steak tender. (And yes for those counting, that’s three burritos I’ve had in my Staycation at Possum Kingdom Lake this week…Tomorrow I’m going for the “pollo” as my fourth.)
Sanchez certainly has aspirations. “I once looked at opening a restaurant in Mineral Wells but when I talked to the man it was too expensive,” she said.
Speaking of money, Sanchez surely is doing this out of a labor of love considering the price she is charging for her menu items. Consider yourself lucky if you discovered this Taqueria before the recent price hike. They are up from $2 to a whole $3! Obviously I kid, because this gourmet monstrosity would be $6-7 easily in the city.
So people keep asking for the address of this hidden little gem Taqueria La Victoria and the truth is there really isn’t one. But here is where you can find it….It’s in a parking lot just North of a business called Custom Stone Work and Rockyard at 300 FM 2353. Look for the little red trailer and a line everyday except Sunday, from 7am-2pm. You won’t be disappointed with In My Belly!
