Zaida’s Kitchen

Zaida’s Kitchen food truck brings the authentic flavors of Oaxacan cuisine to the hustle and bustle of the Saturday morning farmers’ market in downtown Palo Alto. With an entirely gluten-free menu, the food truck serves unique dishes from their Mole De La Casa ($20-$22), a traditional, velvety, and thick sauce frequently used in Mexican cuisine, to their Mexican Wedding Cookies ($3), a tender butter cookie made with nuts and sprinkled with powdered sugar. 

Super Burrito ($16) — a thick, soft, fresh-pressed corn tortilla encases a delicious combination of rice, beans, cheese, sour cream, guacamole and your choice of protein. Although the burrito is packed with flavor, the ratio of tortilla to filling is occasionally skewed, with some bites consisting of only tortilla.

Tostada ($17) – Sometimes referred to as the “Mexican pizza,” the tostada is one of the most popular items on the menu. A handmade corn tortilla is toasted over a comal until crunchy, then topped with black bean puree, toasted avocado leaves, queso fresco, tomatoes, avocado and your choice of protein. The fresh-pressed tortilla delivers a satisfying first-bite crunch, while each topping brings an authentic and unique flavor. The carnitas are perfectly spiced, and the black bean spread adds a rich, velvety touch that ties the dish together.

Mamacitas! 

Mamacitas! Food Truck brings bold and flavorful Mexican street food to the heart of Mountain View, delivering a taste of tradition in every bite. Located in the parking lot next to the Mountain View Target, this colorful truck is hard to miss and a go-to for locals in the area. 

The Birria Taco ($11.95) was a standout on their menu – a crispy, cheesy, and flavor-packed taco filled with tender, juicy beef. Dunked into a side of warm consommé, it was apparent why this is a customer favorite. Every bite of this was balanced, with no ingredient overpowering the other. 

The Super Taco ($4.50) has a lot of potential; however, it fell short in execution. It was generously filled with well-seasoned al pastor meat, but it was difficult to eat, and the overload of sauces made the crispy taco soggy. While the combination of the ingredients was delicious, the textures made it harder to enjoy. 

 Mamacitas! is a great food truck for anyone craving hearty, flavorful and affordable Mexican street food. The quality of the ingredients and its bold, authentic dishes make it a worthwhile stop. Whether grabbing a quick bite or indulging in a large lunch, you will likely find something satisfying here. 

Petra’s Kitchen

Located in a quiet parking lot at the corner of San Antonio Road and California Street in Mountain View, Petra’s Kitchen is immediately recognizable, painted to resemble the flag of France. The truck is an amalgamation of cultural symbols, with a Buddha statue wearing an evil eye necklace at the checkout window and a menu ranging from traditional Mexican entrees to French desserts to American classics. 

Founded three years ago as a family business, Petra’s Kitchen’s menu is expansive, and picking just one meal can be difficult. Overall, while Petra’s Kitchen’s vast options are appealing to some, the execution of their menu is a hit or miss. The food was slow to come out but can be ordered either in person at the truck or online, and the staff is very friendly and welcoming to customers. 

The burrito ($12) — one of their most popular menu items, the burrito is highly customizable with seven protein options to choose from, mirroring the vast options of the menu. Despite the generous portion for the price, the burrito al pastor was lacking in flavor and texture, as the pork was not very tender and tasted slightly metallic. The salsa, pinto beans and rice were far superior to the pork, with a pleasant spice level that salvaged the bite from the sub-par meat and complimented the lettuce and sour cream. 

The crepes ($12) — In contrast, the crepes were a standout dish — containing Nutella, strawberries and bananas; the classic combination of flavors was perfectly balanced and filling. The fruit was perfectly ripe and was complimented nicely with whipped cream, creating a pleasant dish. 

Pav Bhaji and More

A bright red truck and rich, spicy aroma are in stark contrast to the adjacent gas station and parking lot. Pav Bhaji and More is an entirely vegan, affordable, authentic Indian food truck located roughly half an hour from Paly driving or 45 minutes on bike in Sunnyvale West. Pricing is surprisingly reasonable, with most meals ranging from $5.99 to $11.99, not including the eight percent discount for cash purchases. The staff is friendly and helpful, though there may be a minor language barrier for those who do not speak Hindi.

Amul Pav Bhaji ($11.99): A viscous vegetable curry with a punch paired with Amul butter, onion, lime and cilantro and served alongside Masala Pav (bread rolls). The curry’s powerful, slightly tangy and barely spicy flavors resemble comforting home cooking. While plain on its own, the Masala Pav balances out the strong spices in the curry and has a splendid crispy and soft texture for dipping. 

Tandoori Vada Pav ($6.99): While the tan vegetable patty, white bread roll, tandoori sauce and roasted green chili pepper may appear bland, the flavors blend to create a pleasant, approachable dish. The center of the dish, a deep-fried potato patty, has a smooth texture          and contains most of the star qualities in this dish. The chef’s special tandoori sauce is a less vibrant orange than most tandoori sauces, which is reflected in its flavor palette similar to that of a shy aioli. The untoasted bread is a dry, unimpressive addition, only slightly redeemed texture-wise by the chef’s special tandoori sauce. The smallest component is the most deadly — beware the green pepper unless you want intense spice. 

Amrutulya Chai ($3.99): Light, delicate and sweet, the Amrutulya Chai is perfect for people who prefer a subtle spice mix without it tasting diluted, flat or overly sweet. The name hints at the notable qualities of the tea: “Masala” means “spices” in Hindi, while “Amrutulya” is a Marathi term translating to “comparable to nectar.” Compared to Masala Chai, commonly found in Indian restaurants around the Bay Area, this tea is sweet but not cloying. It has a more subtle spice profile, containing more cumin and less of other typical flavors like ginger and star anise.