A Maryland senior is starting his own food truck business in Takoma Park and plans to sell healthy tacos at affordable prices.
Aaron Simon, a 25-year-old supply chain management major, is set to open his truck in the Liberty Gas Station parking lot by the end of May. Simon invested over $17,000 in Tako Mas Tacos so far, a play on the town’s name that can be pronounced “Takoma’s Tacos.”
He bought the truck in October and spent the following months preparing it to open, securing permits, and negotiating a lease on Liberty’s lot.
The menu includes tacos and quesadillas that will be made from corn tortillas, and burritos made from flour tortillas. Customers can choose between ground beef, chicken, pulled pork, and fish for the main ingredient in their meal. He will also sell falafels, a Mediterranean dish made from ground chickpeas served on pita bread and topped with vegetables.
Simon thinks his fish tacos, made using tilapia, and falafels will be the biggest draws to his truck, calling them “healthy choices.” However, two students agree that they would not buy tacos from a food truck in any circumstance, even though they both like tacos. “Food trucks are just sketchy,” said sophomore Kristen Roberts.
Junior Larry Laynburd said he does not like fish tacos, while Roberts has never had one. Laynburd would buy falafel from a food truck, he said.
All tacos and quesadillas will be one for $3, two for $5, and three for $7, with the option of making the meal a platter for $2 more. Platters come with rice and beans or a salad.
Laynburd said $3 is too much for one taco adding, “There are better places for tacos, like Taco Bell.”