Taco Reho food truck debuts near Rehoboth
- Taco Reho food truck opens in parking lot shared by Liquid and Big Chill Surf Cantina
- Truck offers tacos inspired by Mexico and southern California
- Hours are 5 p.m.-1 a.m. Monday, Wednesday-Saturday; 1 p.m.-1 a.m. Sunday
If Billy Lucas has his way, the next food trend at the Delaware beaches will be rolling in — literally.
Lucas is a co-owner of the first food truck to make its way to Coastal Delaware, Taco Reho, which opened last month. With the help of his buddy and Nage Restaurant owner Josh Grapski, Lucas has been setting up shop in the parking lot shared by Big Chill Surf Cantina and Liquid, just north of Rehoboth Beach.
The business venture is Lucas's latest project as he returns to the east coast after 10 years living in Los Angeles, which included a six-year stint as a tour caterer for musicians, including Drake, Michael Bublé, Jay-Z and Blink 182. He spent his childhood summers in Dewey Beach and he's no stranger to the local restaurant scene, with his resume including stints at Nage, Espuma, Fusion and even Grotto Pizza before he headed west.
Lucas wanted to bring traditional Mexican fare with some southern California-inspired nuances to his truck.
"I think Mexican food right now is the hottest food trend there is," he said. "It's finally getting its respect, I think, it truly deserves."
A corn tortilla made in-house on the day of service is the vessel of choice at Taco Reho, as that is what is used more in Latin America.
"Corn is natural, it tastes better, it's a little earthy, the structure of the tortilla holds up," he said. "It's just, I think, a better flavor experience."
These days, he and his assistant are making about 150 tortillas by hand per day, he said. And so far, much to his surprise, he hasn't received complaints about the corn tortilla, which is not frequently found in southern Delaware.
"Everyone loves tacos," he said. "They're easy, they're fun, they're affordable, they're delicious."
The menu features anywhere from five to 10 items and has been changing frequently, as Lucas learns what is well received by his customers. Popular picks in the first month of business include a short rib taco with arbol salsa, pickled red onion and cilantro, along with a thai mahi taco with carrot pickle and jalapeno crema, Lucas said.
The truck, itself, is a former Schmidt's bread truck which was purchased in Baltimore and outfitted in Delmar to suit Lucas's needs. He received it the day before he started service.
Inside the truck, the 18-by-7-foot kitchen area is equipped with a flat-top, stoves, an oven, a refrigerator and some shelving. Electrical outlets provide the opportunity to add electric appliances, such as a blender or an additional flat-top.
Taco Reho is open from 5 p.m. to 1 a.m. on Mondays and from Wednesday-Saturday, and 1 p.m.-1 a.m. Sunday. Lucas hopes to open the truck for lunch hours in the coming weeks and plans to be open year-round. It has made appearances at Fifer Orchards on Saturdays and plans to take part in Punkin Chunkin later this month.
Lucas believes food trucks would do well at the Delaware beaches and the more there are, the merrier. As of now, he's not allowed to do business within the city limits of Rehoboth Beach, Dewey Beach and Lewes, though he has been working with officials to try and make it happen.
"Why there's not more food trucks, I don't know. It's kind of a gray area down here," he said. "No one really has any real answers. We're working on it."
jbleiweis@dmg.gannett.com
443-210-8125
On Twitter @JonBleiweis
IF YOU GO
TACO REHO
When: 5 p.m. to 1 a.m. Monday, Wednesday-Saturday; 1 p.m. to 1 a.m. Sunday
Where: Parking lot of Big Chill Surf Cantina and Liquid, 19406 Coastal Hwy., Rehoboth Beach
Web: Facebook.com/tacorehotruck
ONLINE VIDEO
Watch two videos from Taco Reho at DelmarvaNow.com.