Taco Fest presented by Good Foods is coming up on Sept. 14 at Henry Maier Festival Park at the lakefront. So, we reached out to another of our amazing taco vendors, Birrieria La Tia Juana, to get an update on what's new (and delicious). This is also a reminder to get your Taco Fest tickets while they last!
When it comes to food trucks, Birrieria La Tia Juana is among the newer vendors on the Milwaukee scene. The family-owned and operated trailer launched in March of 2023 and has since developed a loyal following parking at 39th and Burnham.
The red and yellow trailer, which specializes in birria, is owned and operated by Karla Martinez and her husband Christian Lara who moved to Wisconsin from Tijuana, Mexico – the birthplace of the birria taco – in 2019.
Lara, who has worked in restaurants in San Diego also operated a small taco stand in Mexico before bringing his talents to the Cream City. His love for cooking and desire to bring Milwaukeeans an authentic taste of Mexican fare drove his desire to start a mobile food business in Milwaukee.
“We didn’t see anywhere that made tacos like we made at home,” says Martinez. “So we worked on saving up our money so that we could buy a trailer to share them with Milwaukee.”
One of the things that distinguishes the Birrieria La Tia Juana truck from others is the size of their corn tortillas, which are about the size of a small plate. Martinez says that the tortillas they use for their tacos are the size that’s traditionally used in Tijuana. “And we fill them with lots of meat,” she says.
In addition to tacos (which are filled with either birria or steak), the truck’s menu includes tortas, tostadas, burritos and quesadillas. They also offer birria ramen and – most recently – have added birria nachos. Platters and combos are also available. Guests can round out the experience with various flavors of Jarritos or housemade horchata or Agua de Jamaica.
“All the food that we make is with love,” says Martinez. “Through our food we want our customers to get a traditional taste of Mexico.”
You can find the truck parked regularly on 39th and Burnham where they serve most days from 9 a.m. to 7 p.m. (or until they are sold out). Birrieria La Tia Juana also makes regular appearances at food truck events around town. You can keep up with where they are by following them on Facebook and Instagram.
What is your most popular food item?
Martinez says that both the quesabirria taco and their birria ramen are both very popular among their regulars.
What kind of food will you be serving at Taco Fest?
The truck will be stocked with Birrieria La Tia Juana’s signature birria and steak tacos.
Any vegetarian or vegan items? The trailer does not currently offer vegetarian or vegan options.
If you could park your trailer anywhere for one day, where would it be? Martinez says they have a list of events they hope to apply for next year. Among them are popular events like the West Allis Farmers Market and Food Truck Fridays in West Allis.
As a passionate champion of the local dining scene, Lori has reimagined the restaurant critic's role into that of a trusted dining concierge, guiding food lovers to delightful culinary discoveries and memorable experiences.
Lori is an avid cook whose accrual of condiments and spices is rivaled only by her cookbook collection. Her passion for the culinary industry was birthed while balancing A&W root beer mugs as a teenage carhop, fed by insatiable curiosity and fueled by the people whose stories entwine with every dish. Lori is the author of two books: the "Wisconsin Field to Fork" cookbook and "Milwaukee Food". Her work has garnered journalism awards from entities including the Milwaukee Press Club. In 2024, Lori was honored with a "Top 20 Women in Hospitality to Watch" award by the Wisconsin Restaurant Association.
When she’s not eating, photographing food, writing or planning for TV and radio spots, you’ll find Lori seeking out adventures with her husband Paul, traveling, cooking, reading, learning, snuggling with her cats and looking for ways to make a difference.
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