Taco Trip Season 1 Episode 3 Portland

Taco Trip is a travel and food show on Cooking Channel that follows Mexican food expert Aarón Sánchez as he traverses the United States in search of the best coarsely folded tortilla delights in the country. In season 1 episode 3, titled "Portland," Aaron Sánchez sets on a quest to find the top-notch tacos in the city of roses - Portland, Oregon.

The episode kicks off with Aarón meeting up with Jason Quinonez, a taco expert, and a food blogger, who guides him to his first stop of the day - Matt's BBQ Tacos. Here, Sánchez indulges in a signature Texas-style BBQ brisket taco that features juicy smoked meat topped with onions and cilantro and served on a handmade tortilla. The meat lovers can't miss this one!

Next up, Aaron heads to Barrio—a casual small eatery that offers delicious Mexican food with a Pacific Northwest spin. Here, he aims to explore the culinary creativity in the city's food culture and dives into the deep-fried halibut tacos that are served with pickled slaw and smoky chipotle mayonnaise, exclusive to Portland's seasonal produce. Sánchez expresses his amazement at how these makers have managed to bring the traditional flavors of Mexico to Portland and infused them with local ingredients, creating a unique sense of fusion.

In his quest to find some of the best tacos in Portland, Aaron visits a taco cart, La Jarochita. Fernanda Lozano, the owner who hails from Veracruz, Mexico, proudly showcases her traditional taco flavors that promise to make your mouth water. She serves a variety of meat fillings such as beef tongue, pork shoulder, chicken, and roasted ham. Aarón tries her favorite - the Al Pastor Tacos, which come in soft, freshly made tortillas and loaded with meat and topped with onions, cilantro, and a slice of pineapple; it's a perfect balance of sweet and savory.

The fourth spot on the taco tour is a place called Robo Taco. Located on the bustling Alberta street, Robo Taco is known for its tacos with a futuristic touch and a unique twist! The chef combines a generous helping of roasted vegetables like sweet potatoes, cabbage, carrots with the different meats to create original and uncommon flavors. Aarón's top pick here is the 'Pig Tornados' - crispy rolled-up flour tortillas enveloping jalapeño-spiked pork, spicy pico de gallo, and tangy guac and sour cream, a taco that impresses with its crispy crunch and unique flavor profile.

The final stop on Aaron's Portland taco quest is Nuestra Cocina, a Mexican inspired restaurant on the corner of Southeast Division and 22nd. The restaurant's chef-owner Benjamin González, innovates on classic recipes with a contemporary twist. Aaron enjoys the swirl of textures and flavors in a plate of 'Pescado Tacos' that features fresh rockfish tacos served with pickled onion, arugula, and tangy mayo-based salsa. The restaurant offers more sophisticated and upscale options, but the taco dish is a hidden gem worth the visit.

Overall, the episode portrays Portland's lively street food scene and Mexican culinary pleasures that can leave your taste buds with an unforgettable experience. The show highlights the city's finesse in infusing its food culture with a global perspective to create unique and exclusive flavors that keep foodies coming back for more. Taco Trip explores and celebrates every aspect of the thriving Mexican culinary scene in Portland and offers foodies the necessary inspiration for developing gastronomic creativity in their own kitchens.