Latin American street food favorites in Reno-Tahoe.
Street food culture exists all over the world because wherever there are people on the go, they’ll be eager for fast, tasty nourishment.
Street food, or comida callejera, is so named because it’s rarely eaten in a traditional restaurant, or inside an establishment at all. It’s ready immediately (or can be) and should be easy enough to eat on the go or pack up for a later snack. And it’s usually pretty easy to find.
In Northern Nevada, there is a plethora of finger-licking comida callejera: at Food Truck Fridays, festivals such as Fiesta on Wells, and, occasionally, via the Mexican hot dog street vendors. However, if you are in a car or on the RTC bus, you too can find delicious Latin street food at the markets and butchers, or on the main thoroughfares in the region. Here are some of the most common ones:
Chicharrón is skin-on fried pork belly. It’s pork rind with meat still attached to the fatty skin. As a street food, it’s found throughout Latino communities — Reno and Sparks are no exceptions. Head to Carnicería Mi Rancho or Toro De Oro Market in Sparks, or Carniceria La Chiquita Meat Market & Deli in Reno for the best chicharrón in the area. For prepackaged pork rind only, make a quick stop at Marketón in Reno. It’s great for sharing with friends.
Empanadas, sometimes called pastels or pastelitos, are hand pies made of dough with sweet or savory fillings. Dough varieties include yucca and corn masa. Fortunately, finding this delicious and portable street food item has become easier. You’ll find a ham and cheese version at Brazilian Gourmet on Wheels food truck; chorizo, shrimp, and other daily specials at Toro de Oro; and vegetarian, meat, and dessert options at Empanash in South Lake Tahoe.
Relive childhood memories this summer with sticky desserts. Let children pick their own paleta (Mexican popsicle) flavors or head to the park with dozens from Paleteria del Angel in Sparks or Paletería La Michoacana in Reno.
Whether you seek tacos, burritos, anticuchos (meat skewers), Cubano sandwiches, or tortas (Mexican sandwiches), Latin street food is available all over our region, all year long. ¡Buen provecho!
RESOURCES
Brazilian Gourmet on Wheels
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Pastel, pão de queijo, chicken Parmesan croquettes, meat skewers
Carniceria La Chiquita Meat Market & Deli
4385 Neil Road, Ste. 102, Reno
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Chicharrón, torta Cubana, pan dulce
Carnicería Mi Rancho
2211 Oddie Blvd., Sparks
Find Carniceria Mi Rancho on Facebook
Chicharrón, pastries
Empanash
900 Ski Run Blvd., Ste. 106, South Lake Tahoe
Empanash.com
Argentine empanadas sold in bulk!
Marketón
1500 S. Wells Ave., Reno
Marketon.com
Bakery, chicharrón
Paleteria del Angel
1353 Baring Blvd., Sparks
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Paleteria La Michoacana
1295 E. Moana Lane, Reno
2275 G St., Sparks
Orderpaleterialamichoacana1.com
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Toro De Oro Market
588 N. McCarran Blvd., Sparks
Find Toro De Oro Market on Facebook
Pastels, chicharrón, tamales, tacos, burritos, and pan dulce
