El Taco Loco #3 in Oklahoma City: Mexican Street Food Without the Line
El Taco Loco #3 is a food truck specializing in carne asada tacos, carnitas, and al pastor served from a permanent spot in the city's south side, operating at a price point and speed that makes it a practical lunch or dinner choice for people prioritizing efficiency and meat quality over sit-down comfort.
What the truck actually serves
The menu centers on five taco varieties: carne asada, carnitas, al pastor, pollo asado, and lengua, each built on corn tortillas and topped with onion and cilantro by default. Customers can add salsa verde, pico de gallo, or guacamole. Tacos sell for $1.50 to $2 each, depending on the protein; a three-taco plate with rice and beans runs $7 to $8. Quesadillas, tortas, and burritos are available but secondary to the taco focus. The truck does not serve alcohol.
The carne asada uses marinated beef cooked on a griddle throughout service; the carnitas are pork shoulder braised until shred-tender. Al pastor arrives with the characteristic pineapple-tomato-onion garnish. Meat portions are generous relative to price, with each taco containing roughly two ounces of protein, enough to sustain a lunch order of three tacos plus sides.
Hours, location, and parking logistics
El Taco Loco #3 operates from a fixed location on South Western Avenue and is open Tuesday through Sunday, 10 a.m. to 9 p.m.; hours may vary seasonally and should be confirmed before a visit. Parking is street-level; the truck does not have a dedicated lot. Payment is cash only.
How it compares to other Oklahoma City food trucks
El Taco Loco #3 differs from roving food trucks that operate from multiple locations and pop-up lots, which require tracking via social media or map apps. Its fixed position means predictable access, a trade-off some Oklahoma City customers accept for reliability. The pricing tier sits below full-service taquerias like Ted's Cafe Escondido but above grocery-store taqueria counters, and the meat quality and preparation time (usually under five minutes per order) position it above grab-and-go competitors.
Taco trucks operating from the south side lot near NW 10th Street and Western Avenue serve similar proteins at similar prices but with less consistent meat treatment; El Taco Loco #3's reputation rests partly on meat tenderness and consistent seasoning across visits.
Who should go and who should not
This truck suits lunch-break diners, people on a budget, and anyone seeking quick, meat-forward Mexican food without table service. It does not suit groups needing multiple orders simultaneously (service is linear, one transaction at a time), customers preferring to eat in climate-controlled space, or diners with dietary restrictions beyond basic protein choices.
What a first visit involves
Order at the window, stating your protein choice and taco count. Watch the cook assemble your order on the griddle and on the counter. If you want salsa or pico, ask at the window or grab cups from a small condiment stand. Find a place to eat at the truck's two small standing counters or in your vehicle. Most first visits last fifteen minutes total, including wait.
Why it belongs in Oklahoma City
El Taco Loco #3 fills the gap between sit-down taquerias and convenience-store food, operating consistently enough to rely on and affordably enough to visit weekly.
