Boca Del Rio Taco ~ La Puente
Hacienda Blvd. & Fairgrove Ave. ~ La Puente, CA 91744 (TACO Guide)
Boca Del Rio is spanish for “rivermouth”. This day, river is Southern California for “street”. Coming from Whittier and the dread straits of 605 traffic, I hit Hacienda Rd. with Mt. Baldy as my distant compass, crossing over the hills of La Habra Heights, across Hacienda Heights and through to La Puente. Boca Del Rio is not the only taco in town, but the only one of its kind. Late into a sun bleached winter afternoon, business was brisk. I spoke through the window to a jocular pair of caballeros who are bi-lingual and syncopated to the taco rhythm. Today is a good day for cabeza “con todo”. I watched the cooks deliver two heaps of steaming “head” onto the paper plate which gave pleasantly under weight. Deftly, one man dolloped sour cream onto each taco then proceded with his grater to shower the plate in a smothering cloud of shredded cheese. Salsa Verde goes on top of that.
A friendly woman down the counter took $3.50 for two tacos and gave me the rest of what I’d need to feast- a fork and servieta. Paper napkins I like to do without, but this flimsy plastic fork was especially handy. These tacos felt like sloppy joes, on my hands and in my face. The soft, dark cabeza meat was stewed spicy and mouth watering. The cabeza piles overwhelmed their junior tortillas pads, so I started in with the fork which came wedged up under taco #1. I then palmed a taco and loosened my mandibles.
This taco delivered a consumate taco sensation, the flavor flooding my thoughts, the eating and the eaten are one. I exchange a friendly nod with the stranger across the table from me; he’s known all along what I’m experiencing for the first time- Boca Del Rio tacos are mighty tasty!
Evan wrote:
Mmm…cabeza…I’ll definitely remember to look for this place.
Posted on 03-Jan-07 at 10:15 am | Permalink
Jae Bueno wrote:
There is always a line here! Good eats!
Posted on 29-Mar-07 at 1:35 pm | Permalink
anna rodarte wrote:
la puente. My hometown,i havent been back for awhile,i guess this restaurant is pretty new i never seen it when i lived there.But i cant wait to stop there and try some of that good food.anna
Posted on 10-Apr-07 at 12:49 am | Permalink
Isela Gallardo wrote:
Lived in L.P. 35 years…have gone to Boca (as all L.P.ers call it) for a long time. When my oldest son visited from Ariona it was one of his first stops. Another son and d-in-l come from Norwalk and go straight to Boca. Surprised you got a picture without its always long, but fast-moving line. btw, there’s at least 6 meat options and several toppings to choose from.
Posted on 18-Jul-07 at 4:51 pm | Permalink
merari wrote:
ahh yeah boca is a great place to eat , also known for it’s great after hours crowed mon-sat, sundays its closed .
Posted on 24-Jul-07 at 1:18 pm | Permalink
Armando Gallardo wrote:
Hey, I am Isela’s Norwalk son and my wife has become addicted to Boca!!! We usually run into old friends, LPHS alumni from the 80′s. The carnitas are the best, get your burrito double wrapped or it will bust through the tortilla!! Con todo, crema y guacamole tambien!!
Posted on 25-Jul-07 at 9:39 am | Permalink
ANGELICA wrote:
BOCA IS THE BOMB! I MISS IT SO MUCH. WE DON’T HAVE ANYTHING HERE LIKE THAT IN ALASKA. I USE TO ALWAYS ORDER THE BURRITO WITH PURA CARNE. YUMMIE! SEEING THIS WEBSITE JUST TAKES ME BACK! I MISS
LA PUENTE!!!!!!!!
Posted on 23-Feb-08 at 12:24 pm | Permalink
Omar castillo wrote:
Whats up la Puente< i moved to Indy couple of years ago and tacos from boca del rio its what i miss the most…
Posted on 29-Mar-08 at 10:05 pm | Permalink
Julio wrote:
This place used to be a treasure in the town of La Puente back in 1988. The owner sold it to a non-mexican and I must admit, their food lost the queality I grew up knowing. If you are constipated and need a quick fix, Boca del Rio is your answer. You could tell the guys not to put any cheese and you will definitely get more cheese than you would if you asked for some. The carne asada is boiled never grilled. This place in my honest opion sucks and I cant believe it has as much business as it does. A name my friends and I have coined for this place is “Boca del Chorro”. You will definitely make a run for toilet ala montezuma’s revenge.
Posted on 22-May-08 at 3:50 pm | Permalink
Barry wrote:
Man,I grew up in Puente (Class of 80)We used to go to Toco-Rico with an empty pan to fill full of Manudo.The people that ran the place lived in the back,complete w/screeming runny-nosed kids and all!Man,what a place,lots of good scarf.(I know this is a diff.place but being from L.P.,I don’t care much about anything)…lol
Posted on 19-Jun-08 at 4:10 pm | Permalink
Barry wrote:
I fergot! P13 to all!!! Cholla chicks rule!
Posted on 19-Jun-08 at 4:48 pm | Permalink
Mr.j wrote:
Man Bocas is the best place to eat! Ive been going there for years. they opened one in la now too. same owners!! check it out and enjoy.
Posted on 20-Jun-08 at 2:57 pm | Permalink
Berdin wrote:
Ummmm. thats sum good stuff. Long lines but worth it.
Posted on 06-Jul-08 at 2:46 pm | Permalink
sergio maldonado wrote:
i used to go their every saturday with my dad and brother we use to cut lawns in LA puente and when we finish we use to go eat thier i miss the old times.
Posted on 14-Jan-09 at 9:59 am | Permalink