On a busy stretch of road near Founders Elementary, a fusion style food-truck where Mexican street-tacos meet Japanese sushi sits right on the corner, offering not only bright, bold colors, but also giving off an aroma that makes stopping by difficult to resist.
Tako Sushi is a food truck that many NIU students may know from Food Truck Wednesdays, but it can be found at their primary location at 904 S. Fourth St., open from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Friday, or at local events around DeKalb.
Featuring menu items such as a classic dragon roll, quesabirria tacos and an ingredient-packed fried sushi burrito, this small business takes pride in their fusion foods, using their truck to bring attention to a unique combo unlike any other in DeKalb.
The food truck, owned and operated by Juan Martinez and assisted by his daughter Evelyn Martinez, is a locally owned business that takes the concept of hand rolled sushi and street style tacos, mashing them into a comfort food lover’s dream.
Despite their wide array of fusion combinations, Juan Martinez shared that the foods that best represent his food truck are the classic taco combo – which includes three tacos with your choice of meat and a California roll.
He feels the meal shows off classic aspects of both Japanese and Mexican cuisine in one dish.
Even though the tacos came from Martinez’s own cultural background, his inspiration for the addition of sushi to his menu was simply because of his love for Japanese cuisine. He even dedicated time to properly learn how to roll sushi.
Martinez believes the versatility of these dishes from different sides of the world sets him apart from the other small businesses in DeKalb, and although it may sound like a daunting mashup, it makes for a pretty good meal.
“They may think it’s kind of weird, mixing sushi and tacos. But once they try it, they’ll like it,” Martinez said. “We’re different because it’s a different combination that hasn’t really been seen in DeKalb.”
So, whether you’re someone who has decided they’re entirely too busy to cook a meal, or if you’re someone who happens to be in the area, Tako Sushi has many foods for those who enjoy Japanese, Mexican or both cuisines.
