Just tried the food at the new Mexican cart near Grove St PATH station, was really good. Sounds like they're going to be at the Grove St. station evenings until midnight and doing lunches near Exchange place. Owner was a nice guy and really eager to answer any questions you have about the dishes.

i'm going to have to try this!

phsyched to try this, passed it in the evening a couple weeks ago.

was in fron tof the courthouse, not sure if that's the permanent location.

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What courthouse?? The one in Journal Square??? I thought the original poster said it was going to be near the Grove Street PATH?

Looking forward to checking this out. I am a big fan of food trucks.

Is this the Lucinda Taco/Burrito Truck? I saw someone driving it this morning. They parked outside La Conga and went inside....maybe to get supplies?

Do you think someone new bought Lucinda's?

Not the Lucinda truck. This guy doesn't do tacos or burritos, says he wants to show people other dishes. Has a few different types of mexican sandwiches and something similar to a quesadilla.

The one in front of the courthouse must be something different. The owner said that this is his first full week, so unless he was just testing some locations then it probably wasn't him.

So, where is this truck exactly? I'm totally getting some today...

"forget taqueria"?

but theres a mexican restaurant i think its called tex mex a few stores away from grove newstand and they have good fresh food,i usually get jack cheese n chicken mmmmmm

Forget taqueria.

We had two tortas last night. I had the Aztec Steak, it was delicious. My boyfriend had the El California. (I think I have these names right, maybe.) They were both great. My only complaint is that they were so big, we probably could have cut one in half and split it.

I love the convenient location at the PATH station, I definitely look forward to trying the rest of the sandwiches.

A guy I work with bought a sandwich there. He said it was really good.

where exactly is this truck?

on columbus?

just saw lucinda's truck near van vorst park
http://www.lucindatruck.com/

yup, yesterday the lucinda truck was on montgomery at barrow...

we'll be seeing the lucinda truck more often now...the lady that owned it sold it to a couple and it seems like they are ready to tear it up in JC.

they think they'll be at VVP on saturdays.

steak burrito was delicious as always...breakfast burrito was on the money.

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At the Grove St. PATH stop at that little "plaza." Near Dunkin Donuts, Duane Reade, et al.

Nice avatar johnnytit, but you should really give the photographer some credit.

let me guess....was it you designknob?

yes, there are new owners of lucinda - nice local couple

Got a sandwich from them tonight when I got off the train at 8:30 after a late night at work, very good for cart food. Yum!

It was not me, but it was a good friend of mine.

My husband and I tried two tortas last night from this cart in front of the Grove St Path - they were great!!!

They were super friendly and really trying to drum up future business - had two tortas and another selection (sorry I was hungry and tired) available at about 9pm - he said he is going to be there weeknights - maybe Sat until 130am. This is NOT to be confused with whatever truck that is being mentioned!

i look forward to new places, but to say "forget taqueria" is ridiculous.



place is great, period.

The cart is at the path now, just had the 'Original' with pork. Pretty good sandwich for $7, filled me up.

The hot sauce it comes with is HOT!

Definitely different than Taqauria. However, I would say the food is just as good and you get a bit more for your money.

How is this cart/truck operating so close to storefront food vendors?Remember the hoopla about the truck on Hamilton Park? They have to be several blocks away. Has the law changed, or is it being winked at?

I believe they have to be at least 100 feet away from any food establishment and can only stay for 20 minutes.

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Clearly all the vendors except the classic "roach coaches" that serve construction and industrial sites flaunt the 20 minute rule, if not the 100 ft.

I don't have it in for vendors, I like the new hot dog guy on Coles, and had thought a well placed expresso cart might be a good business investment, until I heard about the law. I am just frustrated by bad laws being ignored, except for when someone with pull has it in for you. It sounds like this statute needs some modernizing.

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the hamilton park hoopla was caused entirely by a lame bar owner in the area, with no regard to his resident neighbors who clearly liked the chicken truck. in other words: someone would need to alert the "authorities", it would seem.

This is the new place where you can get real home cooking from Guadalajara Mexico, from spicy tortas ahogadas to melted oaxaca cheese zincronizada, carnitas, achiote braised brisket, adobo roasted chicken, joint us at the corner of Grove & newark, outside the path station.

Website and menus coming soon.
thank you for you comments.

Stopped by here this past Sat around 11:30 craving a torta. Tried the Aztec and the California. Both were great and I'm looking forward to going back to try the rest.

I tried the tortas with both chicken and beef brisket - loved them both, especially the beef. Delicious! They were surprisingly light and non-greasy.

This food is mouthwateringly good. Go hungry and be adventurous. JC needs more business owners like the young Mexican fella who operates this cart. He is nice, earnest and hardworking and is always looking for ways to expand his business. Be a sport and try one of his tortas. You won't regret it.

Tried their food a couple nights ago. Very, very tasty... the hot sauce is very hot and the bread is nice and crusty. Going to be hard to choose between them and Ibby's when I don't feel like cooking!

Gotta go with the cart. Ibby's has gotten a tad pricey for what they offer. I do love their harissa though.

quality

tried the azteca. nothing to complain about. def worth the $7 (unless you prefer to reserve the $2 for a soul crushing $5 foot long).

easily one of the better sandwiches in the Grove area.

regarding the Ibby's price comment... yeah i agree, more or less. It's still a great, quick, relatively cheap option. but i don't like that they jacked the soup and combo price.

Where is this cart? Yesterday, I was at the Gove st. PATH entrance by Dunkin Donuts and all I saw was fruit and vegetable stands. Nothing against nutrional foods, but I wanted some fast food mexican and could not find it.

Is this cart still around?

It sure is. I saw it by the Grove Street PATH Station tonight.

Hi you all We are Tortas ahogadas El Imperio and we are located at the exit of the Grove st. Path station, come and try our famus aztec steak or the zincrinizada with oaxaca cheese and braised brisket tuesday to sunday 5 till midnite.

hi ElImperio,I'm looking forward to trying ur food sometime soon thanks for posting!

i had the la original tonight and took some pictures. it was just as delicious as it looked, and spicy without killing all of the taste. take a look. alex (the owner) is a super nice dude who is really passionate about his food. i will definitely go back and try plenty more.

http://www.flickr.com/photos/alli-son/tags/elimperio/

after much hype i finally got to stop by the cart. I had the original and i must say it was delicious! that hot sauce is very tasty. i am looking forward to trying the other stuff. Also to note. I was speaking to the owner and he said they will DELIVER if you live in the area!!! Also every week he will have a new special item.

the number is 347-624-9306.

thanks alex! you should also get on facebook and create a page. thats another great way of keeping people updated with your specials!

Thumbs up on the food. Have been there a couple of times and Alex was super-nice in explaining the food and how he decided to focus on specialities from Guadalajara. He's clearly passionate about preparing good food! I especially love the zincrinizada - kind of like a quesadilla, but waaaay better than a quesadilla. The portion size is extremely generous for $7, too.

I thought it may be helpful to post El Imperio's menu and contact information.

The guys who run the place are really friendly and I'm told they now deliver.

See below for details!


EL IMPERIO - TORTAS AHOGADAS DE GUADALAJARA

Each of the following is $7.00:

LA ORIGINAL

- Old-Fashioned Whole Wheat Birote Bread
- Your Choice of Chicken, Pork or Veggies
- Refried Pinto Beans
- Tomato Sauce/Chile de Arbol (Extra Spicy Sauce)
- Pickled Onions With Lime Juice

EL CALIFORNIA

- Old-Fashioned Whole Wheat Birote Bread
- Slow-Braised Achiote-Marinated Beef Brisket
- Sour Cream, Yellow Mustard, Jalapenos

THE AZTEC STEAK

- Crusty Old-Fashioned Whole Wheat Birote Bread
- Beer-Marinated Skirt Steak
- Tomatoes, Caramelized Onions, Fresh Jalapenos
- Seared Oaxaca Cheese
- Refried Beans

ZINCRO-NIKZZ

- Whole Wheat Tortilla
- Our Veggies (Roasted Poblano Rajas, Corn, Potatoes)
- Or Your Choice of Pork, Chicken or Beef Brisket
- Oaxaca Cheese
- Sour Cream, Spicy Sauce

For Delivery, Call Alex (347) 624-9306

Catering Now Available for Private Parties

Business E-Mail: gusaniux [at] live [dot] com

Hours: Usually Tuesday - Sunday From 5PM to 12AM

Location: Plaza By Grove St. PATH Station (Near Dunkin' Donuts & Duane Reade)

for those planning to go there today, they will not be there today, Sunday (i just called)

HI Everyone, we took sunday and monday off, me Alex and Aaron are both Fathers, but we are back this tousday at regular time 5pm till midnite so come and get our famus tortas at tortas el IMPERIO! Thank you All

just tried the California and the Zincro-nikzz. both excellent. The bread that is used on the sandwiches is outstanding by the way!

oh and there is a new hotsauce which is great!

I've had the aztec steak. Deeeeeeeeeeelicious!

So good...Sooooooo good!

The guys are super nice....

I was excited to try to food at this place until my fiancee was walking by and the two guys working at the cart started to call out to her with the typical "hey mami" bullshit. Just a tip to the guy that represents the cart on this board, if you want to maintain a reputable business and attract customers, "hollering" at females walking by is not the way to do it.

As a woman who is frequently harassed by the men who loiter my JC neighborhood (which I love despite said harassment/loitering)...I just want to add that the two men operating the cart when I have been there have been very respectful to me and to other female customers I've seen them interact with. That's been my experience.