Kolcha Tuesday is Taco Tuesday, Sugar City Style!
For tonight’s episode of Kolcha Tuesday we will purposely rebrand the following feature as Taco Tuesday. Over the weekend, News Five traveled to Orange Walk where we attended the annual festivities dedicated to the popular Mexican dish. Across Fort Cairns, vendors from all over town gathered for Tacos Fest 2023 and it was quite an experience. Entertained with live music, residents and visitors alike meandered from stall to stall getting a taste of everything that was on display, from the grill to the plate. Here’s News Five’s Isani Cayetano with our Taco Tuesday edition of Kolcha Tuesday.
Isani Cayetano, Reporting
Tacos are a symphony of flavors wrapped in a soft or crunchy shell, depending on how you prefer your corn or flour tortilla. Imagine succulent meats: beef, pork, chicken, seafood; garnished with zesty salsas, guacamole or sour cream, and fresh veggies, all harmonized with creamy cheese and a hint of lime. It’s not just food; it’s a vibrant handheld feast.
Gladys Talango
Gladys Talango, Tacos Vendor
“This is different, this is pork. I smoke it and then chop it and then cook it on the grill so they get more nicer, with some onion and a little bit of lard.”
Of the three varieties: carnitas, carne asada, and al pastor, they are dressed up simply with fresh cilantro, chopped onion, and served with lime on the side for seasoning, according to the diner’s taste.
Luis Tun
Luis Tun, Vendor, El Paso
“It’s about pork. It’s Mexican tacos, al pastor, with the pineapple. Once it has the pineapple on top it’s al pastor and it’s a really nice tacos, very, very delicious tacos.”
The origins of the taco are not precisely known, but the culinary usage of the word describes a typical Mexican dish made of corn tortilla folded around food. The history of tacos in Belize, however, is a rich and culturally significant one. In Orange Walk, tacos is king.
Robert Usher
Robert Usher, Organizer, OW Tacos Fest
“So di tacos start da Orange Walk over fifty years ago, you know. It was started from a gentleman from Palmar by the name of Juaco. Then we had the Baizas coming in, we have the Garcias and then we had a Mexican that came and started selling tacos. Dem deh time deh, people use to sell tacos through wahn carrier bike. Soh dehn go up with dehn carrier bike and dehn got di two pot right deh soh, dehn could got ten person deh and dehn person wahn seh, “Gimme five dollars tacos.” Dehn ih serve da person. “Gimme three dollars, gimme two dollars.” Soh dehn wrap it dehn di gih dehn one fi eat and by di time dehn finish, da man know exactly how much tacos you eat.”
Each bite is a flavorful fiesta, a masterpiece of simplicity and taste.
Jules Usher
Jules Usher, Staff, OW Tacos Fest
“I guess that it has been something that, for many years, it just built up and now Sugar City is known for having the best tasting tacos.”
And to celebrate this delicacy, hundreds of Belizeans converge on Orange Walk Town annually, for the past eleven years, to take part in the Tacos Fest.
Robert Usher
“It’s unique and so it started growing and growing and growing and I believe with the inception of Tacos Fest ten years ago, many new vendors have come out to the Tacos Fest and now they have their tacos stand around Orange Walk. And that happens because of the support, the support of the community. I am so amazed to see many people here today. We have at least about fifteen new entries.”
The beef, robust and hearty, transforms under the flame, its marbled fat melting to create a succulent, rich flavor. Pork, with its tender versatility, takes on a smoky char that’s both comforting and indulgent. Each sizzle promises a feast of the senses, a testament to the art of grilling.
Claudia Sosa
Claudia Sosa, Sosa’s Fast Food
“People usually say that the tacos is really nice because it’s made on a fire hearth and that is true. We really work hard every time to be perfect on it. My little sister is the one that makes the meat.”
Isani Cayetano
“How big is taco culture in Orange Walk? I know Orange Walk seems to be the capital for tacos. Talk to us about that.”
Claudia Sosa
“Well I think a lot of people say Sugar City is the best tacos in Orange Walk. Some say it’s because of the pepper sauce. That is what they say.”
And those delectable sauces, crafted for the daring palate, boast a robust blend of freshly ground peppers, simmered to perfection. The velvety texture and fiery kick elevate any taco, promising an unforgettable culinary adventure with every drop.
Luis Tun
“I really feel excited because, I mean people really love the tacos and I’m very pleased that we could give them a nice service and very good tacos too.”
Isani Cayetano
“What makes your one stand out over everything else out here?”
Luis Tun
“It’s the marinade that we use. It’s a very, the spices that we use on the meat, it’s like a Mayan taste. The Mayan spices.”
Those Mayan spices aren’t just condiments, taken together, they are an experience, elevating these taco dishes with bold and harmonious essence. Isani Cayetano for News Five.
