La Tradición de Nueva Italia Food Truck

- 1948 Alum Rock Ave, San Jose, CA 95116

For residents of the **California** region, especially those seeking truly authentic, regional Mexican cuisine in San Jose, **La Tradición de Nueva Italia Food Truck** offers a celebrated culinary experience. Situated as a vibrant fixture within the South Bay Merchant Market, this establishment is far more than a typical food truck; it is a beloved local gem renowned for its dedication to the traditional flavors of Michoacán, specifically focusing on the deeply flavorful and sought-after dishes of **Birria** and **Barbacoa**.

The name, "La Tradición de Nueva Italia," speaks to its heritage, bringing the authentic cooking traditions of the town of Nueva Italia, Michoacán, to the bustling community of San Jose, CA. This **Mexican restaurant** and specialized **Barbecue restaurant** is known for its incredibly tender, slow-cooked meats. The atmosphere is decidedly **Casual**, reflecting its nature as a high-quality food truck operation that provides exceptional food with **Fast service**, making it an ideal choice for **Breakfast, Lunch, and Dinner**.

Customers consistently praise this family-owned and local business for its commitment to freshness, including their signature offering of **endless handmade tortillas** (for dine-in patrons) and their refreshing, natural **AGUAS FRESCAS 100% NATURALES**. For anyone in the Bay Area looking for a powerful, authentic taste of Mexico, La Tradición de Nueva Italia is a highly recommended and essential stop.

La Tradición de Nueva Italia Food Truck is conveniently located in East San Jose, operating from a key commercial area that makes it accessible for both quick stops and dedicated visits. Being situated within the South Bay Merchant Market at a prominent address makes it easy to find.

The operating location is at:

• **1948 Alum Rock Ave, San Jose, CA 95116, USA**

Despite being a food truck operation, the location offers necessary accommodations for patrons, focusing on ease and convenience:

• The area provides a **Wheelchair accessible entrance** and a **Wheelchair accessible parking lot**.
• Ample parking is available, including a **Free parking lot** and opportunities for **Free street parking** in the vicinity.
• The operation is structured for quick, high-volume service, with the fast-moving queue ensuring a quick turnaround, even when the market location "Gets packed."

While operating from a food truck setup, La Tradición de Nueva Italia offers a surprising range of services and dining options, catering to a broad customer base looking for quality Mexican food throughout the day.

• **Dine-in (Market Seating):** Customers have the option to **Dine-in** at the surrounding market area, which is where they can take advantage of the generous offer of **endless handmade tortillas**.
• **Takeout:** The primary and most popular service option is **Takeout**, allowing customers to grab their food quickly and easily.
• **All-Day Meals:** The menu is designed to cater to all major meals, being popular for **Breakfast, Lunch, and Dinner**.
• **Payment Method:** It is essential for patrons to note that the establishment operates on a **Cash-only** basis for transactions.
• **Fast Service:** A key feature is the **Fast service**, ensuring that despite its popularity, the line moves quickly, minimizing wait times.
• **Planning Ahead:** The establishment **Accepts reservations**, which is an unusual but helpful feature for a food truck, potentially allowing **Groups** to plan their visit more efficiently.
• **Family-Friendly:** The food truck is **Good for kids**, offering comforting and approachable meal options.

La Tradición de Nueva Italia Food Truck distinguishes itself in the highly competitive San Jose food scene through its commitment to specific regional dishes, quality ingredients, and unique service perks.

• **Best Barbacoa in the Bay:** Customer reviews enthusiastically claim that this food truck offers the "Best barbacoa in the bay," making it a must-try for any fan of traditional, slow-cooked Mexican barbecue.
• **Authentic Michoacán Birria:** The specialty is **BIRRIA SECA TATEMADA**, served with **consome** (broth). This dry, roasted birria style is highly authentic to the Michoacán region, providing a flavor profile distinct from other birria offerings in California.
• **Endless Handmade Tortillas:** A huge draw for dine-in customers is the offer of **endless handmade tortillas** as long as they are eating on-site, a significant value and quality highlight.
• **Specialty Dishes:** Beyond birria, they offer classic, deep-cut dishes like **MENUDO** (with the option for a “pata” or trotters), **Quesabirrias** ($10.00), and specific afternoon specialties such as **enchiladas in the afternoon after 3 pm**.
• **Natural Beverages:** They offer genuine, natural fruit drinks, referred to as **AGUAS FRESCAS 100% NATURALES** ($5.00), which are highly refreshing and recommended.
• **Family-Owned and Local:** The business is proudly **Family own and local**, adding a personal touch and sense of community to the dining experience, which is valued by California patrons.
• **Menu Focus:** The offerings are centered on authentic **Comfort food** and a **Quick bite**, emphasizing rich flavors and satisfying portions.

For inquiries, including questions about the **Birria Seca Tatemada** menu or the availability of **enchiladas in the afternoon**, patrons can contact La Tradición de Nueva Italia Food Truck directly using the following information:

• **Address:** 1948 Alum Rock Ave, San Jose, CA 95116, USA (Inside South Bay Merchant Market)
• **Phone (Landline):** (669) 350-9369
• **Phone (Mobile):** +1 669-350-9369

The strength of La Tradición de Nueva Italia Food Truck lies in its focused, regional menu. Choosing any of their specialties is a guaranteed dive into authentic Mexican cuisine, making it an essential visit for food lovers in San Jose, CA.

These dishes are the foundation of the food truck’s reputation and are what customers consistently return for:

• **BIRRIA SECA TATEMADA:** This is the restaurant’s core offering. The dry, roasted birria style is intensely flavorful and should be ordered with the accompanying **consome** for dipping and sipping. Pair this with the **endless handmade tortillas** for the ultimate experience.
• **Quesabirrias:** At $10.00, these cheesy, savory tacos filled with birria are a popular modern twist on the classic dish and are noted for their deliciousness.
• **Barbacoa:** Enthusiastically touted as the **"Best barbacoa in the bay,"** this slow-cooked meat should be a top priority for any first-time visitor.
• **MENUDO:** The traditional Mexican stew is a great choice, especially with the option to include the **pata** (trotters), which is a sign of true authenticity and depth of flavor.

To round out the meal, consider these items that enhance the core offerings:

• **AGUAS FRESCAS 100% NATURALES:** These natural fruit waters ($5.00) are a necessary pairing to the rich, savory meats, offering a refreshing and authentic taste of Mexico.
• **Afternoon Enchiladas and Tacos:** If you visit after 3 pm, try the traditional **enchiladas** or the **tacos dorados de adobera**, as these afternoon specialties showcase the breadth of their cooking tradition.

As a reminder, patrons should be prepared for the **Cash-only** payment policy. This minor detail is a small price to pay for the exceptional quality, fast service, and authentic taste of **La Tradición de Nueva Italia Food Truck**, truly making it a cherished food destination in the San Jose, California, community.

La Tradición de Nueva Italia Food Truck

1948 Alum Rock Ave, San Jose, CA 95116, USA