Steppin’ Out – Jimboy’s Tacos

Absolutely-Final-JB_Logo_2015_FINALIn the early 1970s, there was a Jimboy’s Tacos located on Broadway in Placerville, in the shopping center across from Chuck’s Pancakes. I recall eating there a couple of times and then it disappeared.

It wasn’t until early 2006 that the two former Burger Kings, one in Cameron Park and one at the corner of Broadway and Schnell School Road in Placerville, were purchased and converted to Jimboy’s.

During that thirty year lull, my only source for their original (ground beef) tacos was at Denio’s Farmer’s Market and Swap Meet in Roseville, were we often stood in a long line to get a couple of tacos. I understand that small Jimboy’s has now moved from Denio’s, across the street to the other flea market.

My friend Russ Salazar recalled enjoying the tacos at Denio’s and had been after me for some time to visit the Jimboy’s at 1405 Broadway, so a few weeks ago, we did just that.
On our list for that day were, for sure, two of their original tacos and something else that we thought looked interesting.

As we were about to walk in I noticed something rare on the outside of the building, a pay phone – and someone was using it. Kind of amazing in a time when most kids get a cell phone before they are old enough to attend school.

We wandered in and checked out the menu. That day there was a special, one Diablo Shrimp taco and one Steak taco, with or without rice and beans. Russ wanted to try the rice and beans, so we ordered two of the special, one with rice and beans and one without, and added two original tacos.

The Diablo Shrimp taco consists of a Parmesan cheese crusted, grilled corn tortilla filled with Diablo shrimp, coleslaw, chipotle mayo and salsa cruda. The Steak taco has the same Parmesan cheese crusted, grilled corn tortilla, but is filled with lettuce, Monterey Jack cheese, onions, pico de gallo and steak.

While waiting for our food, I wandered to the salsa bar to get one of everything. They had several salsas in cold containers that you dipped out of and one squirt bottle tucked into an ice bath (loved the chipotle salsa). They also had sliced jalapeños and a few other things to try.
So, before I tell you how we liked them, let me describe their original, ground beef taco. It has a Parmesan cheese crusted, grilled corn tortilla filled with lettuce, American cheese and their specially seasoned ground beef.

Notice what all there tacos have that you don’t usually find? The Parmesan cheese crusted grilled corn tortilla. It makes the difference. I’ve tried it at home, but it just isn’t the same.

Back to the food. Russ, my Mexican food expert, said this about the rice and beans. “The rice is fluffy and flavorful, has a good texture and is not sticky or overly spicy. The beans are excellent and don’t have that “canned taste.” He believes good beans and rice are a necessary part of a good Mexican meal.

I tried them and liked them, but I really like refried beans that are made with lard, lots of lard. Fortunately, I don’t eat refried beans that often (that’s for my doctor if he happens to read this)

I loved the shrimp taco. Good sauce, good tasting shrimp and lots of them. Russ mirrored that comment. I thought the steak was a bit tough, but very tasty. Russ said I complain too much.

The original taco was just as we knew it would be: delicious. It wasn’t too oily and had that wonderful, crunchy shell around the well seasoned beef. We thought about ordering a couple more, but didn’t.

The menu has at least eight kinds of tacos and seven kinds of burritos, which you can have regular or super. They also serve a taco salad, tostada and quesadilla that you can have with your choice of meat. And, you can have most anything vegetarian, if that is your diet choice.

Now, something I didn’t know about, some of their restaurants serve burgers and fries, along with breakfast items.
Well, they have much more on the menu than I can fit here, including daily specials, so drop by, call or check out their webpage at jimboystacos.com.

Both the Placerville (1405 Broadway) and Cameron Park (3431 Coach Lane) Jimboy’s serve breakfast and have the same hours: Monday through Friday from 9:30 a.m. until 9 p.m.; Saturday from 9:30 a.m. until 10 p.m. and on Sunday from 9:30 a.m. until 9:30 p.m.

For more information you can call Placerville Jimboy’s at (530) 621-1511 and Cameron Park at (530) 677-2411.

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