Ruth Ibarra and her husband, Francisco, opened Tacos de Canasta Jalisco in 2021, looking to re-create and share the flavors of their native state of Jalisco, Mexico. Serving from their red truck, they quickly gained a reputation for authentic, Guadalajara-inspired specialties like tacos, mulitas and tortas ahogadas (a dipped version of the Mexican sandwich). As the truck’s reputation grew, so did the lines of customers. On any given Saturday, Ruth and her family, including her two daughters, serve hundreds of plates to regulars and newcomers. The truck is parked on the corner of Wells and Capitol Hill avenues on Saturdays and Sundays, open from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m., but hours may vary. I conducted this interview in Spanish, and Ruth’s daughter, Alondra Ibarra, helped confirm my translations were correct.
What’s the best thing you’ve eaten locally in the last month?
Birria. It’s my favorite, and I could eat it all the time. Lots of birria is available in Reno now. It’s so good.
Your kitchen is on fire—metaphorically! What are you cooking?
Tacos de canasta! They are my specialty, and I love to make them. (Author’s note: Tacos de canasta, also known as “basket tacos,” are typically made with corn tortillas and filled with various ingredients like refried beans, potatoes or chicharrón/pork cracklings, then layered and steamed in a basket. This steaming process results in a unique, soft texture and allows the flavors of the filling and tortillas to meld together.)
Who is/was your greatest culinary influence?
My mom. She was an excellent cook, and I am reminded of her as I make food for my family and for others.
What’s your favorite midnight snack?
A jericalla! It’s a dessert similar to flan but served individually in cups or ramekins. It’s something that reminds me of home.
What local restaurant deserves more attention and why?
Mariscos El BarCo. It’s one of my favorites, and not too many people know about it, which is a shame. It’s delicious and authentic.
How does food contribute to our community?
As people, we like to share our experiences, to express comfort and joy through food. In our case, we also like to share the feeling of our native city of Guadalajara—one of the most beautiful in the world.
What’s the most unusual thing you have in your refrigerator right now?
Nothing unusual, just delicious Mexican food!
Please share your favorite food memory from when you were a child.
The torta ahogada. I have loved eating it from a bag since I was a child. I’ve eaten it like that ever since.
What’s the kitchen tool you can’t live without?
Because my job is as a cook, I cannot live without my gloves.
If you could have dinner anywhere in the world tonight, where would it be, and why there?
I would immediately go to Guadalajara and simply walk around eating the food of my youth, the food of my family, the food of my history.
My art friends and I have found her Mariscos restaurant, and we go there whenever there’s a Sierra Watercolor Society meeting! She’s right, it’s amazing and delicious, and the people who work there are wonderful, too!