Like a Local Series
Mountain biking and breakfast tacos…who wouldn’t love it here?
Blending their two favorite passions, tacos and the outdoors, Vanessa Ford and Megan Dunegan have found their desert paradise in Fruita, CO. As Fruita locals for four and a half years, and co-owners of the local food truck Tacorado, here’s their inside scoop on what makes Fruita so special.
What brought you to Fruita?
I [Vanessa] was a mountain biking tour guide in Moab (my dream job that got me out of Kentucky) before moving to Austin, TX. After 8 years there in the cycling and outdoors industry, I got an itch to come back to the desert. Moab had exploded and didn’t seem the same anymore. I had always liked Fruita so I contacted Colorado Backcountry Biker (CBB) bike shop to see if they needed help. I came for an interview with Megan and she got hired at the local hospital and I got hired at CBB. A month later we sold our house in Austin, bought a house here and moved.
What sparked your vision for Tacorado?
The main thing we missed about Austin was tacos. Especially breakfast tacos. So we started making our own and sharing with friends who encouraged us to start a food trailer. In 2016 we bought a cart and thanks to Sherri and Mark Brown at the Gofer convenience store, we were able to use their kitchen and set up right on the circle. In 2018, we got an enclosed trailer with a kitchen and set up next to Bestslope Coffee. This year we are setting up next to CBB Bike shop with their awesome patio!
Why tacos?
I [Megan] grew up in Texas and wanted to bring its flavors to our new home. Our food is unique for this area and people seem to like it, so we are now going into our 3rd year this season. We make everything fresh, including the flour tortillas! So while it’s a bit time consuming, it’s very rewarding when people keep coming back.
As a local, what is your insider tip on things to do in Fruita?
We love hiking, biking, trail running and paddling (all of that with a dog or two). The best sunsets are after an evening bike ride at BLM’s 18 Road trails. The CBB Tuesday night shop rides at 18 Road seem to have the best sunsets because they provide post-ride food too!
We also love the festivals, especially the Mike the Headless Chicken Festival. At the festival, be sure to attend Chicken Poop Bingo! You gotta do it at least once in your life.
What makes Fruita special to you?
The family feel of the town, everyone is very welcoming, supportive and willing to lend a hand if needed.
With tasty flavors and world-class trails, find your paradise in Fruita, Colorado. Spring is sneaking up quick – plan your trip today!
