Q: Where can I find good tacos?

Tom: Is there really such a thing as a bad taco? There are a number of places around town where you can grab some outstanding ones. So much so we published our own Unpretentious Guide to Tacos last June. Some of my personal favorites are the birria tacos at Maria’s on South Boulevard, the beef tongue tacos at Tacos El Nevado (both Central Avenue and South Boulevard locations), and the beef cheek tacos at Puerta in Elizabeth.

Q: I saw in this morning’s UP newsletter about how bird flu is affecting the availability of eggs as well as the recent story about the salmonella egg recall at Costco and other places. Where can I find eggs I can trust?
Tom: These terrible outbreaks have definitely made eggs a little more scarce — as well as the fact that even healthy chickens biologically cut back their egg production as the weather gets colder. Your best bet is to head to your local farmers market. Although many of the seasonal markets are closed for the year, there are a number of local markets operating year-round (albeit some with reduced hours). There, you can speak to the farmers directly about how the chickens are cared for and how egg production is handled. A personal caution: once you start getting eggs directly from the farmer, you’ll find it difficult to go back to the supermarket. You can see and taste the difference.

Have a question for us? Email us at editor@unpretentiouspalate.com and we’ll answer it on our next Concierge Thursday!