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Tucson’s south side houses a vibrant taco truck scene, offering an array of Mexican flavors. While many vendors specialize in classic taco fillings such as carne de res (beef) or puerco (pork), El Chivo de Oro sets itself apart with its signature goat birria tacos and an unwavering commitment to quality.
Maria Elena Domínguez, the owner and founder, has served up her beloved recipes since opening the business in 2008. For Domínguez, running El Chivo de Oro isn’t just about making food.
“I liked building a small community,” said she said.
Before launching the food truck, Domínguez sold jewelry until the 2007-08 financial crisis hit.
“Jewelry sales were slowing, so I shifted my focus to food — everyone will need it,” she said.
In the past, she worked 12 years at the Superior Court House.
“I was contracted because the contractor knew my aunt, who worked in the kitchen, and thanks to her, I started working,” Domínguez said.
She began with small tasks, such as fixing soda machines, before eventually becoming an assistant cook for five years.
“From one hand to another, food changes in flavor,” Domínguez said. To keep her flavors consistent, she handles all of the cooking herself.
Her dedication means late nights in the kitchen, often starting meal preparations around 7 or 8 p.m. and working well past midnight. While the workload is demanding, she remains motivated by her passion for food and the relationships she has built with customers.
Despite the small kitchen, the taco selection features 15 different options, including goat birria. Most tacos are priced around $3, while cabeza tacos are just $1.
For a heartier experience, customers can enjoy their tacos with a side of rich, flavorful broths made from cabeza or birria — especially popular in the colder months. The menu also features menudo, tortas, sopes, burritos, combo plates, and Sonoran hot dogs.
On my visit to El Chivo de Oro, I was met with a dilemma—so many options, and only so much room to eat. With all the buzz surrounding their goat meat, I knew I had to give it a try, and I wasn’t disappointed.
I started with an al pastor taco, which was beautifully marinated and bursting with balanced flavors—a slight sweetness perfectly complemented by a hint of spice. Next, I tried a cabeza taco. Normally, I’m hesitant when it comes to cabeza, but this one exceeded my expectations. The meat was buttery, tender, and unexpectedly rich, leaving me wanting more.
Finally, I sampled the birria taco, and it was a true highlight. Slightly spicy, subtly sweet, and incredibly juicy, it was everything a great birria taco should be — deeply satisfying, with layers of bold flavor.
Both the cabeza and birria tacos can be ordered with either beef or goat meat, allowing customers to tailor their experience to their preference.
El Chivo de Oro is located at 457 W. Irvington Rd. For more information, Keep up with El Chivo de Oro on Facebook.
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