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The soccer matches start early most Sunday mornings at Raleigh’s Kiwanis Park. Like the soccer fields at Dix Hospital, the teams and spectators are almost exclusively Latino and the taqueria and pupuseria trucks show up to sell breakfast and lunch.

One of my favorite taquerias in Raleigh, the original El Mandado on Atlantic Blvd, recently changed management and the barbacoa tacos just aren’t as great as they once were. But sometimes, when a hot dog loves a hamburger very much: a taco is born.

Those tears of sadness became tears of joy the moment I tasted the barbacoa tacos from the Tacos Estilo Hidalgo truck. I was laughing hysterically with an open maw filled with taco meat. I’m going back this weekend for some pork and I have high hopes and a healthy disregard for my new reputation as an overly-emotional gringo. Raleigh is nowhere near the taco capitol that Durham has become. There was a feature on Durham taquerias in Gourmet Magazine a few months ago and each-and-every one of the restaurants listed are worth a visit. If you have a favorite taqueria, or a taco truck that you recommend in the area, please list it in the comments section. And google map links and/or GPS coordinates are appreciated.