On-On Tacos takes flavors to ‘South-Mex’ level

On-On Tacos quenches cravings for Mexican food with a ‘South-Mex’ twist.

Will Barnwell, owner of ON-ON Tacos, serves a pork taco plate. (Photo contributed)

“South-Mex focuses on local cuisine served on a tortilla,” Will Barnwell said about his food service. He slowly smokes traditional barbecue meats as the base for tacos and adds a twist to toppings.

Barnwell describes his food truck as “current generation, not the sketchy roach coach of the past.” His current hours are Wednesday-Saturday from 4 to 8 p.m. at Blue Pants’ tap room, 500 Lanier Road. ON-ON Tacos also caters events, like corporate lunches, dinner parties and running, cycling and triathlon contests.

A new boom for food trucks is quickly creating a new genre in cuisine, Barnwell said. “Without being saddled with a huge burden of a traditional brick-and-mortar restaurant, food trucks usher in a new mechanism to provide dynamic and creative fare,” he said.

Barnwell admits cooking probably isn’t hereditary, but his family has an outstanding history of ‘foodies.’ His great uncle, Craig Claiborne, was a “New York Times” food critic more than 30 years and credited with “revolutionizing American cuisine from the late 1950s to 1960s,” he said.

On-On Tacos primarily serves patrons of Blue Pants Brewery, so Barnwell infuses their beer flavors into menu choices.

Pork tacos use smoked meat soaked in Pinstripe Stout beer, served with black-bean peach salsa and apple slaw. Marinated in Strawberry Saison, On-On’s chicken taco has roasted jalapeno garlic queso blanco with chimichurri coconut rice. Shrimp tacos feature chorizo sausage and pineapple slaw.

On-On Tacos also sells nachos, quesadillas and coconut rice pudding.

The business name reflects trail-running lore for ‘you’re on the trail’ and a sense of relief when you’re lost but then find your way, he said.

For Barnwell, operating On-On Tacos is an opportunity to share his vision for food with Madison and Huntsville. Food “should be reasonably priced and unreasonably delicious,” he said. “We want to strip out the pretentiousness and provide a unique experience.”

For more information, call On-On Tacos at 256-585-1037, email to onontacos123@gmail.com or visit on-ontacos.com or Facebook/OnOnTacos.