Editor's note: Sadly, Taco Gang announced its last day of business will be Friday, March 29.

You might spot Armando Luna ringing his bike bell for three minutes straight on the Ding Ding Pedalpalooza ride that he organizes, or see him advocating for Portland bicycle infrastructure via Bike Loud and the Street Trust. He also tries to explore as much of the city as possible. On the app wandrer.earth, he recently ranked in the top 10 among local users, having covered close to 50 percent of the city’s roads.

A certain route is well-trodden: once a week, he bikes from his house in Northeast Portland to Taco Gang, the food cart on SE Belmont and 26th Avenue. Owner Leo Mendoza and his mother, Ana, make tacos on handmade tortillas, stuff burritos as wide as they are tall with homemade chiles rellenos, and scoop fluffy rice and creamy refried beans, all served with a stoplight of salsas. 

Standard order “The quesadilla is just so much food and flavor,” he says. “I made the mistake once of eating a whole quesadilla. Now I just eat half of it and take the other half home.” Carnitas is his meat of choice. He also drops by for specials like crunchy potato-stuffed tacos dorados or red pozole with pork.

His schedule When Taco Gang announces its chile relleno burrito on Instagram, Luna drops what he’s doing and pedals toward the cart. “There’s a nice construction to [the burrito]. It’s not oozing out cheese,” he says. The burritos frequently sell out. 

Dress code Mendoza also bikes. “He actually had Taco Gang cycling caps made.” 

The scene Taco Gang and neighboring beer cart Earthlab Libations are favorites with folks on two wheels. “Almost every single time I come for lunch I see another bike person.” Mendoza and Luna also talk music, like the latest Andre 3000 album. “He’s really into hip-hop, and I’m really into hip-hop.” 

On driving to Taco Gang “I’ve only ever driven here one time. My daughter came home from college, and I picked her up from the bus and we came straight here.” 

Worst ride conditions In December, he made his way to Taco Gang during the atmospheric river. Fenders and a rain jacket proved insufficient; he’s now the proud owner of a pair of rain chaps.

Why he keeps coming back “I like the food, and I want Leo to stay in business. I don’t want to not have the choice of getting that food anymore.”