Ruben and Brenda Genera spend their weekday afternoons making and selling tacos out of an RV in Chandler. They could make more money, they say, by heading to Evansville, but that’s not the point.
They are retired, and aren’t really out to make a fortune. Instead, it’s a labor of love.
“This is only like 2 miles from our home,” Ruben said. “And I don’t have to put up with all of that traffic. This is just right for us. We have times when we can relax. If I was in Evansville, I wouldn’t have that. We just want it to be a fun thing.”
TOP: Ruben Genera’s tacos are from a recipe his family has used for many years.
The simple but tasty ingredients for one of Ruben Genera’s tacos.
Nathan Blackford / Courier & Press Ruben’s Taco Wagon in Chandler, Ind.
The taco wagon is a converted RV that Brenda and Ruben Genera drove to Southern Indiana from California four years ago.
LEFT: a colorful sign tells drivers on Indiana 62 that the taco wagon is open for business.
Nathan Blackford / Courier & Press Brenda and Ruben Genera talk with a customer at Ruben’s Taco Wagon in Chandler.
Ruben Genera hands a taco to a customer. The taco wagon is open 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. each weekday.
Ruben owned three Mexican restaurants and a taco wagon when he lived in California. When the couple moved to Boonville four years ago, they drove the entire way in a small RV. Earlier this year, that RV was transformed into Reuben’s Taco Wagon.
“I like cooking, and I thought this would be a way to move around,” he said. “But now, we’re just stationary in one place.”
The taco wagon was ready for business about five months ago, and the Generas were on their way to Evansville when there was a sudden change of plans. Reuben saw a perfect spot along Indiana 62 just east of Chandler in the parking lot of a beauty shop.
“We had a place to park in Evansville,” Ruben said. “But as we came by here one day, I told my wife to pull in here, by the beauty shop. I told her ‘I think the Lord wants us to park there.’ And that’s exactly what happened.”
The Generas said they do have plenty of repeat customers, but get at least a few new customers every day.
“Most of the time, people come here because they have been to other (taco wagons) that they liked,” Brenda said. “We had a girl stop here yesterday for the first time, and she told us she just had to stop because she loves those mom-and-pop places.”
The Generas originally came to Southern Indiana to visit their son and attend his wedding. They liked it and decided to stay. Their son has since moved to Texas, but Brenda and Ruben have settled in here.
“We love it here,” Brenda said. “It is great.”
Ruben’s tacos are not complicated. He takes tortillas, fills them with chicken or steak and then puts toothpicks through the edges to hold them shut. He then deep-fries the taco before adding the rest of the ingredients.
“Ruben’s family has done these tacos for years,” Brenda said. “Probably 25 years. It’s a family recipe.”
The salsa is also a family recipe, and a bit of a secret. Ruben makes the salsa himself and won’t give out many clues about the ingredients. The salsa is made fresh daily.
The taco wagon is only open for lunch and has a limited menu, but it has developed a local fan base. Along with the signature tacos, the taco wagon also offers up tostadas, burritos, nachos and tamales.
“We’re here from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. every day,” Brenda said. “Unless we sell out. Then we just load up and go home.”
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