Author: Jacky Falkenberg
Just when you thought Ithaca had it all, Jorge Bouras and David Farahi bring Collegetown Dos Amigos Tacos, its first truly authentic Mexican food with a California flare. From juicy carne asada tacos to hot, cheesy quesadillas, this food truck is sure to satisfy any Mexican food cravings you may have from home or your last spring break trip.
Bouras and Farahi met during rush week for their fraternity and became best friends when they took a trip to Mexico together. The idea sprouted when they took a class (Developing A Hospitality Entrepreneurship Business Plan) last fall and started to work on their initial business plan.
Bouras grew up eating authentic Mexican food at home, while Farahi always loved food trucks. Farahi found himself constantly recommending his beloved Mexican food truck favorites to friends and family and was always met with praise and gratitude for the introduction. He loved how food trucks removed the barrier created by the front and back of house separation, and connected the customer with the creative mind who prepared their food.
Photo by Nicole Hamilton
So why start a taco truck given their love of Mexican food? “There’s more to introducing Mexican food than just giving it to our friends. Part of it was that I wanted real experience in the Food & Beverage industry. It’s a great way to introduce the community to flavors and foods I loved at home. Plus, it’s an easier way to get the food across to a broader audience,” Bouras explains.
Knowing they didn’t have a lot of culinary experience, the two partnered with Sam Epps, the head chef of Gola Osteria. Epps has an immense love for Mexican food, coupled with an extensive culinary background, which features work under the famed Mario Batali.
Dos Amigos is truly a group effort, as Bouras and Farahi wanted the greater Cornell community to get involved in the creation of their enterprise. They hired Cornell student Nicole Hamilton to work on the branding of the truck. Bouras and Farahi also said that their business could not have been realized without the help of Kathy Servoss, Executive Assistant to the Superintendent of Public Works, and Kevin Sutherland, Mayor Svante Myricks Chief of Staff.
Their ultimate goal is to use Dos Amigos as a platform for Cornell students to gain true experience in the foodservice industry, and eventually have shifts on the truck count as practice credit at the Hotel School. The more they can use authentic Mexican food to bring the Ithaca community together, the better.
Photo by Nicole Hamilton
In the meantime, they are serving up their delicious tacos at their location on Eddy St. and Dryden. Their hours range from 10pm-2pm Tuesday through Saturday, but you can also find their tasty tacos at various charity events in the next upcoming months.
As for the food, Farahi strongly recommends Jorge’s green salsa (that people may mistake for guacamole) and the combination quesadilla, while Bouras loves the carne asada tacos on their in-truck homemade tortillas. However, they both agree that the real winner is the churros with dulce de leche. Bouras explains that “although our current hours target a late night crowd, we offer a real, fresh gourmet option that should be enjoyed just as much by the midnight snackers as by anyone simply looking for a bite to eat.”
Their tentative opening date is August 27th, but be sure to follow them on instagram (@dosamigosfood) and Facebook to find their soft opening locations during Orientation Week.
