Steve Hilton, the British political strategist running for governor of California, faced ridicule after posting a video in which he referred to a hard-shell taco from the fast-food chain Del Taco as a 'street taco'. The video, shared on social media, showed Hilton outside a Del Taco location in Barstow, holding what he called a 'Barstow street taco' from the 'original Del Taco'.
Criticism was swift in a state where tacos are considered a staple. Gustavo Arellano, a Los Angeles Times columnist and author of a book on Mexican food history, noted that the first Del Taco was in Yermo, not Barstow, and that the item was 'definitely not a street taco'. Others called the description 'instantly disqualifying'.
Hilton defended himself, saying the restaurant called it a 'Barstow street taco' and that his running mate, Gloria Romero, had worked there as a teen. Commenters pointed out that the menu actually lists it as a 'Barstow taco'. Hilton, a Republican endorsed by Donald Trump, has pledged to cut taxes and tackle affordability, arguing that Democratic 'one-party rule' has failed the state.
