Saul Magana only had one critique when he moved to the Flathead Valley four years ago. 

“It needs more street food, more flavor,” he said. 

That’s exactly what Magana’s own food truck promises. Opened in August 2025, Taqueria Jalisco brings a mix of traditional Western Mexican and California-fusion street foods to Evergreen. Everything is made from scratch with the company’s slogan in mind — originales de Jalisco, inolvidables en sabor, translating to originals of Jalisco, unforgettable in flavor. 

“It was really scary to open a business. It’s a lot of money and everything,” said Magana. “It’s hard to have a business, but it’s paid off in the end to have [my] own team.”   

He first ventured into the restaurant industry in 2014 and quickly cycled through every position from host to manager to chef. It was while working at Bella Italia Ristorante in Evergreen that Magana came across an unused lot near the intersection of U.S. 2 and Montana 35 and the idea for a food truck that paid homage to his cultural roots was born.   

Located along the Pacific Coast of Mexico, the state of Jalisco is known as the birthplace of many of the country’s most well-known cultural phenomena, including mariachi music and tequila. The culinary traditions are just as rich, featuring an assortment of slow-cooked meats and hearty sauces imbued with herbs and chillis. 

A family recipe for birria takes center stage at Taqueria Jalisco. The combination of beef and pork is marinated in a blend of adobo spices fine-tuned over generations by Magana’s mother and grandmother. The signature dish is one of the six meat options available for each of the food truck’s offerings. 

Magana said that he and his employees typically start prepping the day’s ingredients by 8 a.m. each morning. They use the kitchen of Bella Italia under an agreement with the owners. Everything is transferred a few hundred yards to the food truck, where employees assemble the final tacos, burritos and sandwiches on demand. 

“I think that makes a difference,” said Magana. “We prepare everything daily.” 

The fresh flavors and family recipes have already secured a spot for Taqueria Jalisco in the Kalispell food scene. So many customers have become regulars, Magana joked that he recognized most of the people stopping by the food truck throughout the day.  

The positive reception also has Magana thinking about possible expansions, such as a second food truck or a permanent storefront location. He also has ideas for more menu items inspired by his time in California, including birria-topped ramen and tripas. 

For now, though, Magana said he is satisfied seeing his customers leave with a smile on their faces. 

“They’re happy, that makes me happy too,” he said. “When I see the reviews, it makes me so happy that I’m doing the right thing.”   

Taqueria Jalisco is located at 2017 U.S. Highway 2 in Evergreen. The truck is open Monday through Saturday from 11:30 a.m. to 8 p.m. 

Reporter Hailey Smalley can be reached at 406-758-4433 or [email protected]. If you value local journalism, pledge your support at dailyinterlake.com/support. 

    The Taqueria Jalisco food truck in Evergreen on Friday, April 17. (Casey Kreider/Daily Inter Lake)
 Casey Kreider   

    Tomatillo sauce is added to a Jalisco Burrito at the Taqueria Jalisco food truck in Evergreen on Friday, April 17. (Casey Kreider/Daily Inter Lake)
 Casey Kreider   

    The Perla Torta from the Taqueria Jalisco food truck in Evergreen. (Casey Kreider/Daily Inter Lake)
 Casey Kreider   

    The Quesabirria from the Taqueria Jalisco food truck in Evergreen. (Casey Kreider/Daily Inter Lake)
 Casey Kreider