Just outside the BP gas station on the corner of Samford Avenue and Gay Street sits Auburn's newest taco truck, Traffic Light Cafe, decked out for the fall season. Customers can sit outside and listen to music while enjoying freshly-made gourmet tacos.
Founder Dan Neil keeps the business running with chef Zac LaBorde, who has a degree in hotel and restaurant management from Auburn University.
"The whole concept was to introduce a taqueria that uses the freshest ingredients around," said Mike Lee, friend of Neil and LaBorde.
"And there's a really strong sense of community here - the taco place is like a beacon where we can all meet and hang out."
LaBorde, also known as "Chef," said he loves what he does.
"It's not a job, it's a career," he said. "I have inventory and dishes I have to do, but I get to hang out with cool people coming by all the time, make tacos and enjoy this beautiful weather."
LaBorde enjoys spending time with his customers and loves seeing the same people every day.
"A bunch of my professors also have been coming by saying they heard about the taco truck, but not the one on campus," he said. "They're like, 'this is what you're doing with what we taught you?' and they're impressed."
Although there is a menu, LaBorde said his best tacos are the ones he comes up with on the spot. Laborde often comes up with new combinations people aren't expecting.
First-time customer Rachel Coleman said she enjoyed her taco. She said she didn't know what she wanted, so LaBorde told her he would surprise her.
"He made something up for her and guessed what she liked," said customer Ash Curtis. "He's called "Chef " for a reason -- he does what he's good at."
People often ask LaBorde how he got into cooking.
"My mom told me she was going to quit cooking dinner when I was about 7, and I got tired of eating spaghetti and cereal for breakfast and dinner, so I just started branching out," he said. "I'm actually going to start offering Philly cheesesteaks and hotdogs. I have all the stuff to do it, I just have to find the right buns."
LaBorde likes the truck aspect of the business and not having the issues of dealing with an actual building.
"It's small, but the right size for what I have to do," he said. "Everything is clean and I have more than enough to work with."
The taco truck frequently has live music for customers to enjoy.
"I had this girl walk over here and ask if she could play some music," LaBorde said. "She blew me away with her singing, and I was like 'free tacos for you.'"
People are also welcome to draw on the dry erase board that fully covers the truck. LaBorde said a number of art students live near the taco truck and frequently stop by.
"They're like 'man, we just want to start drawing on here,' and I was like, 'challenge accepted.' Anyone can draw on it as long as they keep it clean," LaBorde said.
But there's more to LaBorde than cooking food.
"I have a passion for brewing beer and having a good time," he said. "And I don't care that we're having a losing season right now, because I love Auburn, and that's just more of a reason to party."
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