California Candidate Steve Hilton Mocked for 'Street Taco' Blunder

In a gaffe that has quickly become the talk of the Golden State, British political strategist and California gubernatorial candidate Steve Hilton has found himself on the receiving end of widespread ridicule. The cause? A seemingly innocuous social media post where Hilton, while visiting Barstow, referred to a hard-shell taco from Del Taco as a 'street taco.'

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We just did a great town hall here in Barstow,” Hilton said in a video shared on social media in which he could be seen holding a “Barstow street taco” that he had bought from a “historic location”, the “original Del Taco”.

The mischaracterization, shared in a video from what Hilton called a 'historic location,' immediately drew sharp criticism from those familiar with California's vibrant taco culture. Gustavo Arellano, a prominent voice on Mexican food in the United States and a columnist for the Los Angeles Times, was quick to point out the error, stating that the item was definitively not a 'street' taco, which traditionally features soft corn tortillas.

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The first Del Taco was in Yermo, and that’s DEFINITELY not a ‘street’ taco. Signed, the guy who wrote the book about the history of Mexican food in the United States,” Gustavo Arellano, the Los Angeles Times columnist, said in response.

While Hilton attempted to defend his statement by referencing the restaurant's own menu naming convention – the 'Barstow street taco' – the explanation did little to quell the online storm. For many Californians, the incident underscored a perceived disconnect between the candidate and the local culture he seeks to lead. The swiftness and intensity of the backlash suggest that understanding nuanced local traditions, even culinary ones, is crucial for political aspirants in the state.

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Another person wrote that Hilton’s description was “instantly disqualifying”.

This 'taco-gate' moment, however minor it may seem, comes at a time when voter engagement in California's gubernatorial race is reportedly low. Hilton, who has secured an endorsement from Donald Trump and advocates for lower taxes and tackling affordability, faces an uphill battle. His campaign's platform centers on challenging the state's Democratic 'one-party rule,' but this public relations stumble, amplified by social media, has unfortunately overshadowed his policy discussions, at least for now.

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But Hilton was quick to defend himself, stating that the business called it a “Barstow street taco”.