The story so far
A taco trailer, built one weekend at a time.
ProjectTaco is Aresky Bandera’s independent food trailer. It began with a conversation between friends, a second-hand horse trailer, and a decision to learn whatever the project required.
The first ingredient
A conversation with César.
I’m Aresky. I grew up in Menorca, now live in Peebles, and work as a data engineer. My first job was at McDonald’s, where I became fascinated by the way a busy kitchen flows: every station, movement, and tool has a reason for being there.
The idea for ProjectTaco arrived years later through my Mexican friend César. Meals and conversations with César, his wife Sam, and other Mexican friends gave me a deeper curiosity about tacos and the culture around them. I had always wanted to visit Mexico; building this project gave that ambition a direction.
I chose tacos because they are generous, versatile, full of flavour, and made to be eaten with your hands. They can be simple without being boring, and every element matters.
October 2025
The opportunity was a leaky horse trailer.
I found a modified Williams horse trailer on Facebook Marketplace. Its previous owner had begun turning it into a food trailer but never put it into service. I used my savings to buy it, then discovered just how much work it still needed.
There were leaks, rust, electrical problems, and an interior that did not work for the kitchen I had in mind. I removed what was there and started again: a new prep table, gas griddle, bain-maries, and a layout designed around a small team working clearly and quickly.
Most of the conversion happened after my day job, during evenings and weekends. I learned metalwork, plumbing, electrics, kitchen planning, and food safety as the build demanded them. I’m still learning.
Built for service
The folding counter
A custom serving counter brought the metalwork, woodwork, and practical skills together. It is the part of the trailer I am proudest to have made myself.
A turning point
The first shine
Cleaning the stainless-steel walls took patience. When the old surface finally began to shine again, the trailer started to feel recoverable—and the project felt real.
The system
Everything has a purpose
The aim is a kitchen that reaches a natural flow, from preparation to service: the efficiency that first caught my attention, applied to food I am proud to serve.
Why tacos?
A recipe for life.
For me, a taco is made in the same way as a full life. The filling, fat, acid, salsa, herbs, and lime all need their own preparation. Separately they are useful; brought together with balance, they become something more.
Life has side quests too. You learn different skills and collect experiences without always knowing how they will connect. ProjectTaco is where many of mine have met: cooking, systems, making things, solving problems, and feeding people.
Throughout 2026 I developed the menu by cooking for friends, reading, travelling, visiting restaurants, and testing each recipe again and again. Pork al pastor became part of the opening menu. The green salsa, red salsa, and pico de gallo are made in-house, while Sam shared the recipe for our Carlota de limón.
This is an evolving taco menu: respectful of where tacos come from, shaped by the people who have taught me, and adapted to the fresh ingredients available in Scotland. One day, I hope the project takes me to Mexico so I can learn there and keep improving.
Still a project
From first idea to first service.
The trailer reached its final build stage in September 2026 and is completing its last checks before opening.
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October 2025
The trailer
A chance find on Facebook Marketplace becomes the start of ProjectTaco.
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Evenings & weekends
The rebuild
The old interior comes out and a small working kitchen takes its place.
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Throughout 2026
The menu
Friends become willing testers as recipes, salsas, and service ideas are refined.
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7 November 2026
Peebles Bonfire
The first public service—and the beginning of ProjectTaco’s next chapter.
Follow the first chapter
See what happens next.
Build updates, menu tests, and news about the first service will be shared on Instagram. Planning an event? Take a look at the menu or tell us what you have in mind.