Stef Soto, Taco Queen

Tía Perla is Stef’s family food truck. Tía Perla reflects how Stef is her own antagonist, as well as highlights what Stef needs to do to overcome her self-doubt and identity struggles. Stef views herself poorly because she believes Tía Perla makes her uncool and different. For Stef, the truck is also the embodiment of her identity and how much she wishes she fit in better. At the outset of the novel, Stef’s family has owned Tía Perla for a few years. The fresh coat of paint the family gave the truck when they bought it is peeling away, and the Mexican food her dad cooks, coupled with his music, make Stef feel embarrassed to be seen with Tía Perla. As the story progresses, Tía Perla once again becomes a symbol of hope for Stef and her family. With the regulations threatening food trucks, Stef starts to remember how important Tía Perla used to be to her, which makes her see how important the truck still is to her family. Once Stef understands that Tía Perla is her dad’s equivalent to Stef’s beloved art supplies, Stef feels guilty for how she’s acted. She suddenly knows that her dad needs Tía Perla because the truck gives him purpose, and this results in Stef being willing to do whatever is necessary to keep Tía Perla on the road. Stef speaking at the city council meeting and repainting the truck marks the moment she returns to her family and her roots.

In addition to being a type of antagonist, Tía Perla is also a hero. In Chapter 33, when the power goes out prior to the dance, Stef realizes Tía Perla is a solution, rather than a problem. Instead of being ashamed to be seen with the truck, Stef suddenly realizes she can use Tía Perla to get something that is important to her—money for art supplies. This moment changes Stef’s outlook on the food truck and on food trucks in general. Tía Perla now feels like part of Stef’s family because the truck saved something important to her. As a result, Stef comes to understand how Tía Perla and other food trucks give people chances to communicate and express themselves. Trucks serving food from several cultures are seen throughout the book, and their drivers are much like Stef’s dad—seeking a way to make a living while holding on to their homes and cultures. Sharing ethnic food is one such way, and it is similar to what art does for Stef. Where she doesn’t always feel comfortable making speeches or talking about herself, Stef expresses her feelings by drawing. Like cooking for her dad, this lets Stef be herself. Thus, Tía Perla represents the importance of Stef’s family staying true to who they are.