Week 8 - El Comal

El Comal
North Park
http://www.elcomalsd.com/

Eater #1 – Azteca Taco, Adobada Quesadilla, Horchata
The place looked great, brightly painted walls and a well stocked bar. The food looked great. The cactus tasted OK, kinda smoky… but the chips were greasy. The beef was marginal - no real flavor, . The salsa’s were really good, expecially the green – way spicy and flavorful.

If you have never had a traditional quesadilla – these are not what you expect. Deep fried with queso blanco, sour cream (I think) and cotjia cheese. El Comal had a few different ones, I ordered one stuffed with Adobado. The pork was tender and spicy – but I couldn’t get over the grease. I can still smell the canola oil that they drenched it in.

Oh well.

Eater #2 - Adobada Taco, Beef Gordita
El Comal in North Park San Di-fucking-ego was a great looking little spot tucked in between condos and old houses. The place from the outside looked like it could have been a dry cleaners. But once you walk in the bright colored walls and full bar shelved full of tequila grabs your attention like a little kid selling gum in Rosarito pulling at your shirt, you have to say "No gracias" since it's still a work day. The waitress delivered three tasty salsas ranging from a mild red to a spicy green. Just about everything besides the goat meat on the menu sounded good, but I finally settled on the adobada taco and a beef 'gordita' that was like a shredded beef meat bun in a tortilla. The texture of the tortilla was great, it was soft, thick, and little crispy, crispy on the outside, like a sunburned fat chick. I enjoyed the food and the atmosphere was great besides the 6' 2'' 250lbs sheman sitting behind me eye fucking what I hope was my taco. , I think it would be a neat place for a happy hour taco and vodka. Mahalo. God save the Queen.



Pictures: http://picasaweb.google.com/TacoFriday/Week8

Week 7 - Chiquita's

Chiquita’s
Home Ave near 805 and 94

Eater #1 - Carne Asada Taco with Guacamole and Civiche Tostada
Chiquita’s is one of my favorite restaurants. I have been there many times before. The only disappointment today was that I didn’t order a beer. Damn, a Negra Modello would have been just the thing after a shitty week like this one was.

The chips, salsa and hot carrots came first. They pull the chips screaming out of the hot oil, a dash of salt and they are in front of you… tasty, but too hot to touch. The salsa was “salsa fresca” with plenty of cilantro. Good carrots, too.

I love good civiche, and Chiquita’s is the best. The fish was firm and flavorful, mixed with nice tomatoes and other stuff. If you haven’t tried chiviche, do. Don’t be a sissy. The carne asada was perfect. Thin slices of seasoned beef , tomatoes, lettuce, cotija cheese and Chiquita’s quacamole. The tacos are pretty damn big here, 2 would have killed me.

Kicking it by the fountain on the patio, eating tacos… that is the way to start a weekend.

Eater #2 - Combo: chili rellano, cheese enchilada and carne asada taco
Uh, when you say next door, do you mean Chili's or Flingers? Neither I mean the patio at Chiquita's. When you walk in you're greeted by a full bar with all local looking riff raff, no Zoneys. (Go home Zoneys!) Rather than walking straight to the patio I walked straight to the pisser, where they had a witty piece of prose next to the urinal.

On a beautiful sunny day like today I thought, "Fuck I don't want to go back to the office!", but the patio at Chiquita's eased my worries as I slouched into the iron chair. The combo I had was a chili rellano, cheese enchilada and carne asada taco. All three were well above par and the green creamy chili rellano sauce was the first of its kind for me and was a pleasant surprise, and was the best part of the dish.

I would definitely go back and I put Chiquita's towards the top of the Taco Friday list. Mahalo. God save the Queen.
(is it time to start the weekend yet)

Eater #3 - Combo: chili rellano, chicken enchilada and carne asada taco

I agree that the slightly creamy light green sauce on the chile rellano was a very yummy surprise and probably my favorite part. Although the chicken enchilada was very good too, it was all smothered with a bit too much cheese, but it all tasted good. The carne asada taco was sub-par, especially in comparison to the yumminess of everything else. The meat was chewy, and it was overall pretty bland. But, the rest of the food was so filling I didn't eat the taco and was still overly filled. I think its a bit lame that their 'combos' don't come with beans and rice, and that you have to order chips - even though they bring you salsa (and spicy carrots) automatically, like you are going to just sit there and stare at the salsa with nothing to eat it with.
Sadly there was no witty prose, or funny pictures in the women's bathroom there is a full size mirror which can (sometimes?) be nice.

Pictures: http://picasaweb.google.com/TacoFriday/Week7

Week 6 - El Borrego

El Borrego “The Sheep” Taco Shop
Near Pearson Ford at Fairmont and El Cajon

Eater #1 - Lamb taco, lamb rolled taco, quesadilla, horchata.
I was pleasantly surprised when I walked in the door at El Borrego. Clean, inviting atmosphere. While I waited I had time to check out the Mexican handcrafts that decorated the walls. The woman behind the counter was very sweet, we expected to order at the counter, but she shooed us back to our table and took our order there.

The presentation was excellent. She placed a big earthenware bowl full of cilantro, limes and onions on the table and then brought the food.

The rice was killer, the “salad” of tomatoes, pickled peppers and queso blanco was damn good. The lamb taco, rolled taco and the quesadilla were not good at all. It might be that I just don’t like lamb, but it was like eating carnitas that had gone strange. The sour cream on the rolled taco was all soupy. The meat was nicely prepared, but I couldn’t get past the taste.

Nice people, nice place – I won’t be back.
- Oh, the bathroom was nice, too. Not funky at all, especially compared to other taco shops.

Eater #2 - Lamb taco, lamb rolled taco, quesadilla, horchata.
I don't like lamb. I liked the restaurant with the bright colors and decorations. The best part of the food was the rice. I gotta say it was the best taco shop rice I've had in a long time. Because all they had was barbacoa (lamb) the options were limited. The combo of a taco, rolled taco, quesadilla, rice and chili salad was the order of the day. I appreciate the effort and presentation, but lamb just aint my thing. I'm glad I tried it, but I wont be going back. Mahalo. God save the Queen.

Pictures: http://picasaweb.google.com/TacoFriday/Week6

Week 5 - Pokéz

Pokéz - Downtown San Diego
http://www.pokezsd.com/

Eater #1: Veggie Taco, Beef Taco.
OK – All my blood is still in my stomach, the portions are HUGE. It’s nap time.
I ordered a couple of tacos, expecting, well, tacos. The Beef taco was regular size, loaded up with nice shredded beef, lettuce, tomatoes and a bunch of grated cheddar. The meat was good, but the taco shell was disappointing, similar to the boxed ones that you find in the white-guy section of the supermarket.
The veggie taco was killer… and it was a frickin monster. They made it in a fried flour tortilla, and it was loaded. Rice, beans, guacamole, cheese, lettuce, tomatoes – and all of it was good. It also came with a side of rice and beans. Good beans covered in jack.
I nabbed a taste of the chicken off of another eaters tostada salad – next time that is what I’m getting. I don’t know how they made it, but it was damn good.
I was kinda surprised, Pokéz is a sit down restaurant. The wait staff was a bunch of 20 somethings – all tatted up. Real cool place, the late 80s tunes were blaring, the walls covered in original, indie art.
I’m going back, next time for chicken tacos and beer… as long as they don’t come in those crappy shells.

Eater #2: Combo 5 - beef taco, cheese enchilada, chili rellano, rice and beans.
God damn salsa was pretty god damn good. The god damn #5 combo of beef taco, cheese enchilada and god damn chili rellano, rice and beans was 6.8 of 10. The chili god damn rellano really tied the plate together and salvage what would have been an average tasting combo. The atmosphere was god damn unique with the different art stylings and tattooed staff. With a big god damn group of people the wait for the food was god damn long and combined with the tasty aromas from the kitchen, it was god damn hell. But at least the god damn waitress kept the chips and salsa full. All and all a great god damn place and would definitely eat there again with so many tasty things to try on the menu. Fin...god damnit. God save the Queen

Eater #3: 1 beef taco, 1 cheese enchilada, beans and rice.
The rice was a bit bland, but the rest was all top notch! My combo wasn't actually on the menu but the server was more than happy to accommodate. Oh and they have a good selection of vegetarian/vegan dishes, which is a nice option. The service was a bit slow, but my theory is that if you are going to a Mexican food restaurant you go for the food, not the service. The two servers I saw were both really nice, it was just a little slow. The food was good, which is what really matters. I'll be back for sure.

Eater #4: 5 Potato Rolled Tacos
Yum!!! I've been to this fine establishment before....many years ago.... because it was the only place that could make vegan food taste good! So, feeling nostalgic, I ordered the potato rolled tacos with a side of rice, vegan style. Basically this just means that they don't put cheese on it and everything is plant based....no yucky beef oil. The diced tomatoes, onions, and cilantro that covered the top of the tacos was fresh, crunchy, and full of flavor. The tacos themselves were very filling, covered in guacamole, and I could only eat 4 of the 5. Great music, wonderful staff, reasonable prices. Love this place.

Eater #5: Chicken Tostada Salad
Great location, great prices and an excellent menu. Walked up to the restaurant and was instantly drawn to all of the "art work" on the outside of the building. Band flyers and stickers flooded the walls. I was regrettably unaware that Burlesque shows were held in the downtown vicinity. Salsa was excellent on my yummy Chicken Tostada Salad. I scarfed it down in no time at all. The bathroom was interesting. Instead of a handle on the door, there is a hole with a man's body drawn around it, so you are looking through his butt. Graffiti and more "artwork" everywhere and there are signs to the "shitter" to make sure you don't miss after all of the greasy tacos go through your system. Had to ask for our check, so maybe dinner might workout better. If you're not in a hurry that is.

Eater #6 - something with a chili relleno
If you ever wonder where the tattoed, pierced-in-the-most-ridiculous-of-places dickheads went to work after Tower Records closed down, visit Pokez on 10th St where they have been reincarnated to serve some tasty Mexican food.

After catching a whiff of one of the servers who wore a tank top to show off his bitchin' tats (and, who along the rest of the lot, served with the same indifference minus the cheekiness and gusto of a server at Dick's Last Resort) I chose to minimize the risk of infection from my possibly washed plastic cup by requesting a straw at the front counter. I'm sure the Pokez peeps are clean enough, but the body "art" made me naseous just thinking of the used and likely dirty needles that made their look possible. The sloppy paint thrown across canvasses and pocelain statuettes throughout the place (which might be considered "cool" by the artsy types) did not do anything to tell me this was going to be a fine dining experience.

It was the most delicious Mexican food prepared and served by shitheads that I've ever tasted.

I had the Number 14... a savory Chile Relleno that was unbreaded and cooked to a perfection which allowed the taste of the unknown, watery cheese-stuffed scrumptious chile to leave me wishing I ordered only that. The 14 came with the most succulent Carne Asada taco that, on a night of drinking Downtown, I would have consumed heartily. But earlier in the day I finished my lunch from Phil's BBQ from the day before, so I couldn't stomach the tortilla shell. Its flavor and Old Town Mexican Cafe texture was GREAT, but I didn't want to get filled on the massive double maize shell, being sober and all. Instead I dumped the contents out on the flavorful rice and beans. My gluttony was also sated by the chips and kick-ass salsa Tatoo Boy and Girl brought to the table while we waited 15 minutes for our lunch. Everything served was very good.

Reality: Very good food and the unwashed atmosphere made it feel like Lemon Grove hole-in-the-wall genuine Mexican cuisine. A great Downtown location.

What could be better: A walk up counter where you could pay individually and not have to worry about who owes what when the bill comes. Also, Pokez could use a self-serve salsa bar where you don't have to deal with Freddy or Fredericka Tattoo looking at you crosseyed when you ask for something.

On the outside looking in: I'm an asshole. Taking into account the complete douchebaggery of the art freaks and tatted up caricatures working at Pokez I'd give this place a solid "A" for really good food and a "C-" for atmosphere. The food was delicious and the best feeling was getting out of there. The same feeling as leaving a good shithole place in Mexicali except you exit into the streets of my beloved Downtown San Diego.

Pictures: http://picasaweb.google.com/TacoFriday/Week5

Week 4 - Tacos El Gordo

Tacos El Gordo - Chula Vista
http://www.sandiegoreader.com/places/tacos-el-gordo/

Eater #1: 3 Tacos - Adobado, Cabesa, Asada - Horchata

From the few reviews I had some read, I high hopes for El Gordo’s and they did not disappoint. The menu features some tacos that I hadn’t expected.. like chorizo and brains. I remember eating cabesa when I was a kid, my grandfather would do whole beef head pit barbeque for large family parties. I had to try it!

The cabesa tacos at El Gordos were killer. The meat was tender and just a little spicy from the green salsa that was slathered over the top. The stuff just melts in your mouth. Next up was the asada taco – the meat had a smoky, peppery seasoning and perfect guacamole on top. Really good. I saved the adobado taco for desert. The spit that the adobado was cooked on was about 3 feet tall and 15 inches thick topped with a half a pineapple. The cook would soak the corn tortillas in the drippings from the spit before he filled the taco with the thin cut, red pork meat, a light green sauce, onions and cilantro. His hands moved too fast to see the entire process. Great, spicy flavor… damn it was good.

Hands down these were some of the best tacos I have ever eaten. If I was going to go crazy and try the brains – I’d do it at El Gordo.

Mas cabasa por favor.

Eater # 2 - 4 Adobado tacos
Tacos Mu Fuckin El Gordos. Al Pastor that I dub the best North of the border. The place smells appetizing from the time you step out of your ride and by the time you get to the order counter you’re ready to eat them out of business. Rather than do that I ordered 4 pastor tacos with the works (cilantro, onions, salsa, and creamy tangy green sauce). Fuck, now I want 3 more tacos just thinking about them. Mahalo & God save the Queen.

Eater #3 - 2 Tacos - Asada, Adobado - Horchata
You can't be afraid of the big stack of pork on the spit. The guy has a sword (this was no knife!) about 18 inches long, and just slices off juicy tidbits of the adobada directly onto the mini tortillas that he just warmed on the griddle. Then throws on some cilantro and onions, slops the salsa on top of that, wraps it up in paper and hands you your plate. I also got a carne asada taco, so walking through the open kitchen he passed the guy making the cabeza tacos, and went to the guy making the asada tacos, which had salsa on it and was similarly wrapped in the paper. Once I got my horchata I was ready to go. I went to the salsa bar, but alas there is no salsa bar, just two bins - one with sliced limes and the other with sliced radishes.
The adobada was tasty, the salsa complemented it well - there was a couple of pieces of fat, but what else can you expect from pork. With a little lime juice the carne asada was just as tasty, and pretty tender - not tough and chewy like it can sometimes be. I could have had one more of these tiny tacos, but 2 was sufficient.

Final word: Good, authentic food. Other than the distance, I'd go back.

Eater #4 - 2 Quesadillas, Coke
El Taco Gordo.....a bright yellow building in the middle of, what I would consider, a questionable part of town. I was pleasantly surprised at the cleanliness and hospitality that awaited inside. I know, I have set up this blog as an over privileged-snob, but I promise you I am far from that; just a little sheltered on life experiences when it comes to various neighborhoods in San Diego. El Taco Gordo is just the place for someone that would like to try a piece of TJ without leaving the states. With no more than a handful of items on the menu, the variety they offer is incredible. Just think brains, stomach, tongue....the list goes on. Being one that does not partake in red meat (they don't have chicken or fish), I was pretty limited on my selections. The staff was very polite when I ordered my quesadillas and even tried to hide their shock at my request for no meat. The tortillas taste home-made and the 'secret sauce' that they included was yummy. They also have grilled onions and cacti for those more brave than I. This is not a place for Vegans though, be warned. Great drink selections, a Coke place, and every Mexican whipped drink you'd like. Overall....completely enjoyable and a great atmosphere to enjoy some tacos (if you eat beef and pork).

Pictures: http://picasaweb.google.com/TacoFriday/Week4

Week 3 - Porkyland

PorkyLand - Barrio Logan - http://www.goporkyland.com/

Eater #1: 3 Mini tacos - Buche, Al Pastor, Carnitas.
Ok – This week was supposed to be El Carrito, but the damn place is closed. We ended up at Porkyland… it’s on the same block as El Carrito and looked promising. Nice place. The walls were painted in bright colors and the people were friendly. You could see right into the open kitchen, were there was this huge (I guess) fire pit oven that was not being used. The salsa bar had red, green and salsa fresca. None of that damn roasted chipotle in sight (good). There was also a big bowl of cilantro mixed with onions and a bowl of cut up limes.

While waiting for Eater #2 to order I noticed something I’d never heard of on the menu. “Buche” - sounded like maybe it was some kinda sweet taco. I asked the girl behind the counter what it was. She says “It’s, uh, pork, umm” and rubbed her stomach. I had to try it. I ordered 3 mini tacos – Buche, Al Pastor and Carnitas.

The tacos looked really good when they arrived, just juicy enough without being too wet. It was just the meat in a tiny corn tortilla – you added what you wanted from the salsa bar – just the way it should be.

I dove into the Buche taco – ½ of it in 1 bite. Tender, flavorfull, chew a little more, distinct ass taste. I guess I’m a little too white for the Buche, I had to spit it into my napkin…but I’m betting that if I had grown up eating the stuff, it would have been excellent.

The Carnitas was next. Nice, shredded pork – it went really well with the green salsa, line juice and cilantro/ onions.

I love Al Pastor, and the ones at Porkyland were damn good. The meat was moist, the corn tortillas are good and it was seasoned perfectly – Go there for the Al Pastor – it kills.

Great day in San Diego to sit outside and eat tacos… just avoid the pig tummy.

Eater #2: 2 tacos Al Pastor, rice and beans. Coke.
Taco time plus 20 minutes and I have no rumbling in the bowels. That means quality tacos for Porkyland. The al-pastor combo with rice and beans is sitting nice and was a tasty treat for the 2 minutes it took to woof it down. The meat was tender, juicy, and the salsa verde complemented it well. The rice and beans need some more work rather than just opening a can of Rosarita. Not my first choice to go back too, but I would recommend the al-pastor taco. Mahalo & God save the Queen.


Pictures: http://picasaweb.google.com/TacoFriday/Week3

Week 2 - Cantina Mayahuel

Cantina Mayahuel – Near 30th and Adams, Normal Heights.

www.myspace.com/cantinamayahuel
-map-

Eater #1: Shrimp Taco, Tasajo Taco, Chips and Salsa. Negra Modello.
The tacos are different here than what I am used to. Talking to another patron while waiting for them to open at noon, he explained that this is Mexican food from southern Mexico… They used cabbage instead of lettuce and smothered the tacos in chipotle, lime juice and other sauces. The shrimp tacos were good, nice plump shrimps and the right amount of other flavors. The beef tacos were good, but the meat was kinda too chewy… Like they used stuff that should have been made into stew. Overall I liked it.

Sitting on the sunny patio, drinking a Negra Modelo and eating good Mexican food. Damn I’m glad I live in San Diego.

Eater #2: Chicken Taco, (2) Tasajo Taco, Chips and Salsa. Negra Modello.
Right out of the gates Cantina Mayahuel earned one punto de taco for their wall of top-shelf tequila. After munching on some chips and salsa, I made the mistake of going too big and ordering two carne asada tacos (tasajo-style) and a chicken taco. Two tacos on my hungriest day would have been more than enough. The la diabla sauce for the tacos was pretty damn tasty and not nearly as sphincter scarring as it sounds. I would definitely go back and Cantina Mayahuel made a fine benchmark for the Taco Friday saga. I give them 3 puntos de taco out of 5. Mahalo & God save the Queen.

Eater# 3: Eater #2: Chicken Taco, Tasajo Taco, Chips and Salsa. Jamica.
Atmosphere: A small cozy restaurant, very cute, but the side patio tops it all.

Food: Chicken taco, good good stuff. Tasty flavorful chunks of white meat, tons of cabbage topped off with 3 sauces that I guess to be sour cream, a dark rich chili sauce, and one other that is somewhere in between the two. There was a tortilla disaster due to there being too much innards for the poor tortillas to handle, but that is a small issue.
Tesajo style beef taco was decent, but not as good. The meat had great flavor to it, but was tough and hard to chew, not a good cut of meat. Oh yeah, and it had a hair peeking out of the end of it, but hey this is life and shit happens.
Libation: Jamica, not as sweet as I normally like, but it was good and it tasted fresh which is always a plus.

Overall: I tend to like my food hair free, but other than that this was a good spot to relax and have some tacos, and you can bet my next visit will include a margarita with tequila from one of the several shelves of offerings.

Pictures: http://picasaweb.google.com/TacoFriday/Week2