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Tag: el novillo

  • A Brief History of Tacos Al Pastor

    A Brief History of Tacos Al Pastor

    This simple but complex dish has captured the hearts of people all over the world. Some people call even it the pinnacle of Mexican cuisine. It is the most famous dish from Mexico City: Tacos Al Pastor, truly the perfect blend of sweet and spicy goodness.

    Al Pastor Tacos

    Tacos Al Pastor is really the result from a clash of cultures. Using the vertical spit is very reminiscent of the shwarma or the Turkish kebab.  Mexicans adopted this form of spit roasting from Arab and Lebanese immigrants that came over in the 19th and 20th centuries.

    The earliest photo of the vertical spit is dated 1855.

    Al Pastor, which literally translates to “shepard style.” get’s its name from its original filling of lamb.  Over time locals replaced the lamb with the more common pork and the pita was replaced with the omnipresent tortilla. There are still places where you can find more middle eastern style pastor. Made with lamb on pita bread topped with onion and cilantro these “Oriental” or “Arab” tacos”(tacos arabes) were introduced in 1930s and 1940s and are still popular in Puebla and Mexico City.

    Ultimately, there are a few main components that make up a successful Al Pastor taco: the trompo “vertical spit”, the salsa, and the pineapple. Traditionally, al pastor is made with  spices, achote, chiles, and  is marinated for hours. Then the pork is layered on a vertical spit. The leaner cuts of meat and the fattier cuts are alternated to keep the meat tender during the cooking process.

    As far as salsa goes, the correct amount of heat is key. There have been plenty of Al Pastor tacos ruined by a bland salsa. The salsa, in combination with onions and cilantro, play up the spicy and savory notes in the pork.

    The pineapple is what takes Al Pastor tacos to the next level. The sweetness cuts through the salsa and pork to give it a fresh element that balances the entire taco.The play of savory, spicy sweet all there in a taco, the perfect vehicle to deliver flavor.

    (Note: Don’t overlook the power of a good tortilla: a well-made, fresh tortilla will keep its pliable and soft texture to hold in all the ingredients.)

     

    Some Of Our Favorite Al Pastor Tacos

    Cassave Restaurant

    5412 San Pablo Ave

    Emeryville, CA 94608

    (510) 601-1653

    http://www.cassaverestaurant.com/

     

    Cassave is not technically in Oakland but this taqueria serves a really nice pastor taco with some great flavors

    Tacos El Gordo

    4201 International Blvd

    Oakland Ca 94601

    Tacos El Gordo roasted on a traditional trompo. Tacos El Gordo is an institution serving delicious tacos to one and all.

     

    El Novillo

    1001 Fruitvale Blvd (Guadalajara Restaruant Parking Lot)

    Oakland,Ca 94602

    Popular truck in the fruitvale neighborhood. Slinging delcious pastor all day.

     

    Tacos Y Chelas

    Pop up in and around Oakland. Check them out on instagram @tacosychelasoak to find out where they will be.

  • 3 Tacos To Eat #3 – Oakland California

    3 Tacos To Eat #3 – Oakland California

    1. Tacos Sinaloa (Carnitas)

    2138 International Blvd, Oakland, CA 94606

    Taqueria Sinaloa

    One of the most popular taco destinations in Oakland for good reason. The 2 orange trucks that bookend the parking lot on 23rd Ave and International Blvd welcome all in need of a taco fix. Tacos Sinaloa’s carnitas taco tops the list this month. Crispy, crispy carnitas (fried pork) topped with cilantro, onions, and a mild red salsa. Take a seat at one of the tables (equipped with tapatio) and enjoy.

    2. Belly (Cali Taco)

     1901 San Pablo Ave, Oakland, CA 94612

    2016-10-08-13-01-10

    Belly’s Cali Taco (pictured on the Left) comes in at number 2 this month. The Cali Taco features house marinated steak, fries, guacamole, pico de gallo, spicy sour cream, and shredded cheddar cheese. And I know what you’re thinking… fries on tacos? Yes! fries on tacos. That is just one of the layers that make up this dish, and they all work together to deliver an amazing burst of flavors. Definitely not a traditional taco, but definitely delicious.

    3. Tacos El Grullo (Chorizo)

     27th Ave and international Blvd, Oakland, CA 94601

    2016-10-08-14-51-44

    Not to be confused with Taqueria El Grullo on 26th Ave and Foothill Blvd, which may make another list :). Tacos El Grullo is tucked behind an office building on International blvd and 27th Ave. Just follow the arrow on the red and white sign on the corner.  This month, Tacos El Grullo’s chorizo taco gets our 3rd spot. Spicy chorizo topped with finely chopped onion, cilantro, and a green salsa. If you only judged by the lines at lunch you would know this is a spot worth checking out. Once you have sampled this busy taco truck, you’ll know why people keep coming back.

    That’s our list for the month!!! Check out previous lists and other articles on our blog.

    3 Tacos to Eat is a regular blog series highlighting our favorite tacos for the month. Restaurants and tacos are selected by a combination of Editors at Comeeda as well as surveys and opinions from tacophiles from our community. Lists can be grouped by taco fillings, neighborhood, city, and more. New list every month. Check out our blog for past lists, other taco related articles, profiles, recipes, and more.  Follow us on Instagram — @tacos.comeeda

    Like the list? Did we miss your favorite spot? Let’s taco bout it 🙂 Comment below.

     

     

  • 3 Tacos To Eat #2 – Oakland California

    3 Tacos To Eat #2 – Oakland California

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    #1 Cholita Linda  Baja Fish Taco

    4923 Telegraph Ave

    Cholita Linda a relative newcomer to the established taco scene in Oakland. With that said, Cholita Linda has gained one of the more enthusiastic followings around town. This bustling taqueria is on our list this month for their for their Baja Fish tacos. Most evenings you can see a line that runs out of the door waiting for a taste of the flavorful fish tacos. After our first taste there was no wondering why Cholita Linda has become one of Temescal’s most popular food destinations.

     

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    #2 El Novillo – Asada Taco

    1001 Fruitvale Avenue

    Located in the parking lot of Guadalajara restaurant, Tacos El Novillo is one of those trucks that is well known around town for all the right reasons. Novillo makes our list at number 2 this month for their asada tacos. Well seasoned cuts of meat on two corn tortillas topped with onions, cilantro, and salsa roja. Nothing innovative here, just really good tacos made by experienced taquerios.

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    #3 El Torero -Carnitas Taco

    5801 International Blvd

    El Torero is an unassuming taqueria on the corner of 58th and International Blvd. This family-run taqueria is pumping out some great tacos! They make our list for their carnitas taco. Well-cooked, not too greasy carnitas topped with onions, cilantro, salsa roja, and queso. Flavorful fillings and a friendly staff make this taqueria stand out. All food is made to order, so grab a seat, snack on some chips and salsa, and enjoy this hidden gem.

     

    3 Tacos to Eat is a regular blog series highlighting our favorite tacos for the month. Restaurants and tacos are selected by a combination of Editors at Comeeda as well as surveys and opinions from tacophiles from our community. Lists can be grouped by taco fillings, neighborhood, city, and more. New list every month. Check out our blog for past lists, other taco related articles, profiles, recipes, and more. Follow us on Instagram — @tacos.comeeda