La Cocinita
4935 W 29th Avenue
Denver, CO 80212
(303) 458-0932
Rating = 2 1/2 tortillas
I've been going to La Cocinita for a little while now and have enjoyed everything I've tried there. They have good cheap Mexican food, decent Chili rellenos, delicious smothered burritos, and tasty chips. This is a place where you can have dinner and leave for $10 including tip. But until I took on my noble (stop lauging) quest for the ultimate Mexican taco, I hadn't actually given La Cocinita's tacos a try.
If you've been following my adventures, you've probably noticed that I typically try the carne asada and carnitas any time I try a new place. So you probalby won't be surprised to hear that I decided to try the carne asada and the carnitas along with chiles toreados (roasted jalepenos). As I've mentioned in previous posts, a good mexican restaurant does not necessarily mean a good taco. Unfortunately, La Cocinita is one of those places. While the tacos aren't awful they ARE essentially unremarkable. The tacos are served up on your standard corn tortillas with pico de gallo. Without green chile to help add flavor, the lack of seasoning in the meat was apparent in the first bite. Rather than dancing along my taste buds, the meat just sort of sat there. Both the carnitas and the carne asada were tender, but there seasonings just didn't pop the way they should.
All in all, there's not alot to say about the tacos at La Concinita because they don't leave any real lasting impression. If you're out craving tacos La Cocinita isn't the place to stop. Instead head down to Taco Mi Pueblo on 23rd and Federal for some delicous tacos. However, if you're looking for some tasty cheap Mexican grub, La Cocinita is your place.
It looks like the quest continues...
Monday, March 29, 2010
Sunday, March 7, 2010
Good tacos vs. good Mexican food
Until I moved to Colorado, I had never really been exposed to green chile. However, with the prevalent Southwestern influence evident in much of the Mexican food in Denver it didn't take long for me to give it a try. And, honestly, I really like green chile. My favorite is at the City Grill on Colfax. Thin and soupy or thick and saucy a good green chile can add amazing flavor to almost any dish.
As much as I enjoy a good bowl of green chile or a generous helping covering a burrito or some other tasty dish, I'm also learning that a good helping can also disguise an otherwise lackluster dish. Several of the places that have been suggested to me have come along with "and they have really good green chile" as part of the recommendation. However, every one of those places has turned out to have tacos that are just okay because the meat isn't well seasoned. When it's covered with green chile, that less than spectacular meat is camouflaged. But in a taco there is nothing to hide behind. The meat IS the taco and if the meat isn't good neither is the taco.
About now you're probably wondering where I'm going with this whole thing. What I'm trying to say is that when I'm talking about tacos, I'm looking for something very specific. While I may not like the tacos at one of the places I try, there may still be some delicious food to be enjoyed. The additional ingredients in other dishes can help make up for shortcomings that are unavoidable in tacos.
There are a plethora of delicous Mexican restaurants in this town and there are plenty of restaurants that will never get a rave review for their tacos. There will also be plenty of places that have outstanding tacos while their other dishes are less than remarkable... especially when I start getting into the taco trucks that dot our urban landscape. So, if I don't like the tacos at one of your favorite Mexican places, it's not a reflection on the overall quality or tastiness of their food, it just means that they don't have what I'm looking for in my search for the best Mexican taco.
Now, back to the crusade...
As much as I enjoy a good bowl of green chile or a generous helping covering a burrito or some other tasty dish, I'm also learning that a good helping can also disguise an otherwise lackluster dish. Several of the places that have been suggested to me have come along with "and they have really good green chile" as part of the recommendation. However, every one of those places has turned out to have tacos that are just okay because the meat isn't well seasoned. When it's covered with green chile, that less than spectacular meat is camouflaged. But in a taco there is nothing to hide behind. The meat IS the taco and if the meat isn't good neither is the taco.
About now you're probably wondering where I'm going with this whole thing. What I'm trying to say is that when I'm talking about tacos, I'm looking for something very specific. While I may not like the tacos at one of the places I try, there may still be some delicious food to be enjoyed. The additional ingredients in other dishes can help make up for shortcomings that are unavoidable in tacos.
There are a plethora of delicous Mexican restaurants in this town and there are plenty of restaurants that will never get a rave review for their tacos. There will also be plenty of places that have outstanding tacos while their other dishes are less than remarkable... especially when I start getting into the taco trucks that dot our urban landscape. So, if I don't like the tacos at one of your favorite Mexican places, it's not a reflection on the overall quality or tastiness of their food, it just means that they don't have what I'm looking for in my search for the best Mexican taco.
Now, back to the crusade...
Saturday, February 13, 2010
El Taco De Mexico - a mixed bag
El Taco De Mexico
714 Santa Fe Dr. (Corner of 7th & Santa Fe)
Denver, CO 80204
Rating = 2 tortillas
Several readers recommended I try El Taco De Mexico so I finally decided to give them a try. When I looked it up, I realized that I had actually been there before and had a really delicious burrito on a previous visit. They're known for having a authentic Mexican food and good green chile. Having had a good experience there before, I was looking forward to trying their tacos. And, when the word "taco" is in the name of the place, you have to hope that the tacos are good. Apparently, someone forgot to tell them that when they decided on a name.
Before I talk about the tacos, I want to mention something important about taco pricing. I'm sure many of you are familiar with the typical $.99 taco. They're served up on very small tortillas and have a decent amount of meat. One probably won't fill you up, but several will. As the prices go up, usually, the portions increase as well. With that said, back to the tacs at El Taco De Mexico.
When my tacos were served up I was a bit shocked. Priced at $1.70 each, I expected a decent size taco. Instead, what lay on the plate before me were 3 very small tacos with barely enough meat to fill the lackluster tortillas. The initial disappointment fading, I decided to just see how they tasted. They tasted a bit bland and the meat in each was dry and in need of some salsa.
So, as far as the tacos go, don't bother with them unless you're desperate for a taco. On the other hand, if you're looking for some good Mexican grub and delicious green chile, Give El Taco De Mexico a try.
714 Santa Fe Dr. (Corner of 7th & Santa Fe)
Denver, CO 80204
Rating = 2 tortillas
Several readers recommended I try El Taco De Mexico so I finally decided to give them a try. When I looked it up, I realized that I had actually been there before and had a really delicious burrito on a previous visit. They're known for having a authentic Mexican food and good green chile. Having had a good experience there before, I was looking forward to trying their tacos. And, when the word "taco" is in the name of the place, you have to hope that the tacos are good. Apparently, someone forgot to tell them that when they decided on a name.
Before I talk about the tacos, I want to mention something important about taco pricing. I'm sure many of you are familiar with the typical $.99 taco. They're served up on very small tortillas and have a decent amount of meat. One probably won't fill you up, but several will. As the prices go up, usually, the portions increase as well. With that said, back to the tacs at El Taco De Mexico.
When my tacos were served up I was a bit shocked. Priced at $1.70 each, I expected a decent size taco. Instead, what lay on the plate before me were 3 very small tacos with barely enough meat to fill the lackluster tortillas. The initial disappointment fading, I decided to just see how they tasted. They tasted a bit bland and the meat in each was dry and in need of some salsa.
So, as far as the tacos go, don't bother with them unless you're desperate for a taco. On the other hand, if you're looking for some good Mexican grub and delicious green chile, Give El Taco De Mexico a try.
Sunday, February 7, 2010
La Mexicana Taqueria - a disappointment
La Mexicana Taqueria
2538 W. 32nd Ave.
Denver, CO 80211
(303) 433-3008
Rating = 1 tortilla
When I walked into La Mexicana Taqueria, I was very excited at the prospect of trying their tacos. The restaurant just seemed like it was going to have something delicious for me. Unfortunately, my taco senses were way off.
I ordered a carne asada taco and a carnitas taco with grilled jalepenos on the side. At $2.25 each I was expecting decent sized tacos filled with meat. What showed up at the table were, AT BEST, $.99 tacos filled with what I'll generously refer to meat. In actuality, the tiny shards served up in the tacos resembled chunks of shoe leather more than they did meat and they tasted about as good as they looked. My grilled jalepenos were nowhere to be seen (despite showing up on my bill) and the selection of salsas offered up were bland and unappetizing.
So, all I can say is that La Mexicana Taqueria was a disappointment. Don't bother assaulting your taste buds with the trash they serve.
2538 W. 32nd Ave.
Denver, CO 80211
(303) 433-3008
Rating = 1 tortilla
When I walked into La Mexicana Taqueria, I was very excited at the prospect of trying their tacos. The restaurant just seemed like it was going to have something delicious for me. Unfortunately, my taco senses were way off.
I ordered a carne asada taco and a carnitas taco with grilled jalepenos on the side. At $2.25 each I was expecting decent sized tacos filled with meat. What showed up at the table were, AT BEST, $.99 tacos filled with what I'll generously refer to meat. In actuality, the tiny shards served up in the tacos resembled chunks of shoe leather more than they did meat and they tasted about as good as they looked. My grilled jalepenos were nowhere to be seen (despite showing up on my bill) and the selection of salsas offered up were bland and unappetizing.
So, all I can say is that La Mexicana Taqueria was a disappointment. Don't bother assaulting your taste buds with the trash they serve.
Tacos Mi Pueblo - tasty tacos
Tacos Mi Pueblo
2945 West 23rd Avenue (23rd & Federal)
Denver, CO 80211
(303) 480-5332
Rating = 4 tortillas
Sitting on the corner with a sign proclaiming they're open 24 hours (they're not, by the way), Tacos Mi Pueblo ("TMP") is a pretty unassuming place. Unlike some of the spots I visit on my quest, TMP is an actual Mexican restaurant. Clean and welcoming (as long as you don't have an aversion to lots of bright colors), TMP offers a full selection of mexican dishes and even a cold cerveza to wash it all down. But, as you might expect, I went directly for the tacos.
The tacos are piled high with meaty fillings and come in enough varieties to appease nearly any carnivore's palate. On this trip I decided to try the asada, carnitas, and the al pastor. The tacos were served up meat only on corn tortillas and accompanied by several roasted jalepenos. After a quick stop by the salsa bar to pick up some green and red chile along with cilantro and onions to add the tacos I sat down and prepared to dive in. All those extras would have to wait until after the first bite of each taco. I always want that first bite at a new place to be just as they serve it up. After that, it's anything goes in the land of condiments.
Both the asada and the al pastor proved to be absolutely delicious. Each was juicy and cooked almost perfectly. The meat was well seasoned and flavorful. Unfortunately, the same couldn't be said for the carnitas. While they were juicy, they were also pretty bland. When I'm out eating a $30 steak, I want to taste the delicious flavor of the steak without the the interference of robust seasonings. With my tacos, however, I'm looking for those bold delicous flavors that come from well seasoned meats. The chicken just lacked that kick.
Tacos Mi Pueblo has some tasty tacos and is definitely worth a try for anyone searching for a good taco. Even if you're just looking for some decent Mexican food, I'd recommend giving them a try... with tacos this good, I'm willing to be the rest of the menu offers some gems as well.
Give 'em a try and let me know what you think.
2945 West 23rd Avenue (23rd & Federal)
Denver, CO 80211
(303) 480-5332
Rating = 4 tortillas
Sitting on the corner with a sign proclaiming they're open 24 hours (they're not, by the way), Tacos Mi Pueblo ("TMP") is a pretty unassuming place. Unlike some of the spots I visit on my quest, TMP is an actual Mexican restaurant. Clean and welcoming (as long as you don't have an aversion to lots of bright colors), TMP offers a full selection of mexican dishes and even a cold cerveza to wash it all down. But, as you might expect, I went directly for the tacos.
The tacos are piled high with meaty fillings and come in enough varieties to appease nearly any carnivore's palate. On this trip I decided to try the asada, carnitas, and the al pastor. The tacos were served up meat only on corn tortillas and accompanied by several roasted jalepenos. After a quick stop by the salsa bar to pick up some green and red chile along with cilantro and onions to add the tacos I sat down and prepared to dive in. All those extras would have to wait until after the first bite of each taco. I always want that first bite at a new place to be just as they serve it up. After that, it's anything goes in the land of condiments.
Both the asada and the al pastor proved to be absolutely delicious. Each was juicy and cooked almost perfectly. The meat was well seasoned and flavorful. Unfortunately, the same couldn't be said for the carnitas. While they were juicy, they were also pretty bland. When I'm out eating a $30 steak, I want to taste the delicious flavor of the steak without the the interference of robust seasonings. With my tacos, however, I'm looking for those bold delicous flavors that come from well seasoned meats. The chicken just lacked that kick.
Tacos Mi Pueblo has some tasty tacos and is definitely worth a try for anyone searching for a good taco. Even if you're just looking for some decent Mexican food, I'd recommend giving them a try... with tacos this good, I'm willing to be the rest of the menu offers some gems as well.
Give 'em a try and let me know what you think.
Monday, January 18, 2010
La Noria Taqueria - a decent contender
La Noria Carniceria Taqueria.
1931 W Mississippi Ave. (corner of Mississippi & Tejon)
Denver, CO 80223
(303) 922-3388
Rating = 3 1/2 Tortillas
If you're looking for an authentic Mexican taco without any frills or pretense, you should make a stop at La Noria Carniceria Taqueria and treat your taste buds. First, be warned, this is just about 1 step above a taco shack, so don't go there expecting much. Located inside a market/carniceria, the "restaurant" sports some sad looking tables and a minimal salsa bar. However, what it lacks in charm it more than makes up for with the delicious meats that fill the tacos.
Their carne asada and carnitas are juicy and flavorful and served up with meat only on a tortilla (corn). You also get a roasted/grilled jalapeno with your order (a big + in my book). Cilantro, onions, and other toppings are available at the salsa bar.
While the meat is Delicious, I was disappointed to see that they use Mission tortillas rather than home made or at least something produced locally. Mission isn't the worst tortilla in town, but there are much better options.
Overall, I highly recommend La Noria.
1931 W Mississippi Ave. (corner of Mississippi & Tejon)
Denver, CO 80223
(303) 922-3388
Rating = 3 1/2 Tortillas
If you're looking for an authentic Mexican taco without any frills or pretense, you should make a stop at La Noria Carniceria Taqueria and treat your taste buds. First, be warned, this is just about 1 step above a taco shack, so don't go there expecting much. Located inside a market/carniceria, the "restaurant" sports some sad looking tables and a minimal salsa bar. However, what it lacks in charm it more than makes up for with the delicious meats that fill the tacos.
Their carne asada and carnitas are juicy and flavorful and served up with meat only on a tortilla (corn). You also get a roasted/grilled jalapeno with your order (a big + in my book). Cilantro, onions, and other toppings are available at the salsa bar.
While the meat is Delicious, I was disappointed to see that they use Mission tortillas rather than home made or at least something produced locally. Mission isn't the worst tortilla in town, but there are much better options.
Overall, I highly recommend La Noria.
Saturday, January 16, 2010
A bit of an explanation...
To start, I'm not sure how I ended up writing a blog about my own personal quest for the most delicious and authentic Mexican taco in town. Well, that's not exactly true - I know how I ended up doing this and if it sucks, you'll have her to look to and plead "make it stop!"
I grew up in Southern California around a large Hispanic community. Mexican food has been a part of my life for almost as long as I can remember. Tacos (and burritos) are just as much comfort food to me as mashed potatoes and gravy or mac and cheese. They represent something simple yet delicous; uncomplicated and unpretentious. Fancy Mexican restaurants try too hard and screw them up. It's the small places, the dives, the mom and pop shops that really know how to make the taco well.
My obsession with the taco started in 1991 when I was introduced to a little taco and burrito shack called Pipiripau's in Burbank, CA. When a friend first took me there he insisted I try a burrito. I did and, a moment after I took my first bite into the delicious combo of rice, beans, cilantro, onions, and hot sauce all combined with the most amazingly juicy and flavorful carne asada known to man, I was hooked. The meat was cooked in big slabs and seasoned as it was cooked. Then it was chopped up and put in a large heated metal trough where the meat continued to marinate in its own juices. If you were lucky enough to get there when the supply was running low, you would be treated to the juiciest most flavorful meat that had been at the bottom. Don't get me wrong, though, the fresh batches were delicous too. This was also the place that introduced me to the roasted/grilled jalapeno as an accompaniment
I actually ate there for about a year before I ever tried their tacos. Finally, I decided to give the tacos a try. Instead of the flour tortilla they used corn tortillas and the rice and beans were also gone. But in its own way, it was as delicous as the burrito. The perfect combination of flavors.
For almost 15 years I went to that little shack several times a week and whatever I got there was mouth-watering and delicious. Then I showed up one day and the spot was bulldozed... no warning, no good-bye binge... just gone. And with that, I began my search for another taco that would compare to the ones crafted at Pipiripau's. Today the site is home to a very large apartment complex for seniors.
Since moving to Denver, I've continued my search for delicious tacos with a mostly disappointing result. But there have been some very good places along the way. I recently started working in an area with a large concentration of Carnicerias/Taquerias and it reinvigorated my desire to find that absolutely delicious taco.
So, aside from sharing my thoughts on the places I try with anyone willing to read my drivel, I'm also hoping that I will get some great recommendations.
Let the games begin!
I grew up in Southern California around a large Hispanic community. Mexican food has been a part of my life for almost as long as I can remember. Tacos (and burritos) are just as much comfort food to me as mashed potatoes and gravy or mac and cheese. They represent something simple yet delicous; uncomplicated and unpretentious. Fancy Mexican restaurants try too hard and screw them up. It's the small places, the dives, the mom and pop shops that really know how to make the taco well.
My obsession with the taco started in 1991 when I was introduced to a little taco and burrito shack called Pipiripau's in Burbank, CA. When a friend first took me there he insisted I try a burrito. I did and, a moment after I took my first bite into the delicious combo of rice, beans, cilantro, onions, and hot sauce all combined with the most amazingly juicy and flavorful carne asada known to man, I was hooked. The meat was cooked in big slabs and seasoned as it was cooked. Then it was chopped up and put in a large heated metal trough where the meat continued to marinate in its own juices. If you were lucky enough to get there when the supply was running low, you would be treated to the juiciest most flavorful meat that had been at the bottom. Don't get me wrong, though, the fresh batches were delicous too. This was also the place that introduced me to the roasted/grilled jalapeno as an accompaniment
I actually ate there for about a year before I ever tried their tacos. Finally, I decided to give the tacos a try. Instead of the flour tortilla they used corn tortillas and the rice and beans were also gone. But in its own way, it was as delicous as the burrito. The perfect combination of flavors.
For almost 15 years I went to that little shack several times a week and whatever I got there was mouth-watering and delicious. Then I showed up one day and the spot was bulldozed... no warning, no good-bye binge... just gone. And with that, I began my search for another taco that would compare to the ones crafted at Pipiripau's. Today the site is home to a very large apartment complex for seniors.
Since moving to Denver, I've continued my search for delicious tacos with a mostly disappointing result. But there have been some very good places along the way. I recently started working in an area with a large concentration of Carnicerias/Taquerias and it reinvigorated my desire to find that absolutely delicious taco.
So, aside from sharing my thoughts on the places I try with anyone willing to read my drivel, I'm also hoping that I will get some great recommendations.
Let the games begin!
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