Taquerias for gringos

[sctx]

Originally Posted by Pantalones

Do you think a taqueria would go over well in the US?

got one on about every corner in South Texas

[tommy]

every 50 feet down here....good stuff...

[roxie]

Okay, this is a question to all the playa peeps living in the Houston area, particularly the Southeast/Clear Lake area. Where are the best taquerias in the area. I don't mind driving a ways for good, true, authentic mexican food. Of course, there are the Taqueria Arrandas everywhere(never tried these), and a good place called Tequila Boom on Nasa Rd 1, but I want your opinions of the best.

[james]

off topic

[Lulu]

There's one that I visit at least once a week... Taqueria La Tapatia. Lot of Mexicans eat there, and they have GREAT tex-mex and are really inexpensive. Their fajitas ROCK!

There's one on Richmond and Chimney Rock, and the original is on Richmond at Woodhead in the Montrose area. I think there's other locations, not sure where though. They're all mostly in Houston, so I don't if that's too far for you. We drive from Pearland, it's that good.

They've won tons of local awards but many people still haven't heard of them.

I couldn't find a website for them, so you might want to google them.

[Softy57]

Do not feel ashamed,:p It is not your fault how a certain restaurant keeps their restrooms. The gym where I belong has very poor cleaners,I complain,I could do better,but not ashamed,they should be.
Let the sun shine.

[roxie]

Thanks Lulu. Have you ever been to the Ninfa's on Navigation? It is typically one of our favorites.

[StephenB]

If anyone is interested, you can buy the small hand tortilla presses at a number of places in PDC. I believe the local term for the press is Mericondera (not sure about the spelling or exact pronunciation). We got ours at a local hardware store. They are great for making a variety of different things at home and come in a couple of different sizes. Of course Harina de Maiz is now widely sold in the US. We use ours a lot to make empanadas and other tasty Mexican treats. The presses sell for around $5 to $7 USD.

[Lulu]

Originally Posted by roxie

Thanks Lulu. Have you ever been to the Ninfa's on Navigation? It is typically one of our favorites.

No, and I understand that's the original. Used to go have dinner and Ninfarita's with co-workers at the Ninfa's on Kirby, but they've become such a big chain now, I'd rather stay along the smaller taqueria tex-mex places for authentic, cheap, mexican food. I should probably try the one on Navigation - since they're the original, they may be better than the others... Thanks!

[roxie]

That is the ONLY Ninfa's that my husband and I will go to. We get lunch brought to us from the one on Bay Area occasionally, and it definitely is not the same. If you go, ask to sit with Ericka or Elsa, they are our favorite waitresses. Tell them Preston and Cindy sent you. Be careful of the margaritas, you think you can drink three or four, but two is plenty. One night after about four margaritas, my husband got lost driving to Hobby to pick up our kids. It should take about 15-20 minutes max, after driving for 45 minutes, we finally reached the airport.

Cindy

[SeekinaBeach]

Well, just got back from another great trip to Playa. We were anxious to find lots of places to try el Pastor since it's a favorite.

I was "out of commission" for a couple days so I was limited to trying Tacos Israel and Tacos Los 3 Carboneitos (which is on Calle 12 between 10 and 15).

While Tacos Israel did offer larger than usual tacos with more meat, I must say that it is not what I would actually call "al Pastor". It tasted more like a Greek gyro to me, not at all Mexican. But it was tasty.

The el Pastor at Los 3 was more of the typical meat but still not flavored as much as I've had in the past. They have a huge variety of ways they serve the meat, and they provided 6 different sauces to accompany them (one of which was made out of pumpkin seeds and was quite tasty). The best part was when I ordered a platter that consisted of the el Pastor meat, cactus, grilled onions and melted cheese, served with 5 warm, fresh tortillas. Oh YUMMMM! And it was very reasonable. One last thing - they also serve Corona and Negro Modelo.

I will definitely be trying to make them at home SOON... I'm craving them already and we just got home Tuesday...

Barb

[kette]

Great discussion here!

I grew up in a small agricultural town in Northern California, so I grew up on Taqueria food! The thing is, the food at these taquerias were pretty different from what I found in the Yucatan, mostly because most of the Chicanos in my hometown are either recent immigrants from Northern Mexico or have had family here since California WAS part of Mexico. Either way, just like we have regional cusine in the states, the food in Mexico varies by location. Thus the flavor of the taquerias I grew up with are pretty different from what I found in the Yucatan.

That said, it's all delicious. I'm a big fan of fish tacos, but my absolute favorite is carne asada tacos. I don't eat pork, but good carne asada is so good I hardly mind! My bf fell in love with arrachera steak, but I have not been able to find the same kind of marinated steak at resturants up here.

I was also surprised at the differences in beer! Up here, it's Corona or Negro Modelo. I was shocked that I couldn't find Corona in Playa! I adjusted to Sol, but I was really bummed I couldn't find Pacifco, which is my favorite Mexican beer.

Last time I was in playa we mostly stuck to the resturants on quinta avenida because my bf is from the east coast and is still a little chicken when it comes to Mexican food. Next time though I got him to agree that we'd eat at some more local, hole-in-the-wall places - it's cheaper and just as good, if not better!

[Bumper]

Originally Posted by kette

I was shocked that I couldn't find Corona in Playa! I adjusted to Sol, but I was really bummed I couldn't find Pacifico, which is my favorite Mexican beer.

This has got to be a typo! Corona is omnipresent in Playa. Everybody drinks it. Personally, I'm not a fan and have fastened on other brands - my particular favourite is Dos Equis Ambar - but it's all a matter of personal preference. Only managed to find Pacifico once, and rather enjoyed it, but you're right, Kette, it's hard to come by.

[Rissask]

Gotta be a typo. We saw Corona all over, although I believe (James can correct me ) that Corona to Mexicans is not regarded nearly as highly by them as many other beers are- right?


Pacifico is a Pacific coast state -brewed beer (Jalisco maybe?) and not nearly as popular on that side I found. I like it too.

[mindz]

One place that serves Pacifico is CM Carnes on 1 Sur near 25th ave (near the little bookstore). But go there for the food, not just the beer. For 70 pesos you get a paqueta - package deal - of 300 g. meat (that's a lot!), baked potato or onion, half an avocado, soft drink, and tortillas. They brag that their arrachera is the best in town. It is indeed very tender, juicy and tasty. They have other meats also--chicken, costillas (ribs), chuletas (pork chops). They are very popular, and seem to do even more business as takeout.