The Banh Pa Te So Nhan Banh Mi (Vietnamese Pate Chaud (French Hot Pastry Pie) with Sandwich Fillings) and other pastries I brought from Au Coeur de Paris Patisserie & Boulangerie - Westminster (Little Saigon) were great, but by dinner time, we were all hungry. So lil' sis, oldest and second-youngest nephews, their friends, and I all piled into our cars and drove nearly to the Mexican border in Chula Vista.
When we pulled up, the parking lot of Tacos El Gordo de Tijuana B.C. was packed; always a good sign. I was also amused by the signage that said, "Now in California." Tijuana-style tacos for which I don't have to wait hours to pass through border inspection? Score!
The taco selection was pretty awesome too - cabeza (beef cheeks), lengua (tongue), sesos (brains), Asada (steak), tripas (tripe), suadero (brisket), and adobada (spicy pork) and buche (stomach) for about $2 each. The mulas, sopes, and quesadillas were $3.75. The mula was new to me. It's basically another tortilla on top.
The adobada was cooked on a spit like Al Pastor (Mexican Shepherd-Style Tacos), but spiced differently. Order here, but pay the cashier at a booth on the opposite side of the restaurant.
Radishes and limes.
Lots of Guacamole on our carne asada tacos.
This was lil' sis' mula, with the extra tortilla on top.
The adobada.
Buche.
Lengua. So incredibly tender and flavorful.
Can't tell what this one was? Cabeza?
And this one was cabeza? Each taco had a different salsa or guacamole that they already put on for us.
Did it matter when it was all so good? Grilled spring onions too.
We all had a couple of tacos each. Then decided which ones we really liked for round two.
Cabeza?
I think so since cabeza is usually fattier and juicier.
I ordered sesos since I don't find brains too often on menus. It was a little bland to be honest. Needed more salsa.
The tortillas are handmade too!
The $2 per taco was a bit higher than what I'd pay in Los Angeles, but for meaty tacos with handmade tortillas, well worth it. My favorites were the cabeza, lengua, and adobada tacos.
Stuffed to the gills, my tummy was pretty happy on the long drive back home.
Other Mexican taco restaurant posts:
Cabo Taco Baja Grill - La Mirada
Carnitas Michoacan - Los Angeles (Lincoln Heights)
El Ranchero Restaurant - Alhambra
King Taco Restaurants #11 - El Monte (Garvey Ave.)
Los Cinco Puntos - Los Angeles
Old Town Mexican Cafe and Cantina - San Diego
Tacos Baja Ensenada - (East) Los Angeles
Tacos Mexico - (East) Los Angeles
Tacos El Gordo de Tijuana B.C. (Multiple locations)
689 H St.
Chula Vista, CA 91910
619-691-8848
Sunday to Thursday 10 a.m. to 2 a.m.
Friday and Saturday 10 a.m. to 4 a.m.
*****
1 year ago today,
2 years ago today, 2009 Recipes: Picture Index.
3 years ago today,
4 years ago today,
5 years ago today, Bon Marche Bistro/B Village Cuisine (Dim Sum) - Monterey Park (Closed).
6 years ago today, Chocolate Mochi with Nutella Filling.
7 years ago today, the "5 things about me" meme.
If I knew you were there, I could have come over and met you. I live about four miles from the restaurant. It's a famous one, the parking is awful, and the price is a little bit high, but it's good. We bought the food and brought it home to eat sometimes. So sorry that I didn't know you were in town. Thanks again for all the wonderful recipes that you have shared with us. Hope you had a good time in Chula Vista.
ReplyDeleteCo Toan,
ReplyDeleteI didn't even know I was going there. I just show up and my sister or nephews take me wherever. :P
Maybe next time, I would love to meet you one of these days.
ReplyDeleteYou were in our neck of the woods. We are on the east side of H St. Our local TJ style taco shop is Tacos el Poblano.
ReplyDeleteCo Toan,
ReplyDeletePerhaps some day!
CC,
You know I have no idea where anything is down there. I'll keep your place in mind though for next time!