Downtown LA Lunchtime Taco Crawl

We walked a large 'square' block and tried 5 different taco places. FUN!




I have so much fun eating and talking about tacos.

ox The Taco Maven

A Quesadilla Is a Melted Cheese Taco

http://blogs.laweekly.com/squidink/2011/06/quesadillas_lupita_eat_this_now.php

Great article from LA Weekly.

And I ask you... what is the Quesadilla but a melted cheese taco. Am I right? You know I am.

The only requirement is that it have cheese (aka queso). These days anything goes and some are so filled with goodies, they might as well be burritos.

The best darn Quesadilla I have had to date is the Vampiro at Mexicali Taco in Downtown, LA. I tend to avoid melted cheese. It's bad for the butt bags. But it's seriously delicious and great for kids and great for vegetarians.

When I was catering, two favorite appetizers I created back in the 90's were the Blueberry Brie Quesadilla and the Goat Cheese Pear & Caramelized Onion Quesadilla. Good Stuff.

Mi Abuela's Table, A Mexican Cookbook

Fabulous new cookbook. Looks superfun and the illustrations are gorgeous.

I want it!

It's my birthday!

Web Review below....

'My Abuela’s Table' is a beautifully illustrated, personal journey to the heart of ‘real’ Mexican food. It is a celebration of clean, spicy authentic Mexican flavours. There are none of the obligatory Tex-Mex nachos or hard tacos recipes.

These are loved recipes passed down from generation to generation – to Daniella from her Mexican mother, who scribed them at her mother’s kitchen table

Savoury recipes include Cuete en salsa de nuez (beef in nut sauce); chiles en nogada (stuffed chillies); Langostinos a la veracruzana (Veracruz-style prawns); and Pan de muerto (Day of the Dead bread). Also included are sections on Mexican basics – such as cooking with Mexican herbs and spices, and chilli varieties – as well as classic salsas, rice, tortillas and bean dishes.

Available online at most booksellers.

El Sitio, Santa Barbara & Ortega 120, Redondo Beach

We had a fun night at Ortega 120 down in Redondo Beach and really enjoyed the place. Check out our VIDEO.

Tacos at Ortega 120 in Redondo Beach

Tacos Carillo Taco Truck on Mullholland and Beverly Glen

Sometimes the best part about a Taco Truck is the way you find it and when.

It was 8am. I was STARVING for a breakfast burrito and/or taco. I was late. I was taking a different route that caused me to come up Beverly Glen and turn left on Mullholland to get to Coldwater Canyon heading down into Beverly Hills.

I saw a truck. Two trucks. One had more people but didn't say the word 'TACO'. The other said  'Tacos Carillo'. A very attentive, kind woman took my order. I was very specific, which I always am but usually I'm ignored.

I wanted a burrito, but not too big, with rice, beans, lettuce, tomato, sour cream, cheese and onions. I wasn't in the mood for meat or eggs. She nodded, wrote it all down, and charged me $3.50.

I also ordered some simple Chicken Tacos for a student I was going to see. He's 10 and doesn't like a lot of spice.

The burrito was PERFECT. The tortilla was so fresh and tender. It wasn't too big. It wasn't hard to eat with one hand while driving a stick shift. The tacos were clean and simple. Big chunks of white meat. He loved them. Sometimes kids are the best critics.

The also have oatmeal (avena) and instead of chips they give you cool mini tostadas. I can't wait to go back and try more. I'm still thinking about the perfection of the burrito as I write this!