Monday, September 20

El Papalote: A taco-worthy of it's price

By now, you've read our taco posts, and even disagreed with our tweets. Yes, it's true. We don't like paying for overpriced tacos and Austin has quite a few of them. Luckily, for you and me, I've grown a bit since my dollar taco days. Now I can proudly say that I will spend more than $2.00 for a taco. Mexican food and ingredients aren't too expensive and that's the reason I've been anti-expensive tacos but when the ingredients are mixed right, cooked con amor and the product is authentic, then hell yeah I'll spend some money on a taco (not to exceed $5 or $6 of course).

So last week, I met up with my friend, El Famous Soup Peddler at El Papalote. A small modern taqueria, El Papalote Taco House inspires un tipico cafe y taqueria de Mexico with a true homage to the iconic Mexican comic Cantinflas while serving up cafe de chaipas y un potpourri de comida interior. The place embodies authenticity, Mexican style!

Cantinflas

At first glance at the menu, you can really get overwhelmed and a bit confused. But if you're a mero mero taquero (like me!), you'll appreciate the fact that they don't translate los platos tipicos - the ingredients tell the story. The menu is laid out like a Mexican market with a plethora of choices from tacos to huaraches and tortas to aguas y Mexican cokes! Here's a rundown...

Los Guisados - Probably the best taco variety in town. Complicated and delicious! $3.25 per taco, definitely worth it!
Los Madrugadores - Breakfast tacos, of course! Eggs plus two items for under $2!
Las Tortas - That's the Mexican size hoagie sandwich - Try the Torta Poblana: shredded turkey breast in mole. It's the kind of mole everybody loves, not to thick, not too salty and not too rich, ees just right!
Las Callejeras - From de estreets! Tostadas y taquitos (rolled tacos)
De La Plaza - Variety of meat offeri
ngs, lengua (tongue), cabeza (barbacoa of sorts), pastor y surtidos (mix).
Los de Masas (for the Cornbiters!) - Sopes, Huaraches y Tlacoyos - Definitely try a Tlacoyo but only if you can pronounce it!
Para Morder - Bites! That's their sweet, tangy and espicy salsas and chiles
De Tomar - Organic coffee from the mountains of Chiapas, Mexican cokes, horchatas y mas!

So there you have it. Finally a taco-worthy of it's price. I'm down with spending $3.50 per taco, especially when it's cooked to perfection and it brings out los sabores verdaderos de Mexico!

Tan tan!

El Papalote - 5 Stars - El Mundo de Mando
2803 S Lamar Blvd
Austin, TX 78704
(512) 804-2474

Wednesday, September 15

Did you take your Revenge of the Taco Tour?!?

We did! About 30 of us. Great times were had and lots of good tacos were eaten. Seems like it was just yesterday or 2 weeks ago. Oh the good times. Here's a short recap cuz I can't really remember most of it...

Ah yes, the TJ koozies. Kept our beer cold and made the tacos taste betta!

We still got some so shoot us an email (tacojournalism@gmail.com) and we'll get one in your manos for 5 bucks!

Our first stop was Takoba, a new taco joint on East 7th. We heard good things and they did not let us down with their slow cooked Al Pastor taco. We downed our first taco and had to move on quickly to the next stop.

Sharlene and Andres deciding and eating!

So off we were to Taqueria Selene on 6th and Chalmers. At this stop we met up with more taco lovers, Houstonians, Aussies and even some peeps from Nola. This taco trailer had everything, lengua, al pastor, desehbrada, guisada mexicana and cold Mexican cokes to cool us down. It was either the heat or people were really diggin' this trailer. See photo for proof!

Random people eating and enjoying tacos

Of course, we needed a little break from the heat and as we say en Español - Hacer Hambre - to make hunger aka drink some drinks! We made a pit stop at Rio Rita, a cool little dive in the Eastside. Fast forward a few drinks later and we were best friends with everyone!

The next two stops were the new taco joints on Rainey Street. El Naranjo, which is a taco truck parked in a driveway that specializes in true Mexican traditions, Oaxaca style. Word on the street is that the chef changes up the menu once a week. It was a packed house when we got there and everyone seemed to enjoy their tacos. I did as well but was too distracted by the flying ants trying to get all up on grills and it kinda ruined it for me. I do want to go back and try out their mole though.

Collin enjoying tacos at El Naranjo

Final stop was Bomb Tacos at Lustre Pearl. By this time I was kinda superful and unluckily had to pull an exit strategy cuz I had a baby daddy call - get home now cry! So off I went. I heard the chorizo tacos made the night for todos.

We're happy to report that we're not the only taco aficionados in Austin. Check out Craig's write-up and waaaay better photos of the tour on his The Adventures of Slightly Taller than Average Man blog.

So what's in store for the next taco tour? South Austin Baby! Coming soon, as soon as we get organized which will be in a couple of months when it cools down. Where should we go Southies????