At the corner of Beverly and Normandie in the heart of Los Angeles is El Jalapeno,a mexican food stand that serves tacos, tortas, and burritos. Hidden under a massive signpost and often behind a crowd of people waiting at the bus stop this taco stand is easy to miss.
The first thing I noticed when I approached the window was a hunk of glazed pork twisting on a metal rotisserie. My eyes widened and my stomach grumbled in anticipation for what was to come. Having al pastor from a rotisserie is night and day when compared with al pastor that is prepared any other way. The slow roasted and marinated meat is unlike any other.
So I ordered asada and al pastor tacos and watched as the cook cut slices of al pastor from the spit on to the cylinder grill and then on to corn tortillas. My tacos were garnished with cilantro and onion with a salsa roja.
The asada was passable but nothing special.The al pastor however was excellent. The pork was glazed,soft and sweet. The pork and carmalized onions combined with a tasty salsa roja made for a great taco. The salsa didn't have much spice to it but I didn't mind. I didn't really need anything to get in the way of the sweet cuts of pork.
One may think that eating tacos as much as I do that there may be a sense of deja vu. I thought I would encounter this problem but I havn't. A taco can be interpreted in so many ways that I never get bored eating them. The al pastor at El Jalepeno was unique because of it's sweet aftertaste and soft texture.
I wouldn't go out of your way and fight the harsh city traffic to get to El Jalapeno, but if you are ever in the area and in the mood for tacos the al pastor will not disappoint.
El Jalepeno is at the corner of Beverly and Normandie. Tacos are $1 each
Living right next to El Jalapeno (and eating there constantly) as I do, I'd also highly recommend trying the suadero with your tacos, as well as getting one of their tortas. At $4 the large torta is a steal with a generous portion of meat and beans as well as fresh lettuce, tomato, and avocado, on toasted bread.
ReplyDeletesorry to say that the food there was not good. i thought it was going to be better but sorry to say not!!!!!!!!
ReplyDeleteSUADERO. Beats Taco Zone. I live down the street from EJ and my roommate used to live in the hipster infested Echo Parque. EJ Suadero beats that truck every day of the week.
ReplyDeleteThe end.
While driving on my pickup truck these tacos help e to refresh myself. Thanks for the quality food which they serve and satisfy my hunger.
ReplyDeleteYes same goes with me, these are the places where I can refresh myself when I am on a long drive. Even the food is cheaper than any of the restaurant.
ReplyDeleteWhile driving on my pickup truck these tacos help e to refresh myself. Thanks for the quality food which they serve and satisfy my hunger.
ReplyDeleteYes same goes with me, these are the places where I can refresh myself when I am on a long drive. Even the food is cheaper than any of the restaurant.
ReplyDelete