Every weekend this lonchera parks at the corner of Main St and 23rd in downtown LA. While most of the weekend trucks in the area serve up plates of mariscos and shrimp cocktails this truck specializes in one thing and one thing only, barbacoa de cabeza.
The barbacoa at this lonchera is estillo Capulhuac(from central mexico),which is traditionally lamb cabeza. In northern Mexico cow cheek is the norm. If you're at your local Chipotle chain the barbacoa is shredded beef.Chipotle has probably done more to confuse the American taco eating public when it comes to barbacoa. Even I'm confused while writing this. One thing you can count on though, if it's authentic barbacoa it's cabeza. Whether it's cow or lamb will depend on which part of Mexico the recipe originates from.
At this lonchera you can buy it by the lb($7) or individual tacos for $1. If you buy it by the lb your order comes with corn tortillas and containers of salsa, onions and cilantro.
Lamb cabeza is definitely an acquired taste. The meat was incredibly soft and tender but there was a gamey aftertaste. The salsa had a rustic spicy flavor to it but the meats flavors really dominate everything. I can't really compare it to anything because my experience with barbacoa is very minimal and lamb to me is always a little gamey.
But I think more loncheras that specialize in one type of recipe are excellent additions to the LA taco scene whether it is barbacoa estillo Capulhuac or traditional tacos de trompo they all bring a bit of Mexico to LA.
Candy lonchera, 7am-3pm saturday and sunday only, tacos $1
Technorati Tags: tacos, taco truck, Los Angeles, cabeza, barbacoa, mexico
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ReplyDeleteYou must add Los Compadres to the hitlist. Top notch al pastor, pollo, asada in Cesar Chavez ave. strip mall immediately west of Olvera Street.
ReplyDeleteBesides Olvera-area taquerias and the Farmer's Market, any more good locations in Downtown? I know Parian is close, but I'm thinking downtown proper.
I'll check it out. In downtown proper if you're really desperate for a taco there is a tacos mexico hut.
ReplyDeleteThis looks REALLY good. I am a big fan of borrego so this may be up my alley. The salsa intrigues me as well -such a mahogany deep red. Thanks for the report.
ReplyDeleteHave you ever tried tacos de canasta Bandini?
I know you do tacos but if you are ever in Santa Ana and want to try a killer torta truck: http://www.chowhound.com/topics/382482
kare,
ReplyDeleteno but correct me if I'm wrong..they are the basket tacos right?
do you know where to get them in LA?
You are right Bandini, but I can only help you with the OC. I am going to be in LA proper this weekend so I will be on the look out though.
ReplyDeleteI guess the story behind these tacos are that they are typical of Mexico City and Zacateca.
In Mexico City, the wives of office workers would steam the tacos and wrap them in a warm cloth in a basket to keep for lunch for their husbands.
While in Zacatecas, these were the tacos made similarly but instead of office workers were for the miners.
this tacos are mightt good.im from capulhuac and i go there every summer. they got the best tacos ever. i live in chicago and we have some people from capulhuac with their own restaurants with the same taco style. even though i know some that say its michoacan style bull shit its capulhuac style. i got some capulhuac videos in you tube check them out. just type capulhuac and youll see them.
ReplyDeleteLONCHERA {[CANDY]} SALES THE BEST BARBCO TACO IN LA
ReplyDeleteyoy guys are all wrong tacos de canasta are made of papa con chorizon de frijol and chicharon and they dont sell them in los angeles i am from gualarajara and i make them for partys
ReplyDeleteHey, I am looking for someone to make tacos de canasta for a party, please call me at 213-448-9481
ReplyDeleteyoy guys are all wrong tacos de canasta are made of papa con chorizon de frijol and chicharon and they dont sell them in los angeles i am from gualarajara and i make them for partys
ReplyDeleteHey, I am looking for someone to make tacos de canasta for a party, please call me at 213-448-9481
ReplyDeleteYou must add Los Compadres to the hitlist. Top notch al pastor, pollo, asada in Cesar Chavez ave. strip mall immediately west of Olvera Street.
ReplyDeleteBesides Olvera-area taquerias and the Farmer's Market, any more good locations in Downtown? I know Parian is close, but I'm thinking downtown proper.