[MarketStEl]

So I was strolling down 9th Street yesterday evening (Saturday, 11/4) around 5 and saw the Craig LaBan clip in the window of Taqueria de la Puebla.

As I stood there reading it for a good little while, a guy came out of the restaurant and said to me, "You want tacos? Come on inside."

Turned out he was one of the staff.

One good sign: When I walked in, about half of the 8 tables were occupied. By the time I was midway through my tacos al pastor (I didn't have the stomach for the eyeball or cow's head tacos that night), almost every table was occupied. Mine was the only non-Mexican face in the place. (I did a similar head count as I passed La Lupe. About 40% of its tables were full, and the gringo/Mexican ratio was about 50-50.)

Service was so fast it made my head spin, and very friendly to boot. Prices can't be beat (I only ordered the one plate plus a cup of coffee -- they sweeten theirs with honey before serving it to you). And the food was all that and a bag of chips.

I predict they'll have to consider larger quarters within six months or so.

[KatieLoeb]

I had my first al pastor taco from La Puebla this afternoon and it won't be my last. Damn those are good! The meat is incredibly tender and the pineapple is sort of infused into the meat. Really really good. A single taco is $2.00!!! Amazing. Might be my favorite new snack food.

I ran into a former co-worker from Amada there and his taco platter also came with a big plate of grilled spring onions and the usual cucumber/radish/lime wedge plate that also accompanied my single taco. He let me try some of his grilled onions and they were very good as well.

This place is such a good value.

[rockhopper]

Andrew Fenton, on Jul 16 2006, 03:51 PM, said:

T Or a culinary remnant of the Calabrese invasion during the Mexican-Italian War?  This is a mystery.  But the combination of spaghetti, tomato sauce, Parmesan and queso fresco was oddly tasty.

Or maybe it was when the Etruscans opened a can of whoop ass on the Olmecs.

[KatieLoeb]

Philadining and I visited La Puebla tonight and have decided that this is the Holy Grail of Tacos al Pastor. Never had better ones anywhere on the planet. Real pieces of pineapple in with the pineapple infused pork that's been cooking on the circular gyro-like spit in the back all day long. Also tried the delicious Frijoles al Charro - big honking bowl of porky, brothy smoky goodness with chicharrones floating on top. Oh baby. Really awesome rib sticking fare for a chilly evening. Some grilled spring onions and a molcajete filled with freshly made guacamole to round out our feast and life is good. All this yumminess and two beverages come to the whopping total of $17.00. I freaking love this place...

Pix to follow from Phil when he has time. You'll be drooling over the visuals.

[philadining]

As Katie noted, this place delivers the goods for the Tacos Al Pastor. I'm not all that obsessed with the shwarma-style spit, I'm concerned with the flavor, and these are seriously great.


the meat is really tender and juicy, with nicely charred edges, a slab of pineapple perfectly accenting the richness of the pork.

I mean, you know, just look at that!

Three tacos al pastor. Five bucks.

These come off the vertical spit in the back. It's not so easy to see anymore, but we rudely charged into the kitchen and took pictures, they seemed amused by us...

I have no idea if the pineapple actually drips down onto the meat, but the result is delicious.


There are lots of other interesting Taco fillings done on the plancha, but it's going to be really hard for me to divert from the Al Pastor. I found them perfectly tasty just as they were, maybe a little squeeze of lime, but if you want to tart them up a bit, there's a plate of accompaniments, and some very tasty salsas. Nopales salad, some spicy marinated onions, cucumbers and radishes provide some nice contrast to the meaty tacos.



The guacamole was simple, but very good, and not too salty as had been previously mentioned.


The Frijoles a la Charra were not too salty either, I thought they were some of the tastiest beans I've had in a while. Of course it never hurts to load them up with bits of chirizo and float an armada of chicharones on top.


Some of the tacos come with a couple of grilled spring onions, but not the al pastor, so we got a side order of them for 2 or 3 bucks. Deliciously sweet.


This place doesn't have quite as deep of a menu as some restaurants nearby, but for Tacos, this is my new favorite spot - I really can't see any reason to go anywhere else. I'm eager to head back and try some other tacos, or their choriqueso, or....OK, maybe just a big pile of the al pastor!

[mrbigjas]

as a side note, we discovered last week that they don't serve the frijoles a la charra on sundays. we asked why and were told that on sundays they have the lamb with soup, and they only cook up one kind of soup a day. most days it's frijoles; sundays it's barbacoa.

(i didn't ask if he meant goat, since most of the mexican places around serve up goat on sundays)

[Jeff L]

philadining, on Dec 3 2006, 02:42 AM, said:

[img]

Gonna have to change my avatar now

This post has been edited by Jeff L: 03 December 2006 - 07:09 AM

[GlorifiedRice]

Im surprised that no one has mentioned El Sombrero in Avondale, Pa..

Groceries, Fresh made food (Including bags of fresh tamales) and still wam tortillas from their $1 Million Dollar machine!
http://www.mytravelg..._Store_Inc.html

[mrbigjas]

GlorifiedRice, on Dec 3 2006, 10:40 AM, said:

Im surprised that no one has mentioned El Sombrero in Avondale, Pa..

Groceries, Fresh made food (Including bags of fresh tamales) and still wam tortillas from their $1 Million Dollar machine!
http://www.mytravelg..._Store_Inc.html

well it does say 'in philly.' i think that el sombrero has been mentioned in the chester county restaurants thread, but i'm not sure.

[KatieLoeb]

I called to confirm and Jose's has the Chicken-Ginger soup again, now that it's cold out.

I know what I'm having for dinner tonight!

[philadining]

Return visit to La Puebla. Tried the Choriqueso

which was good, but I've had better, I would have liked a better crust on the cheese and more chorizo flavor.

Got and order of Cachete Tacos (beef cheek)

which were luxuriously soft and fatty, a little gelatinous, and actually not all that flavorful. A splash of salsa, and some of the onions, radishes, and nopales provided helped a bit. But overall I think I just prefer a taco filling with a bit bolder flavor and firmer texture.

Such as the crusty, tender, sweet Tacos al Pastor

Man, those are great.

Also had some guacamole, which is simple and good (and cheap) but needs more chips.

For dessert, another order of Tacos al Pastor. Really.

I'm still looking forward to trying more things here, but I might end up just sticking with the pork and pineapple...

Oh, and BTW, there were two of us eating, shame on you for thinking I'm THAT gluttonous!

This post has been edited by philadining: 11 December 2006 - 09:40 AM

[serpentine]

I have a hard time ordering anything except tacos al pastor and the cemita al pastor. But the cemita especial (steak milanesa, nopales, poblano, oaxaca cheese, avocado, onion, etc.) is even bigger than the other cemitas, and is damn fine.

[philadining]

I think I saw one of those Cemitas Especial- it was HUGE! The roll looked to be about the size of the guy's head. What was really impressive though, was that this guy, who was not very big, made quick work of the sandwich, then ate a plate of tacos too.

[serpentine]

Quote

I think I saw one of those Cemitas Especial- it was HUGE! The roll looked to be about the size of the guy's head. What was really impressive though, was that this guy, who was not very big, made quick work of the sandwich, then ate a plate of tacos too.

You should be ordering the cemita de pastor. It's like twice the al pastory goodness...with avocado. And a half a sandwich leftover for the next day. (OR, cook up some rice and beans and add the filling of the sandwich. Toast leftover bread to use as roll. Yes, I eat there so often that I have multiple ways to use my leftovers.)

I'd also like to point out that in addition to the horchata, they've got a changing roster of aguas that are always a nice accompaniment to the food. I haven't seen the tepeche (pineapple cider) for awhile, but have recently had very nice melon water recently, and last week they were doing jamaica. Mmm.

[Buckethead]

I was there last night and had the cemitas al pastor, it was just too much. I made the mistake of eating the whole thing and I regretted it later. The roll is just too much bread! It's very good bread, but I still prefer the tacos. The plain corn tortilla really lets the filling shine. If you want to add avocado, that bowl of green sauce they bring has bits of avocado in it. We also had the choriqueso, which I agree is too much cheese, not enough chorizo.

Can anyone tell me what that white liquid is in the jet-spray machine near the kitchen? It looks like the fermented pineapple juice I've had in another tacqueria.

[KatieLoeb]

Buckethead, on Dec 14 2006, 05:00 PM, said:

Can anyone tell me what that white liquid is in the jet-spray machine near the kitchen? It looks like the fermented pineapple juice I've had in another tacqueria.

Methinks that would the horchata agua fresca.

[philadining]

I think I'm officially addicted.

I was wandering the Italian Market over the weekend and was irresistibly drawn into Los Taquitos de Puebla. A quick order of Tacos al Pastor, amazingly delicious as usual, and I was on my way, safe from making irresponsible hunger-induced purchases along 9th street. (or so I thought - somehow I still managed to spend obscene amounts of money in Claudios...)

Three Tacos al Pastor from this place is now my favorite $5 meal in the city.

[Neuronix]

KatieLoeb, on Dec 14 2006, 03:16 PM, said:

Buckethead, on Dec 14 2006, 05:00 PM, said:

Can anyone tell me what that white liquid is in the jet-spray machine near the kitchen? It looks like the fermented pineapple juice I've had in another tacqueria.

Methinks that would the horchata agua fresca.

It is, and it's pretty good. My girlfriend and I plowed through 4 cups of it I dunno where else you can get horchata around here. It's a rice based drink that I liken to drinking a thinner blended rice pudding.

The alambres are quite tasty as well. This place very much reminded me of Mexico, except some of the things I'm used to being included with your meal in Mexico (a little bowl of soup, grilled green onions) didn't come with the meals. Tacos al pastor were of course sublime.

That being said, the frijoles charros didn't really do it for me. It turned out to be a beef and bean soup that was ok, but nothing amazing. We should have spent the $5 on more al pastor

[KatieLoeb]

I've seen horchata at Mexico Lindo in Camden, at Michoacana in Norristown (where it's very good!) and also at Taqueria la Veracruzana on Washington Ave. It's around. Sometimes it might not be on display like it is a la Puebla.

It definitely tastes like drinkable rice pudding!

[serpentine]

Oh, I really like the frijoles charros -- I just had this again on Saturday. But I saw someone else order it before I ordered it the first time, so I knew it would be a soup. (If I had just ordered it based on the menu description, I think I would've imagined it to be a bit like a Mexican cassoulet or a rice & beans dish.)

Buckethead, I raved about the tepeche (fermented pineapple juice) at la Puebla in an earlier post -- I can confirm that it is pineapple-colored. The white drink, as noted previously, is the horchata.

Also, Plaza Garibaldi has the superior queso fundido con chorizo in these parts, IMO.

[KatieLoeb]

Quote

Also, Plaza Garibaldi has the superior queso fundido con chorizo in these parts, IMO.

Although I've certainly not tried this dish everywhere, I'd have to concur.

It's kinda greasy, but that's part of the charm...

[mrbigjas]

i never liked garibaldi's fundido, the couple of times i had it. not enough melty cheese, too much other stuff.

but that's neither here nor there. this is the information i have to impart tonight:

taqueria la veracruzana delivers, and if you're near this part of town (somewhere south of south street, pretty much river to river), the food comes nearly as quickly as if you were ordering it in the restaurant. i mean, they said 20-35 minutes, and it was here in about 25 minutes. i mean, that's ridiculously fast. and it's still good, too--i know the al pastor at the other place is better, and i know garibaldi's is more full-service, and whatnot, but seriously the amount of tasty food we got delivered in 25 minutes for $15 was ridiculous. aaaaaaw yeah

[serpentine]

Happy one year anniversary (last Monday) to Taqueria Taquitos de Puebla! They've re-printed their menus acknowledging the anniversary, and posted a list of specials on the door. From what the owner said, though specials are not necessarily specials so much as they are highlighted menu items. (That may be a little special, depending on what they feel like doing that night.) Anyway, we decided to branch out and try some new things, as we frequent the the place for tacos or cemita al pastor or longaniza tacos.

Last night I had the arrachara tacos, which were very tender steak (I would've said marinated flank, except that there was no obvious marinade flavor?) No gristle, trimmed lean, and lots of it. To my delight, it was served with a pile of grilled cactus and sauteed onions, with avocado, tomatoes, and some queso fresco on the side. Thumbs up.

My SO had the tacos with chuleta ahumado (smoked pork chop.) Excellent, smoky cubes of meat. I shared my copious accompaniments, since his tacos didn't come with all of that. Also thumbs up.

[grayelf]

Popping in from the Vancouver BC board to let you all know how much I wish I lived in Philly. The reason: Taqueria Taquitos de Puebla. This is the first time I've ever seen tacos al pastor done the way I long for from days past in coastal towns of Mexico: upright "gyros style" cooking method with pineapple on top and sliced onto the meat, just raw onions and cilantro, no sauce but what you add yourself from the several bowls on offer and a squeeze of lime. A side order of the chubby grilled spring onions, a giant bottle of Coke or beer of your choice and it's all over but the shouting. I looked for this setup in San Francisco both times I visited (2003 and 2 weeks ago) to no avail and had about decided no one made 'em that way outside Puerto Vallarta and environs. Thanks for sharing your descriptions and photos -- I will continue to seek my holy grail of sheperd's tacos

[KatieLoeb]

grayelf:

Should you ever find a reason (besides the tacos) to find yourself in Philly, I'm certain any number of us would be happy to accompany you on the quest for the Al Pastor tacos. Heck, I'm sure we could arrange a proper tour for you of the various taquerias and some proper libations to boot.

Let us know when you're coming...

[grayelf]

KatieLoeb, on Nov 26 2007, 09:37 PM, said:

grayelf:

Should you ever find a reason (besides the tacos) to find yourself in Philly, I'm certain any number of us would be happy to accompany you on the quest for the Al Pastor tacos.  Heck, I'm sure we could arrange a proper tour for you of the various taquerias and some proper libations to boot.

Let us know when you're coming...

That's right neighbourly of you. Beware, I may just take you up on it. And of course, should you find yourself in Vancouver and looking for somewhere off the beaten track to snack, just PM me!

[mattohara]

there are a few new mexican shops opening up here on south 9th. one is a bakery and there's at least one new restaurant as well. i'll post back when i check them out. it's just so hard to not go to Taquitos de Puebla...

[michael_g]

mattohara, on Nov 29 2007, 02:16 AM, said:

there are a few new mexican shops opening up here on south 9th.  one is a bakery and there's at least one new restaurant as well.  i'll post back when i check them out.  it's just so hard to not go to Taquitos de Puebla...

I restrained myself and hit up Moctezuma on Tuesday, on 9th between Ellsworth and Washington. They opened up about a month and a half ago.

My friend and I split a chicken breast special (first on the list, with a cheesy topping of what I think were nopalitos) and the lamb flautas. Both were excellent, and we were pleasantly surprised by the succulence of the chicken. Their beans were good, but the rice with the chicken was a little wet/overcooked for my taste. The tortilla chips came with two standard salsas: guajillo chilli and salsa verde. The guajillo chilli salsa was great: a perfect blend of earthiness and spiciness, much better than Veracruzana's. The salsa verde was spicy but not as flavorful as it could have been. My friend's horchata tasted homemade, less chemical than at Veracruzana. The nutmeg on top was a nice touch, too. Service was friendly; the manager spoke English excellently and was very solicitous.

Having not tried the tacos, I can't really compare with Taquitos de Puebla. Guess I've got to go back...

[grayelf]

You guys are killing me! But I can't stop reading as the jealousy mounts...

michael_g, on Nov 29 2007, 09:56 AM, said:

mattohara, on Nov 29 2007, 02:16 AM, said:

there are a few new mexican shops opening up here on south 9th.  one is a bakery and there's at least one new restaurant as well.  i'll post back when i check them out.  it's just so hard to not go to Taquitos de Puebla...

I restrained myself and hit up Moctezuma on Tuesday, on 9th between Ellsworth and Washington. They opened up about a month and a half ago.

My friend and I split a chicken breast special (first on the list, with a cheesy topping of what I think were nopalitos) and the lamb flautas. Both were excellent, and we were pleasantly surprised by the succulence of the chicken. Their beans were good, but the rice with the chicken was a little wet/overcooked for my taste. The tortilla chips came with two standard salsas: guajillo chilli and salsa verde. The guajillo chilli salsa was great: a perfect blend of earthiness and spiciness, much better than Veracruzana's. The salsa verde was spicy but not as flavorful as it could have been. My friend's horchata tasted homemade, less chemical than at Veracruzana. The nutmeg on top was a nice touch, too. Service was friendly; the manager spoke English excellently and was very solicitous.

Having not tried the tacos, I can't really compare with Taquitos de Puebla. Guess I've got to go back...

[rooy1960]

Tamarindo's in Blue Bell and the nearly orgasmic Paloma in the Northeast. love, love, love these two places!