11:00 AM
Janice
After passing by the new La Taqueria on Cambie a few times, we finally got the chance to give it a try, since there was a show nearby. Although the original one is very close to Harbour Centre, I actually have never tried it before (because I've never had a class at Harbour Centre). La Taqueria started as a small taco shop at Hastings, but has since then opened another shop on Cambie, cross from the Broadway City Hall Skytrain station.
My first visit was actually to the Cambie one in August, but I've made a few visits to the Hastings one since then. I've been delaying this post for a while now because I kept getting confused as to which taco was which and wanted to go back to refresh my memory (also because it's so good). But I went back and didn't manage to try them all again, so I'll leave the in-depth descriptions for now.
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| Larger menu available on their site |
On my first visit, I had the de lengua (braised beef tongue, left) and the al pastor (pork marinated in achiote chili and pineapple, right) ($2.50 each for meat tacos, or $9.50 or four). They were both very strong in flavour, which is what I think Mexican food should be. If no one told me that meat on the left was beef tongue, I don't think I would have known. I always imagined beef tongue to be tough since it's a muscle -- but here, it was quite soft. I pork was a bit more chunky. The tangerine soda, served in a glass bottle, was also really good. Apparently, you can't buy them anywhere else because La Taqueria imports it themselves.
Kem also had two tacos -- I'm not sure what the one on the right is, but the left one is the pescado (grilled season fish with pico de gallo).
The other day, I went to the Hastings one again during a break from a workshop at Harbour Centre. A few other girls followed me, so I really hoped they would like it as well since they based their food decision on what I was having. I was a bit surprised that none of them knew about it! I don't have any pics to document this visit unfortunately! But I had the de lengua again and the rajas con crema, which has roasted poblano peppers with creamed corn, sour cream, and mexican cheese which was absolutely delightful ($2 for veggie taco). I like both corn and sour cream, so this was a good choice. The poblano peppers were quite spicy though.
I also got the horchata ($3), and it was my first time having it... ever! I've heard enough about it from Vampire Weekend's song, Horchata. It's a very interesting blend of barley and cinnamon and possibly other stuff (such as almonds, rice.... not sure if these are in La Taqueria's horchata though.) It doesn't have ice cubes with it, so it's flavour doesn't really get watered down. Quite refreshing, though I'm not the biggest fan. I like their tangerine sodas more. Also, fortunately, the feedback I got from the girls was overall very positive!
Rating: ★★★★★
Lot's of variety and the restaurants are really cute! Didn't mention this before, but the chefs/servers are really nice and will explain the tacos and sauces if you ask (and if you don't ask at the Cambie one). They aren't exactly that filling, though they make good meals if you're not that hungry in the first place and just want something to snack on.La Taqueria (Across from Broadway City Hall Station)
Vancouver, BC
(604) 568-4406
La Taqueria (Downtown - one block from Harbour Centre)
322 West Hastings Street
Vancouver, BC
(604) 568-4406
2 comments:
There is no such thing as "authentic" Mexican taco. Similar to dumplings where each part of the world have their own regional variation, different regions in Mexico will serve tacos differently. The only we usually see as "authentic" Mexican taco is usually the one found near the US/Mexico border. For example, fish tacos is from Baja California. There are some variations you would find outside of those regions: the one I still kick my ass for not trying while in Mexico City was a taco made with blue corn. On that note, in Mexico City, the taco shop I visited serve the taco "naked", i.e., just the taco and the meat. You would then top it with radish, nopales (edible cactii) and, oddly enough, fries.
On that note, actually, no: flavours in most LAC cuisine tend to be subtle compared to other cuisines. It relies a lot on sauces, herbs and similar condiments (garlic, peppers, et al) but, by itself, it seldom is overpowering. It is the adaptation for US tastebuds that have "forced" it to be stronger.
BTW, last time I was in La Taqueria, their soda was Jarritos. Even if it is the Mexican Coca-Cola (which, unlike the American one, it is made with sugar cane, rather than HCFS), these can be found in pretty much any Latin grocery story.
(Don't get me wrong, La Taqueria is good in its own ways! But, for comparison purposes, you should visit Doña Cata in Victoria Drive or Playa Tropical in New West)
@KimHo: Thanks for commenting, I can always rely on you for your wealth of knowledge! And yes, it was Jarritos! I forgot the name of it... I will let my friend know, her boyfriend kinda loves it.
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