TacoBell goes TacoBus

[Hector]

Thanks, fellas...


Even within Mexico...cuisine varies greatly region to region.

If you were to be served food from Veracruz...and then eat in Jalisco...it would be like two totally different worlds altogether...completely different foods...

[saildog]

I deem myself to be a major Mexican food snob(runs in my family) and I would never discount Tejas, let alone Arizona and New Mexico. It's all geographically depended and what pockets of Mexican community one encounters. On my road trips I've visited many a places that have amazing Mex food, especially Tejas.
I miss the Southwest.

Having been there, you get where I am coming from with that statement. However, the statements I have read in publications and the actual comments I have heard first hand from people in my travels have been pretty idiotic when it comes to this subject.

Yes, there is a distinction between Tex-Mex and Authentic. However, it's not an all or none proposition in a BORDER STATE (or on the Moon for that matter). That distinction exists in the minds of idiots who think Mexican Food can only be found in Mexico.

I'm pretty sure they don't call it Authentic Mexican Food in Mexico. They probably just call it "food" or "lunch" or "dinner" down there.

[SeattleEd]

I'm glad to see someone whom I consider an authority make that statement.

What most folks in the US think of as "Mexican Food" is, in reality, "Tex-Mex" (nachos, chimichangas, hard shell tacos...liberal use of cheese and cumin). As a result, some food snobs tend to be dismissive of Texas in this arena. However, you can find puh-lenty of "Authentic" Mexican Food (as distinguished from Tex-Mex) in Tejas.

That's not say I don't love some Tex-Mex because I do, but I do realize there is a distinction (as do you).

I deem myself to be a major Mexican food snob(runs in my family) and I would never discount Tejas, let alone Arizona and New Mexico. It's all geographically depended and what pockets of Mexican community one encounters. On my road trips I've visited many a places that have amazing Mex food, especially Tejas.
I miss the Southwest.

[saildog]

Man...the only other state in the USA that can match California in Mex food is indeed Texas...

I'm glad to see someone whom I consider an authority make that statement.

What most folks in the US think of as "Mexican Food" is, in reality, "Tex-Mex" (nachos, chimichangas, hard shell tacos...liberal use of cheese and cumin). As a result, some food snobs tend to be dismissive of Texas in this arena. However, you can find puh-lenty of "Authentic" Mexican Food (as distinguished from Tex-Mex) in Tejas.

That's not say I don't love some Tex-Mex because I do, but I do realize there is a distinction (as do you).

[livnxxxl]

I'm actually considering starting a blog on food...seriously...

That is definitely cool Hec. Like Nike "Just do it".

[livnxxxl]

Ok...comparisons...

Taco Bell (generic pic)...

http://chefmoz.org/img/ctoys/TacoBellHillRd.jpg

Tacos el Gordo in Oakland (I took this pic today)...

http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4141/4927629721_6a55e49d86.jpg

Tacos el Gordo are on the left...Taco Bell Cantina tacos on the right (on pure looks, Taco Bell Cantina tacos look very messy, lol)...

http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4082/4927629875_db6e909d40.jpg

Again...tacos el Gordo...

http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4102/4927684319_1ce3fd1250_z.jpg

Taco Bell Cantina tacos...

http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4081/4927684331_512be50cdd_z.jpg

Pricing...Tacos el Gordo are $1.38 each...Taco Bell Cantina tacos are $1.69 each (plus 39 cents extra for guacamole)...Taco Bell Cantina tacos are bigger....but basically twice as expensive (that's if you ask for guacamole or other specialty toppings)...so what you see is essentially in the pictures are $5 plates from both competing tacos (although you can get a three taco meal with drink at Taco Bell for about $6).

http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4097/4928225416_223f20a95c.jpg

The Taco Bell Cantina steak taco was actually pretty good...actually very close to authentic in taste...I was actually impressed...although...the corn tortilla itself was a bit stale and lacked the greasy covering of Tacos el Gordo...but for you health nuts...it's better option than the taco truck tacos.

However...I was HIGHLY disappointed with Taco Bell Cantina carnitas taco...it was pretty awful...didn't even remotely challenged the authentic carnitas of Tacos el Gordo...miles apart in flavor. Part of the reason is because Taco Bell carnitas are not fried...they lack that fatty goodness of Tacos el Gordo...lol.

The salsa is also much superior in Tacos el Gordo. It also comes with whole grilled little onions, radish, and grilled jalapeño peppers...yum.

El pastor tacos at Tacos el Gordo was on another level however (super delicious)...better than straight carnitas...but Taco Bell doesn't make al pastor style...so I couldn't compare in that area.

I didn't buy a chicken taco in either place...but the burritos from Tacos el Gordo were indeed chicken burritos...that was for the rest of the family...lol.

Overall...I do recommend the Taco Bell Cantina steak taco...but pass on the carnitas...and I'm pretty sure the chicken taco is decent too.

There's my verdict...I hope that helps...now excuse me...gotta finish these...

http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4121/4927630047_c205c91021.jpg

Hec, You are too much my friend. I am loving your review and the pictures are awesome. Excellent attention to detail.

[livnxxxl]

Hector, you should be a food writer or host a food show.

You definitely have the knowledge to put out some kind of book, publication, or podcast about food.

I totally agree!

[livnxxxl]

Man! Hec, You are seriously making me drool here dude. I am going to have to stop viewing this thread as evertime I do it makes me hungry again.

I am really craving that Quesadilla with Oaxaca cheese, Taco Bell tacos better than Taco Bell and the Carnitas for starters.

Sadly, Taco Hell is about as mexican as I eat here in these parts. I know that is not really Mexican per se. There is a place that my gf and I have been to a couple of times called Casa Galardo's. They were OK. There was another place that we ate at by our Lake House at the Lake of the Ozarks. I cannot remember the name now. That is how big of impression that is must have had on me. LOL!!

Dude! With entrees like that you missed your true calling. You need to be hired as someone's personal chef. If my gf and I were big into Mexican food I would definitely entertain that thought.

[SeattleEd]

Orale, tu mama si sabe.
Mexico is just a mesh of different cultures. Love it and the food is excelente.

Proud be part of the Raza y Americano!

Taco time!!

[Hector]

Yes...they are called buñuelos in most of Mexico...but in Chihuahua (where my mom is from)...they call them sopaipillas...

[SeattleEd]

Interesting.
They look more like Buñuelos since it's made with a flour dough based tortilla. That's how most places I've seen in Mexico and American make it. My grandmother made them that way back in San Luis Potosi.
Sopaipillas to me are fried pastry breads filled or layered with meat or sweet. Can be a appetizer, entree or desert.
Like you said, Hec. It's all regional and different in parts of Latin America, and Spain.

But, hombre, parece que tu prepares comida my rica, mano.

After seeing those tacos, we plan on hitting a taco truck before we go see Machete and grub while watching the movie. Mexican style!

[Hector]

oye te pasaste Don Hector con las fotitos...Me ase aqua la boca..yuuuuumy....Wow, Sopaipillas...are they Mexican? I'm from Chile, and i thought they were native to us. I never knew other countries even knew what they were...The difference i think is in the dough, we add some mashed squash as well..And then once we fry them, we leave them soaking in warm molasses....Ohhhhh heavenly i tell you...

Sopaipillas are made throughout Latin America...but obviously different variations (your Chilean one sounds delicious).

The Mexican one is very simple...just cut flour tortillas into triangles...deep fry...let them rest over a paper towel...then sprinkle sugar (white or brown) and cinnamon powder over them...

...they are served and eaten crispy...

[MegoAddict]

oye te pasaste Don Hector con las fotitos...Me ase aqua la boca..yuuuuumy....Wow, Sopaipillas...are they Mexican? I'm from Chile, and i thought they were native to us. I never knew other countries even knew what they were...The difference i think is in the dough, we add some mashed squash as well..And then once we fry them, we leave them soaking in warm molasses....Ohhhhh heavenly i tell you...

[Hector]

[TEXASFETT]

Cunado quieras...estás invitado!

Sweet bro remember! I'll let you know one day like to check out comic con next year. So need a really long vacation. If you ever come down here let me know and give you the tour of San Anto crazy fun over here and great Mexican food!