Tacos Neza

Elite '08

378

2636

Anita L.

Irvine, CA

UPDATED: After trying other barbacoa places and lamb broth as well I'll have to say this place is just OK. My original review was my very first experience with barbacoa so I had nothing to compare it with.
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At the suggestion of Matthew C, our families got together today for lunch at this Mexican hole in the wall for some authentic fare. Matthew was apologetic about the decor but hey, anyone who knows us know that we don't really care about the decor as long as the food is great (although I will comment on the decor somewhat), but if the food is awful and the decor is excellent, I probably would slam it regardless.

There were many items on the menu I was unfamiliar with (*shock* *horror*) such as barbacoa. After reading up on it on line, I found that barbacoa is as vague to us as it is to Mexicans. There seems to be a varied way to prepare it whether using beef or lamb, but the general consensus is that traditionally, it is a slow cooked dish (both by steaming and smoking) where the meat becomes fork-tender.

The lamb arrived wrapped in foil and was indeed, fork-tender. Accompanying this was a large bowl of soup (consomme de borego) made from the drippings of the lamb. The soup was outstanding, flavorful without the gamey taste of lamb. In fact, if this was steamed lamb, then it was a touch of genius because I'd never had steamed lamb without that strong gamey taste.

We also got some tacos al pastor which is the restaurant's specialty. They were also very flavorful with a touch of heat. Lil guy really liked the al pastor. Hubby got some dish which I can't pronounce, but it arrived on a fried tortilla with your meat of choice (in his case, al pastor) topped with queso. That was quite good also.

Everything was good, but heavy. In fact, I got a severe stomach ache later on that day because I think I overdid it with the meat. Our order of barbacoa was 1/2 lb of meat (the lady at the counter at first was ready to give me a whole pound of meat but I had to tell her no). I think I would've been hospitalized with that much meat. I ate almost the entire order of the barbacoa, the soup, plus one taco. Should've stuck to 1/4 pound of meat with the soup and I would've been fine.

Clientele is Mexican. There is a 'salsa bar' -- 2 salsas, cilantro, onions, salsa fresca, a sauteed onion and peppers item, radishes & carrots. Bring your Tums if your stomach is like mine or weaker.

Thanks Matthew for introducing us to this!

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Elite '08

27

200

Matthew C.

Irvine, CA

Terrific Tacos al pastor - redoent of orange peel.
Barbacoa on the weekends - the broth is so rich you get a head rush form each spoonfull.
Total dive, right near the highay.

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