Ghazi -
Here's what kind of taco hounds I know -
They were planning on going to La Placita yesterday the moment I told them, but he had an issue with his newborn.
So he went today. As he pulled into the lot, he called and said that even tho there were plenty of ppl , there was no char grill aroma in the air.
Strike one.
When you are on the same block as Las Asadas, and La P, you SMELL steak on the grill. Asadas in Des plaines has a chimney that spits out char grill steak smoke. You KNOW what's up when you drive by. There is no mistaking that grilled steak aroma.
Now, granted, we both cut our teeth on Las Americanas, La Pasadita, and Las Asadas, and we are both big fans of Asadero as well, but we are ALWAYS on the lookout for a new great joint. I fully trust his judgement, and gave him the full barrage of questioning:
Salsa? "Ok. I asked for their hottest salsa. It was ok."
Steak? "It was more like hamburger than steak. It had a decent char to it, but it was mushy like hamburger. Whoever said this place was good has probably not been to Pasadita or Asadas. It was probably the best stuff in the area, but I would probably never come here again. I can go to Burger King for a char grilled hamburger. When I want char grilled STEAK, I go to Asadas, or Pasadita. I was able to eat it, I didn't throw it against the wall, but it wasn't good. It was at best, OK."
Now, I still might go if I'm ever out that way, but he advised me not to. He said that if I went, I'd be legitimately pissed off. Nobody is mad here, in fact, he did say it was OK, and was glad to try it - since we both like to try new spots when they are recommended (even though 95% of he time, it turns out to be a joke.) He conceded that it just might be possible that some ppl DO prefer hamburger to steak - it IS offered on many taqueria menus. We have a very pronounced preference to juicy, char-grilled skirt steak. It's like having a very good steak off the grill in your back yard wrapped in a tortilla. I have a long standing theory (and it's just a theory) that a lot of ppl have no idea that really good steak is available at a few Chicagoland taquerias, so they settle for the best of the garbage, like Taco Burrito Palace, El Famous, etc.
So, this was just my friend's opinion after trying it out. I forgot most of the things he said, but I assure you, I wouldn't be able to post them - he said them in good fun, cuz we're cool like that. One thing he DID say, was that "it was a step up from El Famous." Which, to me, is damning by faint praise. Of course, it could have been an off day, but, I've never encountered "steak" with ther consistency of hamburger at La P, Asadas, or Asadero. I don't wish to discourage others from trying if they plan to, either. Please go, and we'll hope this was an off day. I'd LOVE for this joint to be great. Always good to have options.
Last edited by
seebee on July 23rd, 2009, 6:56 pm, edited 1 time in total.
We cannot be friends if you do not know the difference between Mayo and Miracle Whip.
Pronoun: That fool over there
Identifies as: A human that doesn't need to "identify as" something to try to somehow be interesting.