CatumEntanglement t1_ir1vx36 wrote on October 4, 2022 at 6:54 PM

Do you like tacos? Then go to Taco Caliente on Chandler. No fuss taco shop but authtucally flavored tacos that aren't texmex.

LastFreeMason t1_ir20f92 wrote on October 4, 2022 at 7:22 PM

I can second taco caliente for the more authentic flavor profile

guybehindawall t1_ir26ye9 wrote on October 4, 2022 at 8:02 PM

Dude I knew from San Antonio (that's Tacoland) said Caliente was the best in the area, I trust him on that.

CatumEntanglement t1_ir29xsj wrote on October 4, 2022 at 8:20 PM

I was born in California so I have this innate yearning for the mexican flavor profile of yore I experienced as a kid. Most of the examples in this thread are fine, but they are tex-mex. Taco Cailente will have huitlacoche and nopales on the menu if they're able to get them. They'll also have good soups (hominy or tripe) on weekends. These aren't common ingredients in mexican restaurants outside the southwest/west.

ganduvo t1_ir26uz7 wrote on October 4, 2022 at 8:01 PM

The few times I tried them I did not love the meat preparations--they tasted like they were all cooked in the AM then sat in a warming pan full of juices all day. Weren't my favorite but maybe I'll have to try again. I prefer Pepe's and El Patron for authentic tacos but wish they did their own tortillas. Haven't really found a perfect taco spot around here. I was admittedly spoiled by San Diego tacos for 6 years so I will probably never be fully satisfied.

CatumEntanglement t1_ir28m69 wrote on October 4, 2022 at 8:12 PM

Did you try the birria taco? I've never felt they tasted like they were overly stewed. But I've always hit them in the early afternoon. They have specials like taco pirata and weekend soup options.

ganduvo t1_ir2c7bh wrote on October 4, 2022 at 8:34 PM

I'm not a huge fan of the birria thing. I like the classics (carne asada/carnitas/al pastor) and Caliente fell flat on those when I tried them. Been a while though.

thoughtfillednorth t1_ir3ec6l wrote on October 5, 2022 at 1:07 AM

You are 100% correct. Birra tacos aren't noticibly different in taste profiles. People don't order them enough due to expense or messiness or extra cost and then the meat sits around and there's nothing I've really tasted which made any big impact that made them better IMHO.

Al pastor is so tasty!

ganduvo t1_ir3kn3y wrote on October 5, 2022 at 1:56 AM

The sopping wet/cheesy/consomme thing really doesn't do it for me. Feels like hazy IPAs; a consumable fad that needs to go away. Maybe I'm just a crotchety 35 year old.

Wish there was a place in town that did proper al pastor. Would be all over that.