LTT: Tacos Adobada from Tacos El Gordo

During my recent trip to San Diego for Comic-Con, I wanted to try some new grub I normally didn't have access to. With San Diego's rich Hispanic heritage, I figured Mexican food was going to be the best way to go. Enter Tacos El Gordo in Chula Vista, just about fifteen minutes away from SD.

I was craving authentic tacos, and this place gives you that. If you're not a fan of crossing the border to get your grub on, I can safely say this is the most authentic tacos I've tasted in the States. The choices in meat is the most I've ever seen as well, even rivaling some of the best taco stands in Mexico.

• de Cabeza (Beef Head)
• de Lengua (Beef Tongue)
• de Sesos (Beef Brain)
• de Buche (Pork Esophagus)
• de Adobada (Spicy Pork)
• de Asada (Steak)
• de Tripa (Beef Intestines)

You know, as I plugged in the English definitions for all these beloved tacos, I realized why most places just generalize everything under Pork, Beef, or Chicken: because they wouldn't be able to sell squat! Honestly, it sounds horrible... but it's horribly good.

Authentic TJ tacos like these are very small. They usually consist of your choice meat, salsa, onions, cilantro, and guacamole or guacatillo (a very simple avocado-based salsa), held altogether by a small corn tortilla. It took about six tacos to make me content, so keep that in mind if you hit this place up. That's all they really sell: tacos. There's no burritos or crazy combination plates, which only solidifies this place's authenticity in my eyes. Keep It Simple, Stupid.

The price, in my opinion, is good. It was a buck and change per taco. I had tacos de Adobada, which is what I would recommend to anyone reading this. They're absolutely delicious. "Adobada" is Spanish for "marinated", which describes the cooking technique for these particular tacos which are marinated in a red chili sauce. Spice isn't a huge issue, for those of you concerned. But flavor is! Again, absolutely incredible tacos served up my very talented taqueros.

This has to be my absolute favorite review for LTT so far. It's just so natural and organic. Having a round table discussion with your friends over lunch is as real as it gets. A very special thanks to my buddies Andrew, Edgar, and Ruben for making this one of my best reviews yet.