I was ecstatic, the secret restaurant concept is one that makes any foodie swoon with giddiness. And there it was...
From the Puebla provinces of Mexico, Tia Flor slaughters one sheep, and one sheep only every single Saturday.
She breaks the night, dwelling into twilight hours of Sunday, tossing and turning the smoldering Maguey cactus leaves that moisten and infuse the fresh mutton chunks that it encapsulates within. The ash temperature can turn to toughening hell in a sleep-derived blink of an eye.
I will say what is to be said, that is: foolhardy consistence. Then again, hell's oven really has no way of being controlled, thus, the concept of consistence--in this case--is quite contrary. This is not the best I've had in my life--that would be this guy in the corroding streets of East D.F (Ahuizontla, Nacaulpan), he makes a three hour trek from ______ every Sunday morning. But just as his tender game runs out by the strike of noon...so does hers.
My first taste of the stuff was actually at my house, take-out, personal delivery right after--no meeting parents for me, thank you very much! At first taste...smoke, in it's most subtle of way's I've EVER experienced it before, unlike any of the restaurant stuff I've had around here before. The flesh itself actually had flavor, my mind was running lucid imagining how her Consomé, the broth that leaks of the lamb as it roasts, would be like.
My foodie apparition was correct, spiked with creamy Garbanzo's, it was utterly unami in every savory sense of it, along with that subtle smokiness...
She also griddles up some'!
Quesadilla's here are stuffed with the Mexican Exotics Canon: First, the notorious jet oil-black stuff known as Huitlacoche that is the epitome of the "earthy" flavor characteristic. Second, Flor de Calabasa (Squash Blossom's) that are marinated. And last, the strikingly aromatic herb that Aztec's knew as "Skunk Plant" aka Epazote.
Mention "con todo" and your fresh-made tortillas raptures will be truly glutted. Hongos, mushrooms that are snipped up into tiny little rectangles and of course, Chicharron (fried pig skin), that is fried to jagged crispness and also cut into confetti-sized pieces. You will be surprised to see how much those aforementioned sized items adds immensely to overall awesomeness.
Consistence in this category is fail-safe, hence, these are the best Quesadillas I have ever had the pleasure of.
With this, a description of her Salsa supplements is almost mandatory.
Behold:
Tangy Tomatillo Green,
Tomato--not chile--based Red (don't let tomato fool, packs a punch)
Cured Red Onion and Habanero Relish...fucken fire.
I was also introduced to a Jaliscan Neveria (Ice Cream) street vendor that makes some of the smoothest water/cream-based, natural Tamarindo nieve I have ever tasted.
Doña Evangelica also sticks to old world ways, from house-to-back-of-truck vending, the making of these Nieves takes several day's. Ice Cream making is a full arm workout, churning and churning for two hours, or however long it takes for the rock-salt and ice solution to do it's thing on five gallon steel tubs filled with base. She starts on Tuesday and goes on making the stuff until showtime: Friday, Saturday and Sunday.
Doused with a strong Chamoy sauce she actually makes from scratch, it's originally made from apricots for a Mexican Sundae sort of thing, on a Sunday afternoon. This usually follows a trip out to that ghetto Barbacoreria, and it's like also like an esoteric godsend after all that spicy, heavy food.
Mmmmmm...occult debauchery.
And they also do a Tequila Nieve for special occasion.
"Ohh...sure! I'll be happy to meet your parents..."
Garcias Mexican Ice Cream:
cell: (323) 271-9437
(323) 309-6313
On corner of Potrero Grande St. and Rush St. (Citizens Business Bank parking lot)
Secret Barbacoa
shhh...it's a secret!
11 comments:
Mmm, want to try. I won't tell, I promise.
Although in the current heat, what I really want to try is that tamarindo nieve! Looks sooo good.
javier, you are one lucky f*cker. secret barbacoa & girls??? what an awesome life! :D
Love the skull pic!
Looks amazing. Wow. I can't wait to try the secret meat feast!
Jocie
Hi Teenage Glutster,
That Barbacoa looks so good! Lucky! :) If you ever need help consuming some of the Barbacoa let me know. (^_~) It looks and sounds delicious.
Javier,
Your secret is safe with me. It was strange to eat a meal and not take photos, but it was well worth the sacrifice to experience one of the most memorable eating adventures ever. Thanks again for sharing your find. That quesadilla was magical, with so many distinct textures and flavors. The barbacoa was outstanding, and the pancita - chile-slathered sheep intestines and stomach - were at least as compelling. That was a meal that will haunt me. In a good way.
I would like to participate in the secret, yes! Now I just have to figure out when I am free on a secret day -- my husband has been planning so many trips for us lately that I don't even know where I'm going until I go. ;)
Nice, you have your own little secret to blow wide open
Food In World History and Cultures
A 10-day summer program for teachers at the UCLA International
Institute traces the evolution of regional and cross-regional food
cultures from antiquity to the present, underscoring how food
preferences reflect the interplay of local cultures, geographies, and
socio-political configurations, in the context of broader realities
such as transnational economic networks and environmental change.
Im not sure if you need to be a teacher, but if your interested heres
the link:
http://www.international.ucla.edu/outreach/article.asp?parentid=108327
nevermind. i checked, you do have to be a teacher.
i tried.
mary
That's a great address there. LOL.
There are a couple decent restaurants there. Manna, the Korean place, where the food seems lame, but, after a few bites, it has that homemade flavor that really sucks you in. There's also Fogata Mexicana, who make a decent fish taco. Up the hill to the south is Arroyo Donuts - good ones. Up to the north a ways is Babita.
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