El Jefe Luchador - "Hardcore Mexican Street Food" - New in Deerfield Beach

[CFByrne]

Coming to Deerfied Beach from E&M Munchies, owners of Charm City Burger.

A new Restaurant and concept: El Jefe Luchador "Hardcore Mexican Street Food".

27 S. Federal Hwy, Deerfield Beach in the Pet Supermarket shopping center. Phone number is 954-246-Jefe (5333)

Regular hours begin Tuesday, May10th
11am-10pm & Fri,Sat 11am-12am.

Sounds interesting...

Menu images attached

[The Chowfather]

not impressed. all hype

[LiveRock]

Sorry CF, I beg to differ. Since my job moved south this is the one place I miss more than all of the good places in Deerfield. What I wouldn't give for just one more El Jefe Barbacoa Torta!

[erica]

CF: I would be interested to read more about your impressions, and why you discount this place. Why is it "all hype"? What did you order and what did you think of each dish? Would be a bit more helpful with a little more detail. Many thanks!

[CFByrne]

I too would like more details.

I’d like to hear where I can get a better taco in Palm Beach county (or SoFL for that matter) than the Taco de Chicharrones (crispy pork belly, chipotle honey salsa / salsa macha / cabbage slaw / avocodo).

Or the in-season variation, Crispy pork belly with ancho mango glaze, mango-cabbage slaw, avocado slice and fresco.

Seriously.

If these are “not impressive” and “all hype”, then I can’t wait to try all the others that are actually good. List please, can’t wait!

(I’m actually in the Keys this morning so maybe I can try on my way back through Miami today).

Thank you.

[CFByrne]

Speaking of El Jefe Luchador...

Fans who live closer to central Boca will soon have cause to celebrate.

[freakerdude]

I've never been because it's too far south for me to drive from work. But if they open in Boca I will be there!

[OysterHo]

Any idea where?

[flwave]

Town Center Mall

[CFByrne]

And El Jefe will be in the store right next to ...

Pummarola Pastificio Pizzeria
http://chowhound.chow.com/topics/895799

And two stores over from Maoz, the tasty green falafel joint...
http://chowhound.chow.com/topics/764555

And across the food court from Dandelion Grill , a coming soon "build your own gyro" type place (see: Gyroville, Souvlaki Fast) with a "natural" angle...
http://www.dandeliongrill.com/

And also across the food court from The Butcher and The Burger, what appears to be the second store from an interesting Chicago-based outfit that claims to...

* Use fresh, sustainable, locally sourced products...
* Sell interesting foodie ingredients at retail...
* Burger patties include beef, pork, bison, lentil, salmon, turkey and more...
* Extras include foie, Benton's smoked bacon, and black truffle aoli...
* Offer Cafe du Monde coffee and beignets for dessert.
* Seasonal specials inc Iowa corn, Elk, crab cakes, fried catfish, venison and ostrich.
* "Hog, Beef, Pheasant, Duck, and other Game Butcher Classes will be held Monthly."

http://butcherandtheburger.com/dinner...

Clearly, the days of my wife "dragging me" to the mall are soon coming to an end!

[erica]

Any word of an opening date? I've still not tried, and my winter sojourn is about to come to a close..just a few weeks left and I have to fit in all those pizzas in Lantana!!

the good news is that I will be back next winter, and have all these new spots to enjoy!

[CFByrne]

Sorry E...

El Jefe est open "summer" / August.

Dandelion and Butcher sounds like sooner - the release here says March but I don't think that's happening!

http://blogs.palmbeachpost.com/malled...

[OysterHo]

Interesting mall food, it might even get ME in there (not a mall fan either).

I think I need to try that that Lantana pizza place soon. So much talk!

[CFByrne]

They've got a special taco on the menu this weekend that's just insanely good. May be the best taco I've ever had.

Tacos de Chicarrones - Crispy pork belly with ancho mango glaze, mango-cabbage slaw, avocado slice and fresco.

If you've been thinking about checking this place out - go right now and get two of these. I think you'll be glad you did. Photo attached.

[tpigeon]

Had it. It was really good.

[OysterHo]

I have to agree with CFB. One of the best gourmet tacos I've ever had. Everything was in perfect balance.

[gimmeseconds]

The little lady and I tried out El Jefe last weekend, splitting four of their specialty tacos, an order of guacamole and a flan for dessert. A big thumbs-up all the way around.

[tpigeon]

I have a relatively minor issue with El Jefe:

They are putting too much breading in the shrimp taco. The first time I had it, it was lightly breaded and it was the best taco. The next two times it had too much breading and it became the worst of the bunch. Go back to lightly breading, you are losing the shrimp taste. The mahi is fine because it is meatier and you can taste the fish through the breading.

[OysterHo]

My boyfriend agrees with that. I wonder if they read chow.

They told me at the register that they started offering grilled fish tacos because people complained about too much breading on the fried fish.

[LiveRock]

I don't know if they read Chow but they definitely read their facebook page. I wrote on their wall last week and they replied the same day.

http://www.facebook.com/eljefeluchador

[danb73]

I finally tried it yesterday and enjoyed it. Al Pastor and Barbacoa tacos were fantastic. Carnitas was good but not as good as other two. Only complaint was the Gauc, which wasn't particulary good. It didn't seem home made. Fresh made chips that came with it were excellent though.

[LiveRock]

Today's special is tacos de chicharrones: crispy pork belly/ chipotle-honey glaze/ salsa macha/ cabbage slaw/ sliced avocado

I may be forced to indulge!

[The Chowfather]

forced??

[tpigeon]

You mean you have never been compelled by a taco? How odd...

[OysterHo]

So did you go? That sounded awesome, did you see their facebook pic of it? Oh. My. Gawd.

[CFByrne]

Mike Saperstein's really doing some inspired stuff here. Had three of these for lunch today and it's the best 9 bucks I've spent in a long time.

I've attached photos of the pork-belly tacos as well as the "Daily Special" blackboard. Wow...

[LiveRock]

Oh man...Those Tacos De Chicarrones need to be part of the regular menu. Awesome!

[OysterHo]

So you DID make it down there! I wish I could have tried those.

[OysterHo]

We finally went last night and ordered grilled fish tacos, mistico, shrimp, and al pastor. I didn't try the shrimp, but my boyfriend said that the breading was too much and he didn't taste the shrimp.

The other tacos I loved. They were messy, but delicious. The mistico was special, not something I would order every time I go there because it is rich, but that mole negro sauce is wonderful.

Al pastor and grilled fish tacos were great. Light and juicy, but I didn't find them greasy at all. The green tomatillo salsa they offer on the side was great on the fish tacos.

[CFByrne]

After 3 visits now, I'm liking the fish taco best so far. But I get the fish fried - yum... fat... yum...

[Jenaclaree]

I've been twice. The first time I had a Ultimo Dragon and an El Pastor taco. Amazing. Last Saturday I went again and everything was super greasy. Like they were frying in old oil or something. We had 2 Ultimo Dragons, El Pastor Nachos, and a Mistica taco. The last taco was so greasy it was dripping red oil and completely saturated the paper container they served it in. Hoping it was just a one time thing because the first time I ate that Ultimo Dragon I thought it was the best taco I had ever had!

[SaminSFL]

Tried it yesterday, very good, The Mahi Fish Taco was outstanding... pricing was not Mexican Hardcore street food pricing though, 4 Tacos and a bottle of water cost me $15. I would go back, but not for a regular lunch place..

[LiveRock]

I would agree that it's a little on the pricey side, especially for lunch. That said, I do not know how they could make it any cheaper and still use the quality of ingredients that they do.

Today I had a "Ultimo Dragon". A pork carnitas taco with hoisin salsa and a kimchee slaw for $3.50. (I freaking loved it by the way.) How do you do that for less than $3.50 and still run a profitable restaurant? You don't.

I also had a "Mistica" A super tender and succulent beef brisket (Barbacoa) with grilled mushrooms, Oaxaca cheese, caramelized onions, and mole negra, topped with a TRUFFLE CREMA for $4.00. (This one I found to be a little on the greasy, drippy side but the flavors were incredible.) How do you put out that kind of product for less than $4.00 and still be able to afford kitchen staff and rent? I don't think it's possible!

I will continue to patronize this place. I won't go every day because it's definitely not in my lunch budget but hey, who doesn't deserve a special treat once in a while?

[SaminSFL]

I agree the food is very good fresh quality ingredients....just commenting on the name compared to the pricing...I will patronize again as well...just not a regular stop for lunch...Plus hey should also add cabeza and lengua to the menu somewhere...just a personal opinion for Hardcore mexican street food

[LiveRock]

Point taken. The Tacos Al Carbon walk-up in Lake Worth would definitely have them beat in the "Street Food" category!

[CFByrne]

Good write up posted on Burger Beast
http://burgerbeast.com/2011/05/06/el-...

I'm hoping to hit this joint tonight. If not, def tomorrow evening.

[tpigeon]

Just go. It is great!!!!

[CFByrne]

I went back and ordered 3 more of the specialty tacos. This place is terrific. Smart and well run all around.

I love this place. In Delray, I'm spending my time trying to think of reasons to drive to Deerfield so I can go here every day.

[OysterHo]

I tried one of their soft tacos at the Deerfield Food and Wine Festival. Awesome! According to Charm City's facebook status, it was this:

"Ultimo Dragon" taco/ pork carnitas/ kimchee slaw/ hoisen salsa!"

[tpigeon]

I tried the ultimo and many of the other tacos. Agreed. I also tried the specialty sandwich on the back of the menu with chorizo and cheese and while very heavy (especially after 6 tacos) it was really good. I think I liked the Ultimo and the pastor the best but they were all great.

[tpigeon]

Check that, make that 5 tacos and the specialty Quesadilla.

[LiveRock]

I saw something about this on the chalk board at Charm City last week...definitely sparks my interest. Thanks for the update!

[CFByrne]

I don't have time for a full review right now - but I was here the other day - and it's terrific.

I had 3 of the 4 specialty tacos - the fish was really excellent.

All local foodies interested in this kind of stuff will want to check this place out.

Excellent service too - the 2 ladies at the front counter were smiling and friendly even during a rush.

More when I get a chance...

[tpigeon]

I actually think the shrimp one might be the best.

[CFByrne]

Shrimp is the 1 of the 4 I did NOT have - coming soon!

[tpigeon]

I tried the shrimp again and it was good but not as good as the time I had it previously. I think the breadded vs shrimp ratio was a bit too high. If this is how they are served consistently, I will have to go back to the mahi being better.