Al Pastor Spit Spotted - Melrose and Manhattan Place

[Ciao Bob]

While driving to the Greek last night, about 6:30, I saw what looked to be a fairly elaborate taco table-truck being set-up @ the 100% Hand Car Wash.

The guy setting it up was putting out really large tubs/vats of salsas and condiments that -- in some way I can't quite define, even from far away - appreared to have been made with more TLC than the average. And a large al pastor Trompo was also on view.

Anyone know about the quality? Is it really special, or was I just ravenous transporting my Mozza2Go packages to the Greek?

[Armenoid]

yes! Chiquis Tacos al pastor was better for me than Leos. Tried both within last couple of weeks.

[Ciao Bob]

I went last night after the Dodger game and this place was REALLY, REALLY great. One of the best taco stands and salsa bars I have see. The salsas included the usuals as well as a bunch of blistered, whole, warm, both green and red, chunky whole chili peppers.

The al pastor was fantastic -- carved right of the trompo and then, with a flourish, a little pineapple is nipped off the top and launched from the knife, through the air, into the taco man's waiting non-knife hand, holding the taco. The Dodger's were good last night, very good - but that was the best catching I saw all evening.

The birria and cabeza were also first rate.

Really would love to hear if other hounds know of, and what y'all think of, this place. I had the feeling it has been there for about 6 months.

[nosh]

How much were the al pastor tacos? (At Tacos Leo -- La Brea and Venice -- they are a buck.)

[Ciao Bob]

Same. Been to Tacos Leo (but no spit the weeknight I went) and niether the tacos nor the salsa bar were anything special. The cute cat's eyes of the truck and the location were the only things to recommend it, IMHO.

[ns1]

no spit = not tacos leo.

tacos leo's spit = the next sergio. call first to make sure the spit is out.

[Norm Man]

Ciao Bob, Regarding Tacos Leo, I remember Bandini saying that Tacos Leo had problems with the health Inspector over their al pastor spit. Bandini said no inspectors were around weekends. So Tacos Leo operated an al pastor spit on Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays but no al pastor spit on weekdays.

http://blogs.laweekly.com/squidink/2010/09/food_truck_taco_pastor.php

http://www.greattacohunt.com/2011/12/...

[mikeop34]

Thanks for posting about this truck! I've been meaning to for a little while since I've had nothing but great pastor tacos carved off the trompo here. Haven't tried the other meats you mentioned, but I will soon. The asada and pollo are not bad, but I usually load up on the pastor. You're right on about all the condiments/toppings laid out, and I especially like the sauteed onions. Another nice touch is the tables and canopies set up, making it one of the most comfortable taco truck experiences I've found.

I believe their name is Chiquis? re: price of the tacos, I think $1.25.

re: Tacos Leo, I think their spit is only out Friday-Sunday? Not totally sure about Chiquis, though.

[Ciao Bob]

<< sauteed onions>>
Those onions -- and the blistered chilies -- clinched it for me as the best taco truck/table/stand I have been to in recent memory.

The asada was a little dry and under flavored; but to be fair I only tried it for completeness sake, so it came AFTER the superb birria, cabeza and al pastor. I suspect a steak at Mastro's would be equally dry and under flavored after those!

[Ciao Bob]

I saw Chiquis trompo being set up on a Thursday evening last week.
.

[mikeop34]

Good to know, glad there's a non-weekend option! And yeah, I hear you about the asada, something I like to try and compare at various places, but it sounds like there are other things try here.

[Mr Taster]

>> I had the feeling it has been there for about 6 months.

That's about right. I drive that stretch of Melrose several times a week and I've been seeing it there for about that long. It's hard to miss with the big festive, bright white lights strung up around the truck; it feels like a party. I drove past it last night on my way home from SGV and noticed the al pastor spit for the first time. I wonder if it's there all the time, or only on the weekend (like Tacos Leo appears to be? I had an extremely disappointing mid-week al pastor at Tacos Leo.) I saw aguas on the other end of the truck, opposite the spit. Anyway, I'm glad to hear a positive report on the place.

My top al pastor (so far) was from a vendor in the "food court" area in the southern half of the Alameda Swap Meet. There are several there, but only one had the deep mahogany and char (along with roasted pineapple) that signifies greatness. Leo has always left me hanging a little bit short... as the other posted stated, the pineapple is raw (too high above the meat and heating element to caramelize) and while pretty and tasty, the meat lacks the profound depth of flavor that the one at Alameda Swap Meet had.

Mr Taster

[TonyC]

wait, does the pina at the ASM al pastor stand sit directly on top of the meat?

[Mr Taster]

OK now that you're testing me on it, I can't swear to the pineapple. I try not to let my enthusiasm (or lack thereof) for a place affect my reportage but I failed here.

However, I absolutely do remember the beautiful mahogany color of the meat, and a deep flavor. It's the al pastor of my dreams.

Mr Taster

[Ciao Bob]

The pineapple at the Melrose stand is NOT highly cooked down and carmelized - it sits several inches above the pork, so it is just warmed by the cooking (and, I suppose, then cooled by it's air-flight through the night air, into the steaming taco).

[ns1]

I think this is the pic we are looking for:

http://www.yelp.com/biz_photos/xMTY_o...

[TonyC]

Pineapple tease. Will go hunt these down.

It's interesting Alameda Swapmeet has such memorable al pastor. Kinda like Vineland Swapmeet had really outstanding charcoal grilled carne asada (years before Mexicali had a stand).

[Mr Taster]

Tony, I do hope your experience turns out to be as memorable as mine. It's been about two years for me. Why the wait? Hell, there's just too much delicious food in LA, and Alameda isn't exactly on the way to anywhere I usually go.

Mr Taster

[Mr Taster]

I can't swear to it, as it's been a while since I've been, but this could be the trompo I'm thinking of. (There were at least two different al pastor businesses in the food court area of ASW on my last visit.)

http://www.yelp.com/biz_photos/12dTiN...

Mr Taster

[TonyC]

Thanks for the trompo tip, Ciao Bob. Driven by the stand a buncha times and didn't spot the al pastor. You were right about the salsa bar. The aromatic grilled onions + habanero salsa + roasted jalapenos put these into Guisado territory. The drunken Latinas back from partying in Hollywood were a bonus touch.

Chiquis Tacos is fantastic and worth that $0.25 over Leo.

Also, attached photo for LOLz.

[ns1]

thanks for the follow-up. Gotta check it out. Way closer than Leo's. Anyone know the hours?

[Ciao Bob]

Glad you enjoyed it, Tony. It is really, really good.

[Ciao Bob]

Not the greatest picture...but it does give you and idea of those blistered peppers.

[nosh]

The al pastor spit that is supposed to be fantastic is at Tacos Leo on the N/W corner of LaBrea and Venice. I went about a month ago after reading about it on the revived "Great Taco Hunt" blog. Got there about 8:30 on a Saturday eve and found a bit of a line. Ordered 3 al pastor tacos and they were good, also cheap at a buck apiece. But they were the ruddy reddish spiced version as if prepared on a griddle, not cut from a rotisserie spit. Lots of happy people around but I gotta say I was a bit let down. Was I too early? The pineapple was cool and untouched by any flame, no caramelization, like it was added on from a cooler. There has been some discussion over the months about the authorities shutting down the spit.

Any current info? Do I have to go later?

[mdpilam]

So you didn't see a spit? I haven't been in LA for about 2 yrs, but Tacos Leo was one of my favorites (along with Tacos Tamix - who also has a spit), due to their incredible al pastor. The spit - sitting outside the truck - had a huge chunk of meat rotating with a pineapple on top, and tacos were cut right off the spit.

Would be very sad if the authorities shut down the spit as I was planning on going here right after I land on Saturday...

[nosh]

What time do you plan on getting there? I am very interested in your report...

[bad nono]

according to Leo's FB page they're relaunching their "big truck" on Sunday, so please postpone by one day or you might be disappointed.

[ns1]

If it didn't come off a spit into a tortilla into your mouth then something is terribly wrong