Wednesday, July 11, 2007

El Rey de Los Huaraches

El Rey de Los Huaraches looks like one of those old time drive thru dairies that Alta Dena used to have years ago. A portico covers part of the drive thru that fits in nicely with the Spanish architecture. There is only a walk up window with an outdoor patio in addition to the drive thru.

The Huarache with carne asada and beans looks like an elongated tostada, but is more akin to a sope with the exception of the shape and the fact that the masa is thinner. The huarache is covered with beans, carne asada, lettuce and queso fresco. The masa is light and crisp and provides a nice texture contrast to the beans and carne asada. The carne asada is tender and the flavor is easily distinguishable. The lettuce adds some crispness and temperature differences to the dish. The queso fresco adds some saltiness that ties everything together.

The Chorizo taco is sort of bland and doesn’t have that much flavor despite the fact that chorizo is usually heavily spiced. The chorizo also got lost under the vast amount of minced onions and cilantro.

Likewise, the Al Pastor taco didn’t have much flavor. Usually a flavor bomb, the al pastor is marinated for several hours and basted in onions and pineapple juice as it cooks on the rotisserie. This al pastor was very tender and had a little bit of heat, but otherwise was unflavorful.

The star of the show is the Carne Asada taco. Thin cuts of skirt steak are lightly seasoned and grilled to perfection. The meat is very tender and despite the lack of heavy seasoning is very flavorful. The taco just needs a squeeze of lime and a little bit of salsa and you are sent into taco heaven.

El Rey de Los Huarache is a nice find, but just stick with the carne asada and you can’t go wrong. They also have pupusas, but were sold out when I went.


El Rey de los Huaraches
12905 9th St
Chino, CA 91710
(909) 591-3625

7 comments:

Anonymous said...

Too bad nothing else was good on the menu, but there's nothing like good carne asada.

Anonymous said...

Wow, gonna have to check this place out. I love good carne asada.

Vegasbuff said...

Daniel,

I agree. For me finding good carne asada is hard to find. I usually find tough cuts of meats with loads of gristle, something I'm not fond of.


Anon,

Yes definitely try this place out if you get a chance. Although not heavily marinated the meat is still very flavorful.

Chubbypanda said...

Those are some good looking taco pictures. Your technique is really improving.

Vegasbuff said...

CP,

Thanks for the compliment. I've been working on taking better pictures. It's not as easy as a lot of people make it, including you.

Dan B said...

Nice review and pictures. I happen LOVE the El Pastor Huaraches though. They have recently gotten bigger! My wife goes for the Carne Asada. Also give the Quesa dilla a try, this is the real stuff.

Salute!

Vegasbuff said...

Dan B,

Thanks for the hints. Will definitely try them the next time I go there.