BajaNomad

Mexico City taco stand gets a Michelin Star

Santiago - 5-17-2024 at 08:01 AM

Taquería El Califa de León, located in the San Rafael neighborhood of Mexico City, was among the establishments to garner either one or two stars in the first ever Michelin Guide Mexico, published earlier this week, making it the first Mexican taco stand to receive the honor.

“The secret is the simplicity of our taco,” Rivera Martínez told the Associated Press. “It has only a tortilla, red or green sauce, and that’s it. That, and the quality of the meat.”

Taquería El Califa de León, which is only about 10 feet wide, has been around for more than 50 years and is known for its Gaonera taco, apparently named in honor of Mexican bullfighter Rodolfo Gaona.

“This taqueria may be bare bones with just enough room for a handful of diners to stand at the counter but its creation, the Gaonera taco, is exceptional,” reads a statement on the Michelin Guide website.

See full report here.



[Edited on 5-17-2024 by BajaNomad]

digcolnagos - 5-17-2024 at 11:06 PM

Meh.

Clearly, they have never been to Taquería Don Ramón.

Marc - 5-18-2024 at 06:07 AM

Is 'El Taco Del Rey' still open in Loreto?


[Edited on 5-18-2024 by Marc]

Lee - 5-18-2024 at 08:43 AM

Ain't paying $5.00 for a taco.

AKgringo - 5-18-2024 at 09:19 AM

Quote: Originally posted by Lee  
Ain't paying $5.00 for a taco.


Go in with a laptop, notebook, and a friend posing as a photographer. Tell them you are doing a restaurant review and maybe they will be free!

surabi - 5-18-2024 at 11:17 AM

Quote: Originally posted by Lee  
Ain't paying $5.00 for a taco.


Maybe the reporter was confused about exchange rate. Also it looks like the people in the photo have 3 tacos on their plates, so maybe you get 3/$5.

I've certainly never been anywhere in Mexico that one taco costs the equivalent of $5, no matter how good or famous they are.

stillnbaja - 5-18-2024 at 11:27 AM

"That's a pretty f***ing good taco. I don't know if it's worth five dollars but it's pretty f***ing good.

Vincent

Lee - 5-18-2024 at 12:47 PM

Quote: Originally posted by surabi  
Quote: Originally posted by Lee  
Ain't paying $5.00 for a taco.


Maybe the reporter was confused about exchange rate. Also it looks like the people in the photo have 3 tacos on their plates, so maybe you get 3/$5.

I've certainly never been anywhere in Mexico that one taco costs the equivalent of $5, no matter how good or famous they are.


'Within the “on a budget” category, El Califa stands alone as the only street food vendor in Mexico awarded one star. The tacos, which can only be purchased with cash, range from 53 to 82 Mexican pesos — or between about $3 and $5 apiece.''

https://www.washingtonpost.com/world/2024/05/17/mexico-taco-...

Think Michelin was smitten with Califa, the food (tasty is tasty), and DF. I understand smitten.

I pay $5.00 for a 12 ounce, 4 shot Latte from time to time.

mtgoat666 - 5-18-2024 at 01:13 PM

$3 to $5 entrees seems pretty cheap for a Michelin star place. I have eaten in a few Michelin star places and dont recall any entrees under $5.

surabi - 5-18-2024 at 02:10 PM

I wouldn't call one taco an "entree".

elgatoloco - 5-20-2024 at 04:47 PM

What is a Michelin Star?
A Michelin Star is awarded to restaurants offering outstanding cooking. We take into account five universal criteria: the quality of the ingredients, the harmony of flavours, the mastery of techniques, the personality of the chef as expressed through their cuisine and, just as importantly, consistency both across the entire menu and over time.

https://guide.michelin.com/us/en/article/features/what-is-a-...

:saint:

Marc - 5-21-2024 at 06:37 AM

We had a very nice dinner in Paris in a restaurant that had just lost a Michelin Star. The Chef committed suicide. This was 2003.

Udo - 5-21-2024 at 02:31 PM

I am surprised that Sabina's seafood stand in Ensenada, did not garner any Michelin attention.

pauldavidmena - 5-22-2024 at 06:56 AM

Here is the Michelin Man after way too many tacos.

AKgringo - 5-22-2024 at 07:13 AM

I think he needs to air down a bit and he should be OK!

digcolnagos - 5-22-2024 at 08:34 AM

Quit lying. That's a Golden Corral patron if I ever saw one.

towntaco - 5-22-2024 at 09:58 AM

Quote: Originally posted by Udo  
I am surprised that Sabina's seafood stand in Ensenada, did not garner any Michelin attention.


Hopefully she gets one in the next year or two. My dad first took me there in the 90s and it's still fantastic today.

elgatoloco - 5-22-2024 at 10:37 AM

https://guide.michelin.com/us/en/baja-california/ensenada_20...

Over the decades we have taken so many folks to Sabina's cart. It is always fun to watch the newbies skepticism dissolve after they have a chance to partake. I remember when she would be the one to put your tostada together. Now the whole family is involved.