BajaNomad

Any Place Like This in Baja Norte?

Gypsy Jan - 11-1-2013 at 02:09 PM

(Cross-posted from Chowhound, original poster is Dining Diva.)

In answer to the question, "Where is the best birria in San Diego?"

"Birria is a soupy/stewy, long cooking (braised) dish based on chiles and other spices. I've had beef, pork and goat birria. The whole animal is usually involved, not just assorted or random parts.

There is a truly outstanding birria place just south of the airport in Guadalajara called El Chololo that does really wonderful goat birria.

The place is ginormous, probably seating somewhere between 800-1,000 people. On the weekends extended families come and make a day of it. Waiters will plop a bottle of tequila on the table with a mark at the level of the tequila in the bottle. You pay for what you drink.

There are amusements to keep the kids occupied and happy and dueling mariachis.

And then there is the birria. Braised in a secret combination of chiles and spices, the goat is finished in adobe ovens and basted with the pan juices so that it acquires a burnished and utterly delicious glaze.

A lot (most perhaps) is served as meat and consume together.
At El Chololo the consume is served first followed by the meat, tortillas and the ubiquitous plate of chopped white onion, cilantro and chile.

It makes for a tremendously satisfying meal."

mmmmm!!

captkw - 11-1-2013 at 02:23 PM

That's sound GOOD..Don't I have had that yet but reading your post makes my mouth water !! BTW ,Have been out to the Lake??

Udo - 11-1-2013 at 02:38 PM

I'll be making my personal version of birria when we come down to BA in December. It includes beef, goat and pork.

The biggest downfall to the birria served across Baja is that it has been too "soupy"
i.e. too much broth and not enough meat, which will not be the case in my recipe.

Mexitron - 11-1-2013 at 02:46 PM

I had goat birria once and wasn't real crazy about it...now barbecued goat, that's some good stuff! Used to roast it in the pizza oven too, yum.

[Edited on 11-1-2013 by Mexitron]

Bajatripper - 11-1-2013 at 02:49 PM

Quote:
Originally posted by Gypsy Jan

"Birria is a soupy/stewy, long cooking (braised) dish based on chiles and other spices.


Just a minor point, the "soupiness" of birria depends on where in Mexico one buys it. In Guanajuato I was served birria with hardly any "caldito" at all.

tripledigitken - 11-1-2013 at 03:50 PM

I recall of someone here posting a review of a Birria spot in south Ensenada. Maybe Woody?

There is one I've heard of in Ensenada, have not been myself, called Guadalajara Birria (or something similar). Someone must have a first hand review.

David K - 11-1-2013 at 03:55 PM

Antonio (Baja Cactus) took me to a 'birriaria' in Tijuana, that was outstanding... I love lamb or beef as it is, but since I also love onions and cilantro... I go crazy for birria!

In Puertecitos, we had some good birria at a roadside cafe, many years ago... and also at China's (Chee-nah) taco stand in Bahia de los Angeles, on day a week (Sunday?)... she serves birria de res (beef)... Love it!

Bajahowodd - 11-1-2013 at 04:00 PM

Funny thing is that for most of my life, I thought Birria was exclusively a dish made with goat. But when I first drove down Baja, I was surprised at how many signs I saw for Birria de res. Thing is that goat and beef have really different taste. The goat being more gamey, which is what I thought all along was was the heart of the dish.

Bajahowodd - 11-1-2013 at 04:00 PM

Funny thing is that for most of my life, I thought Birria was exclusively a dish made with goat. But when I first drove down Baja, I was surprised at how many signs I saw for Birria de res. Thing is that goat and beef have really different taste. The goat being more gamey, which is what I thought all along was was the heart of the dish.

nandopedal - 11-1-2013 at 04:20 PM

Jan and anybody else interested in birria, I know a place in TJ it is just goat birria corn tortillas fresh of the kitchen, I think it could very well be the best in Baja Norte I have had it in Guadalajara which is consider the birth place of such dish. I go to the one in TJ often and believe it or not I don't know the name of the place:?: but I know the name of the colonia: Buena Vista, about 5 minutes driving time from the border.
Jan I always enjoy your posts about one of my favorite subjects: FOOD, I believe you are in Rosarito? I live in San Diego if you or a group of people are interested I would be happy to show you that place, the same goes to David K and friends or anybody out there reading this!

David K - 11-1-2013 at 04:24 PM

Oh wonderful... if there just wasn't a 1-2 hour border wait at Tijuana, I would go tomorrow!

nandopedal - 11-1-2013 at 04:26 PM

Quote:
Originally posted by Bajahowodd
Funny thing is that for most of my life, I thought Birria was exclusively a dish made with goat. But when I first drove down Baja, I was surprised at how many signs I saw for Birria de res. Thing is that goat and beef have really different taste. The goat being more gamey, which is what I thought all along was was the heart of the dish. [/quo

You are absolutely right, the original "BIRRIA" is suppose to be goat what you see now a days are just product variations.

larryC - 11-2-2013 at 07:16 AM

The best Birria place I know of is adjacent to the Pemex station in San Vicente about 60 miles south of Ensenada. They are open in the mornings till about 10 or 11 when they run out of food. Really good Birria.
Larry

Chupacabra - 11-2-2013 at 07:39 AM

Quote:
Originally posted by Gypsy Jan
"Where is the best birria in San Diego?"


When I get a hankering for birria de chivo and I don't want to stray far from home, I go to El Rey Morro taco shop in Pacific Beach. At lunch time practically every gardener from Mt. Soledad is in the place.

Not saying its the best or anything, just that its there. I'm no expert.

unbob - 11-2-2013 at 08:10 AM

Quote:
Originally posted by lencho
I think beef is a northern variation of the traditional dish. The real stuff, in La Paz:
Can you describe the location in LP? I would love to check it out - gracias amigo!

bajaguy - 11-2-2013 at 08:16 AM

Try Birria Rodriguez. Several in Ensenada, looks to be a family operation.

South Ensenada, on Hwy 1 headed south same side of and just south of the Air Force Base/Airport and dirt baseball field.
Quote:
Originally posted by tripledigitken
I recall of someone here posting a review of a Birria spot in south Ensenada. Maybe Woody?

There is one I've heard of in Ensenada, have not been myself, called Guadalajara Birria (or something similar). Someone must have a first hand review.

woody with a view - 11-2-2013 at 08:22 AM

Quote:
Originally posted by tripledigitken
I recall of someone here posting a review of a Birria spot in south Ensenada. Maybe Woody?


the ones i reported on were next to the Pemex in San Vicente (Chino's) and next to Tacos Mision in El Rosario (Nuevo Uruapan).

tripledigitken - 11-2-2013 at 08:33 AM

What meat are these birria restaurants using?

woody with a view - 11-2-2013 at 08:39 AM

mine use beef.

David K - 11-2-2013 at 08:56 AM

Res=Beef
Chivo=Goat
Borrego=Lamb