JeffB wrote:And why all of the sudden write for the first time about a place that has been chugging away quietly for many years on that corner?

I sure hope it doesn't attract the hoi polloi.

Christopher Gordon wrote:still doesn't explain the pic in the trib.: why would they shoot the sterile, blindingly-white meat counter instead of the encrusted, greasy, spit and griddle?

Christopher,

It appears the cook is in the process of making/layering the meat while the spit sets on a counter. I'd guess that's why the picture was taken behind the butcher/meat counter at C Leon, if it was on the flame he'd burn his fingers.

Enjoy,
Gary

G Wiv wrote:

Christopher Gordon wrote:still doesn't explain the pic in the trib.: why would they shoot the sterile, blindingly-white meat counter instead of the encrusted, greasy, spit and griddle?

Christopher,

It appears the cook is in the process of making/layering the meat while the spit sets on a counter. I'd guess that's why the picture was taken behind the butcher/meat counter at C Leon, if it was on the flame he'd burn his fingers.

Enjoy,
Gary

gotcha

I simply find it amusing that the photo editor didn't go for the gnarly grease-blackened pit that's the center of the action.

Used to be not a fortnight would pass when there wasn't some "incident" at CL; perfuming the intersection with meat, obscuring the traffic lights in plumes of pork smoke. After such activity one could wander in, blindly groping for the counter as patrons blithely went about their shopping.

Between the Trib's recent article and all the great pics and post here, I've had tacos al pastor on the brain for the last few days-so it was probably inevitable I'd end up at Carnieria Leon with my Jaliscoan(sp ?) patio installer this morning. In the back of the grocery store, CL has 5 or 6 bar stools around the spit area. We parked ourselves there and(I) drooled in anticipation as our tacos were sliced to order- the marinated pork was very flavorful,with lots of nicely browned bits, although the pieces themselves were maybe sliced a bit too thick based on other posters opinions. Very generous portion of al pastor served on a slightly crispy double tortilla with a heap of onions and cilantro.

I'd have to say they were just a tad on the dry side as presented, but a squirt of the spicy salsa verde and fresh lime did the trick. I didn't remember about the on request pineapple, and think it would have made the final product even better. Next time ! My Mexcian friend Ricardo proclaimed them to be a good version of al pastor and was pretty impressed that a gringa like me even knew about them. Como se llama "foodie" en Espanol? Thanks again to all you LTHers for all the great posts on this topic.

I have found two spots in the Lincoln Park area that serve damn good tacos al pastor. Both places have a spit and they carve the meat off right after an order is made. Carmelas was the first one I found and its relatively new, it sits on the 2400 block of Clark St. right across the street from House of Wing. These might be the best tacos al pastor ive come across outside of Mexico. The meat was charred and crispy from the spit but when bitten into it was filled with juicy goodness. I get mine with onion, cilantro and cheese and they are served with a lime. I was above satisfied with the results and as long as they keep producing like that ill keep going. The second spot I found with a spit and all is Allende and it is right at the corner of Fullerton and Lincoln just past the god awful food spots of Ronald and Jared (McD's and Subway). Ive been going to Allende for a change of pace from TBP since I was a kid, theyre menu is small and what they do, they do pretty good. They are always open so thats a plus. What I didnt know till I went there the other day was how good theyre tacos al pastor are. I dont think they always have the meat on the spit b/c im sure I would have seen it years ago if they had. If you go here and the spit is running try them thye are better than most places.

Note: There are two Allendes on Lincoln (owned by the same people) but the one on the corner of the Fullerton, Lincoln, Halsted intersection is the spot with the spit, I cant locate the address.


Carmela's Taqueria
2464 N Clark St
Chicago, IL 60614
(773) 935-9340

Taco & Burrito Palace #2
2441 N Halsted St
Chicago, IL 60614
(773) 248-0740
(They moved a few doors down to a bigger location)

Da Beef wrote:Note: There are two Allendes on Lincoln (owned by the same people) but the one on the corner of the Fullerton, Lincoln, Halsted intersection is the spot with the spit, I cant locate the address.

Allende Restaurant
773/477-7114
2408 N. Lincoln Ave., Chicago

I had some amazing al pastor tacos at the Arturo's on Western last Thursday evening. I've had them there several times, and have liked the flavor and texture, but they tended to have some hard fatty bits. On Thursday there was none of this. All of the meat was crispy, charred, and soft and juicy at the same time. I have always loved the seasoning of the meat, but the added texture and charred flavor took these tacos to a whole new level. I guess I ordered them at just the right time.

I would also like to add that Arturo's has some excellent table salsas, both red and green, as well as delicious complementary pico de gallo.

Arturo's Tacos
2001 N. Western Ave.
773-772-4944

Tacos Don Cuco's, which you may remember from Mike G's epic 47th-a-Thon, al pastor are meaty and crisp with a lightly salty edge, chile de arbol sauce with a bit of mayo and milder green for accent. A worthy Tacos Al Pastor

Tacos Al Pastor, Don Cuco




Enjoy,
Gary

Tacos Don Cuco
1847 W 47th St.
Chicago, Il
773-376-4742

I highly recommend the authentic Al Pastor at,

Taco Grill and Salsa Bar
111 W Ogden ave
Westmont, Il

They seem to put the meat away when it gets late, however.

I had some tacos al pastor yesterday at the Atotonilco spot on 26th St. Loads of crispy, delicious, well-seasoned pork. Washed them down with some good homemade horchata. Highly recommended.

Took dicksond up on his recommendation of Taco Grill on Ogden in Westmont. Al Pastor es delicioso. Perhaps not the atmosphere of C Leon but a solid, authentic taco. Fine salsa bar as well.

Hi,

Yesterday I was on Cedar Lake Road in Round Lake Beach, which not only boasts a few taquerias, it has a rosticeria as well as carnitas. I stopped in to check the rosticeria, which had whole chickens on the rotisserie and chicken halves on the grill. What I did not expect was Al Pastor cone with a pineapple on top slowly spinning away. It is the first time I saw an Al Pastor cone in Lake County.

I have not yet eaten here, though I will quite soon. If someone has been here, I would love to here some feedback.

Lomeli's Rosticeria
1316 N. Cedar Lake Road
Round Lake Beach, IL 60073
847/201-7401
www.lomelisrosticeria.com

Just so happened to have some of the best tacos al pastor I've ever ate yesterday. I'd say better than Los Barrilitos, Mario's, Super Taco, Tierra Caliente and so on. Only problem is, if you want to try them, you're going to have to pay laikom to come over and make them for you. Or maybe attend next years picnic and beg him to make them again. Cuts of pork leg and the perfectly tested marinade made for some little pieces of pork crack, and they were served on homemade tortillas! Great job put in by the entire team.


Mouth watering al Pastor spit from LTHforum's 8th Annual Picnic

Da Beef wrote:Just so happened to have some of the best tacos al pastor I've ever ate yesterday. I'd say better than Los Barrilitos, Mario's, Super Taco, Tierra Caliente and so on. Only problem is, if you want to try them, you're going to have to pay laikom to come over and make them for you. Or maybe attend next years picnic and beg him to make them again. Cuts of pork leg and the perfectly tested marinade made for some little pieces of pork crack, and they were served on homemade tortillas! Great job put in by the entire team.


Mouth watering al Pastor spit from LTHforum's 8th Annual Picnic

Thought it was particularly cool that this rig, like the meat spitted upon it, was hand-crafted by laikom.

That's awesome. I've often thought about making a spit myself, but don't have the home for it. Wish I could have made the picnic yesterday.

Da Beef wrote:Just so happened to have some of the best tacos al pastor I've ever ate yesterday. I'd say better than Los Barrilitos, Mario's, Super Taco, Tierra Caliente and so on. Only problem is, if you want to try them, you're going to have to pay laikom to come over and make them for you. Or maybe attend next years picnic and beg him to make them again. Cuts of pork leg and the perfectly tested marinade made for some little pieces of pork crack, and they were served on homemade tortillas! Great job put in by the entire team.


Mouth watering al Pastor spit from LTHforum's 8th Annual Picnic

I just noticed this post, and wow! Thanks for the glowing review! This is the first time I was on the other side of the forum... Since you enjoyed it so much, and I had the recipe on hand, I figured why not make a post in the Recipe thread. So I did: viewtopic.php?f=16&t=38537&p=460329#p460329

Building the rig was quite easy, just a few scraps of metal I had laying around, a few random tins (pizza, pie etc) and one trip to home depot for the nuts, bolts and the threaded rod down the middle of the meat. The hardest part was figuring out how to clamp it to the grill so that nobody could knock it off.

I am sorry I missed the picnic, but I am truly inspired by laikom's erector set creation. What a great idea! I notice that the direction of the wheels is perpendicular to the add-on structure. I imagine that is essential in keeping the whole thing from tipping. Nice job on that wood also.