Kennyz wrote:The new Pasadita Express on Irving (see above) nuked the tortillas for my tacos. Dealbreaker.

I have never owned a microwave ever in my entire life. I must say this though, the one thing that I think reheats decently in them is commercial tortillas, especially when nuked in the paper wrapping that they are sold in. They seem to steam themselves just right and are supple and pliable. When heated on a griddle, I find that they dry out very quickly unless a little grease is introduced to the situation. Now, don't get me wrong, I would prefer a handmade tortilla any time, in fact I just ate about five at Restaurant Zaragoza. I would never fathom nuking a lovingly made fresh disc of masa that toasts up to perfection on the griddle.

Kennyz wrote:As I strolled through the neighborhood, I saw sign after sign with places highlighting hand-made masa products. They are becoming the rule rather than the rare exception. I find that handmade tortillas, huaraches, sopes, etc. can make all the difference in a meal that otherwise causes indifference, so this is a most welcome development.

And I would love to see this trend citywide, imagine the pastor at Tierra Caliente or asada from Las Asadas in a handmade tortilla, they should all get with the program. But what I'm saying is that the inferior products of commercially made tortillas don't really have a great re-heating method inherent to them and the microwave seems to keep them softer and fresher than when dry grilled.
What's your preferred method Kenny?

Kennyz wrote:

Jazzfood wrote:

Kennyz wrote: I had them pack everything separately for the ride and there were no complaints or leftovers.

That's because I wasn't in the car with you. Thanks for the tip on the other Pasadita's, and on Tierra Caliente. I'll be staying away from those tacos too.

Agreed that I'd prefer handmade/griddled torts, but for me, the slight diminishment wouldn't keep me from the chivo @ caliente. It's done very well.

PreFlopRaise13 wrote:Definitely affiliated with La Pasadita. Can't wait for the Palatine location to open,

LP Express
1590 N.Rand Rd.
Palatine, IL 60074
http://www.pasadita.com/

not sure yet, haven't called them yet, but the google machine cranked out a listing for a "Tacos Y Mariscos LA Pasadita", (847) 963-2188, 1572 N Rand Rd, Palatine, IL 60074. nothing else yet; no reviews, etc.

yet i just noticed that the word yet is overused in this post. yet.

The last time I checked the location in Palatine is not open yet. It's right by the Home Depot on the corner of Rand and Dundee, and I saw a work stop sticker in the window from the city but that was a couple of weeks ago.

Rand and Dundee? I love La Pasadita, but that intersection is rated year after year as the most dangerous and accident prone in the county. Red light revenue cameras in place as well- be warned.

Had a near perfect chorizo taco at Taqueria LP Express, Elston, charred, spicy, plentiful with topknot of cilantro and onion. Went wonderfully with the hot smokey salsa negra. Chile relleno taco was fine, blisteringly hot, but oh that chorizo. As a bonus tortilla chips and salsa are included when you eat in, by which I mean stools at a waist high counter.

Taqueria LP Express
4968 N. Elston
Chicago, Il
773-282-8226

PreFlopRaise13 wrote:The last time I checked the location in Palatine is not open yet. It's right by the Home Depot on the corner of Rand and Dundee, and I saw a work stop sticker in the window from the city but that was a couple of weeks ago.

Would it be located near a Starbucks in a little strip mall near that corner? I'm in the area all the time but have not seen the La Pasadita build out yet...

mhill95149 wrote:

PreFlopRaise13 wrote:The last time I checked the location in Palatine is not open yet. It's right by the Home Depot on the corner of Rand and Dundee, and I saw a work stop sticker in the window from the city but that was a couple of weeks ago.

Would it be located near a Starbucks in a little strip mall near that corner? I'm in the area all the time but have not seen the La Pasadita build out yet...

Yes, it's a few doors down from Starbucks.

PreFlopRaise13 wrote:

mhill95149 wrote:

PreFlopRaise13 wrote:The last time I checked the location in Palatine is not open yet. It's right by the Home Depot on the corner of Rand and Dundee, and I saw a work stop sticker in the window from the city but that was a couple of weeks ago.

Would it be located near a Starbucks in a little strip mall near that corner? I'm in the area all the time but have not seen the La Pasadita build out yet...

Yes, it's a few doors down from Starbucks.

Thanks!

Just noticed the poker reference.... maybe we should have a LTH poker game in the NW burbs?
some food then some cards?

PreFlopRaise13 wrote:The last time I checked the location in Palatine is not open yet. It's right by the Home Depot on the corner of Rand and Dundee, and I saw a work stop sticker in the window from the city but that was a couple of weeks ago.

i called the number as indicated on google; a hispanic woman answered the phone in spanish. since neither of us really spoke the other's native tongue, the best that i could ascertain was that NO, it's not la pasadita. wrong number.

Still dark as of last night; too bad, I really could have used a couple steak tacos after a long day in the rain.

Octarine wrote:Still dark as of last night; too bad, I really could have used a couple steak tacos after a long day in the rain.

amen to that!

My co-worker reported this afternoon that there was a fire at the Pasadita Express on Elston. He tried to go there for lunch and they were working on clearing out the damage. He said the fire appears to not be too bad but they will be closed for probably a couple of weeks.

I had a disappointing experience at the LP Express on Belmont last week wheni ordered a steak burrito. The steak was incredibly chewy and i ended up spitting out several chunks that just would not yield to teeth and enzymes. I tossed the second half of my burrito.

The one positive was that the steak was freshly sizzling off the grill and had a nice char, which was not the case when i hit LP Express on Elston two weeks ago for a very disappointing taco experience.

For me its gotta be the original LP locations, or my favorite Las Asadas from here on out. (plus, Las Asadas offers flour tortillas which I prefer to corn for a "cleaner" steak taste)

any word on the palatine location? did they straighten out their issues with the village?

i'm getting pretty darn hungry waiting.

The Elston location is up and running after a three day or so clean up back in Sep.

The Palatine location appears to be on hold if not canceled. The sign over the storefront has been removed.

Octarine wrote:The Elston location is up and running after a three day or so clean up back in Sep.

The Palatine location appears to be on hold if not canceled. The sign over the storefront has been removed.

I am so disappointed!

G Wiv wrote:Had a near perfect chorizo taco at Taqueria LP Express, Elston, charred, spicy, plentiful with topknot of cilantro and onion. Went wonderfully with the hot smokey salsa negra. Chile relleno taco was fine, blisteringly hot, but oh that chorizo.

Just the reverse today, chorizo flavorful with a little spicy heat, but lacking flavor boosting char. Chile Relleno oozed melty rich cheese, tender poblano with just a whisper of scoville snap, salsa verde the perfect accent. If the batter was more egg less cornmeal, my preference, I might have had to kill the cook. (Once Upon a Time in Mexico)

Chile Relleno, Taqueria LP Express, Elston





Lengua, nice size chunks of rich tender tongue, if not for the near perfection of the chile relleno this would have been the best taco I've had in quite a while.*

Lengua, Taqueria LP Express, Elston



Free basket of chips for those who eat-in on Elston



Enjoy,
Gary

*Didn't get a chance for breakfast, missed lunch didn't have the tacos until about 3pm. Might want to factor hunger into my enthusiasm.

Taqueria LP Express
4968 N. Elston
Chicago, Il
773-282-8226

Octarine wrote:The Elston location is up and running after a three day or so clean up back in Sep.

The Palatine location appears to be on hold if not canceled. The sign over the storefront has been removed.

Not happening.... many stories none can be posted here ( I guess as I think posts have been removed from this thread)

mhill95149 wrote:Not happening.... many stories none can be posted here ( I guess as I think posts have been removed from this thread)

Obviously you are talking Palatine. Elston is up and running, I ate there today, and it was damn tasty.

There's absolutely nothing "express" about a place that waits until you get there to prepare the order you called in 30 minutes in advance of pickup. That's what happened at the Elston location today.

For an office-plant-lunch situation like ours, this is a major issue. Our whole afternoon schedule now has to be adjusted because of this.

I doubt very seriously that we'll ever order lunch from here again.

=R=

ronnie_suburban wrote:There's absolutely nothing "express" about a place that waits until you get there to prepare the order you called in 30 minutes in advance of pickup. That's what happened at the Elston location today.

For an office-plant-lunch situation like ours, this is a major issue. Our whole afternoon schedule now has to be adjusted because of this.

I doubt very seriously that we'll ever order lunch from here again.

=R=

Almost inedibly chewy meat (the worst I can ever remember at any Pasadita outlet), extremely watery salsa and a dozen+ different burritos and tacos all packed up with no markings whatsoever made our late, 'shut down the plant lunch' lunch even more annoying than it already was. Plain and simple, these guys mail it in in every way. Don't they realize there's an abundance of lunch options out there? Apparently not but we do.

=R=

G Wiv wrote:Had a near perfect chorizo taco at Taqueria LP Express, Elston, charred, spicy, plentiful with topknot of cilantro and onion. Went wonderfully with the hot smokey salsa negra. Chile relleno taco was fine, blisteringly hot, but oh that chorizo. As a bonus tortilla chips and salsa are included when you eat in, by which I mean stools at a waist high counter.

Taqueria LP Express
4968 N. Elston
Chicago, Il
773-282-8226

Well, you'll never have that experience again. LP Express has closed and the phone has been disconnected.