staubio wrote:If you are looking for more authetic or interesting food, I'd venture to areas of KCK. One of my favorites is El Taco Nazo, which is just east of 7th on Kansas Ave in KCK. Another gem is El Camino Real, which has two locations, one on 7th in downtown KCK and one on Argentine Ave.

You could spend months trying all of the unique places in the Mexican strongholds of Argentine (KCK), Central Ave (KCK) and Independence Ave. (KCMO). I don't claim to have the most sophisticated palette, but I do know the city very well and I know what I like.

Try El Taco Nazo, I'd love to know what you think.

I've been to El Camino Real 3 or 4 times now, but today is the first time I've branched out beyond the tacos al pastor. I'm unlikely to do that again, because the al pastor here is probably the best I've ever eaten. These are some absolutely terrific tacos.

The set-up is pretty straightforward. There's a huge pastor cone in the window ($1.00 al pastor on Wednesday's, meaning the spit is quite full). At the bottom, narrow part of the cone is a whole impaled pineapple, with little droplets of liquid pork fat glistening on each poky pineapple node. Pineapple flesh is perched comfortably atop the spit, looking surprisingly fresh. While oftentimes the garnish for the spit seems to cook all day, with juices running over the meat for a time, they really use the pineapple here. I've never gotten al pastor without a few shavings of pineapple tossed in with the meat.

A man tends the spit and the griddle assembling the orders, while a woman next to him cooks up a continuous string of tortillas. She's not hand patting them, but she does roll them each through the press and lay the masa pancakes on the griddle, one-by-one, assuring each taco comes with a freshly made tortilla, smallish maybe 3 1/2 inches in diameter.

When the order for pastor comes in, the grill/spit man shaves off some of the tender spiced pork, right into the center of two of these fresh tortillas. The tortillas are then flipped upside down onto the griddle, effectively caramelizing the pastor beneath and heating in a pocket of al pastor steam. After just enough griddle time, the tacos are flipped over, plated, and delivered to their destination. Onions, cilantro, limes, salsa are all provided in bowls at the table to dress your taco as desired. A little of everything for me, and I'm set.

This place is a real gem, but I would note that the carne asada and carnitas tacos were disappointingly average. I may try a torta, which looked pretty good, but the al pastor is the way to go here, and well worth it. I also saw a pastor burrito or enchilada or some such being prepared, which looked pretty good...so there may be a number of pastor potentials. I look forward to finding out.

(Incidentally, I've also been to Taconazo since the above post, and while I liked it, I'm too far removed to remember the specifics, and I haven't rushed back. Good but not memorable based on one visit, but I sure owe myself another.)

El Camino Real
903 N 7th St
Kansas City, KS 66101
(913) 342-4333

El Camino Real II
1147 Argentine Blvd
Kansas City, KS 66105
(913) 342-4334

El Taconazo
624 Kansas Ave
Kansas City, KS 66105
(913) 371-1701

the tortas at taco nazo are great. I used to go there for lunch quite a bit.

teatpuller wrote:the tortas at taco nazo are great. I used to go there for lunch quite a bit.

Good to know. The menus at so many Mexican places are large and similar, it makes it difficult sometimes to identify a restaurant's strengths.

Anyone have any information on Ninfa's on Kansas Ave? It was recommended for a party. We have about 15 people.
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Josephine, you might want to ask that question here.

Geo

http://lthforum.com/kc/viewtopic.php?f=1&t=732

Thanks, gents!