Top-Notch Tacos from "El Amish" in Fort Wayne, Indiana

I have to admit I wanted to visit "El Amish" largely because of the name. It's not every day you get to try the Mennonite take on tacos al pastor. Now I'm surprised to admit "El Amish" outclasses all but a handful of Chicago's taquerias. Tacos Arandas "El Amish" is conveniently located between 20 Past 4 and Mad Anthony Brewing.





The taqueria's second name comes from the owner's nickname. His friends in Mexico call him "El Amish" so he decided to use that name for his restaurant too. That's "El Amish" himself in the white shirt and apron. A quick look at the small kitchen leaves no doubt he's serious about his tacos.



That's a steam table for meats cooked al vapor, a well-stuffed charola for braised items, and a trompo for pastor. We chose three tacos, each one showcasing one of the cooking methods. Before the tacos arrived we were presented with an unusually fine assortment of salsas.



That's a habanero relish in the foreground, intensely flavorful but even more intensely hot. The other three salsas in the silver caddy included an interesting cumin-spiked tomato one and an above average tomatillo salsa. The green puree in the orange bowl tasted mostly of fresh jalapeño. Limes plus nice fresh cukes-n-radishes rounded out the array. You can see at a glace the attention to detail that goes into the tacos.



The tortillas have been touched with flavorful meat juices before being warmed and the onion and jalapeño come from a bath of the same juices. The taco al pastor was first rate, with great contrast of crispy and juicy bits. I can think of only a couple places in Chicago that sometimes put out a better one. Cabeza, with somewhat washed-out flavor, was the weakest of the three but was still a pleasant vehicle for those great salsas. I need to return to see if this place consistently puts out such good food but I was quite impressed with my first visit.

Tacos Arandas "El Amish"
2012 Broadway
Fort Wayne IN
260-420-2731

Mouthwatering; thanks for the investigation and excellent report as always. If it were only directly on the way to Cleveland I'd hit it in April, but will have to find some worthy 80/90 stops instead for a carful of choristers in a hurry. Maybe this summer instead (with a slider revisit in the mix as well).