thanks for the great report, Mary! sounds like a very successful visit. And thanks, too, for the great tip about parking at the Aon Center -- definitely an excellent deal.

Now -- where did you go for dinner?

Stopped by the market today to look for a used Wii and the place was dead. Maybe 50 vendors, Green City was the only food vendor we saw aside from the churro truck. Not even the Consomme folks which I was looking forward to.

We consoled ourselves by a quick trip to Birreria De La Torre for a wonderful bowl of carne en su jugo.

Stopped by Maxwell Market for our first experience, namely just for al pastor tacos. Got two each at Rubi's and the taqueria next to it (don't remember name), and also a quesadilla (flor de calabaza) at Rubi's. Corn tortillas were fresh and good, but both they were a bit thick for our liking, and the tortillas at Rubi's ended up a little "tough". Still good though. The al pastor was good at both places, but actually we both preferred the taqueria next to Rubi's. It had a deeper, more complex flavor. Rubi's salsa was better though. Quesadilla was solid, but next time I'd opt for something different.
Still think Los Barrilitos has the best al pastor - easily.


PS - don't know if there is a more relevant thread, but searched and this seemed like the most relevant.

The place next to rubi's that you're talking about is likely manolo's. Indeed great stuff at both places.

I have stopped by Maxwell Street Market a couple times in the last six months and I'm starting to wonder if things have changed. There are at least three spots shaving al pastor off a trompo, but all are consistently shaving uncooked meat and finishing it in a pan. It seems that throughput issues are so prevalent that I don't know if it's even possible to get al pastor actually cooked by charcoal. Also, I can't remember the last time I saw a vendor actually grilling carne asada.

I still enjoy the hand made tortillas and atmosphere of the market, but grilled meats are not consistent enough to be a draw. The food is still plenty tasty, but not a step up from what you can get regularly at countless joints around town. I wonder if over time the constant crowds (especially at the ridiculously crowded Rubi's) has led to complacency. Or maybe the memory of my first couple visits is elevated by nostalgia and it's always been this way.