In the mood to get some Mexican, Rodney and I perused Yelp just to try something new. We hit upon a place called El Toro Bravo. Reviews prompted us to jump in the truck immediately and get some; it was near 9, closing time for this small place.
I'm glad we found El Toro Bravo on Yelp, otherwise we'd have never stumbled on this location. We'd have never known what we were missing out on! It is in the rear end of a strip-mall building and the sign out from was just dinky.
Upon entering, we found that dinky is the word for this place. The area for customers was limited to about 20 square feet, just enough for a few people to squeeze in, peruse the hanging menus, take glances at the glass-shielded food, order and pay.
We looked at the menus and were baffled by the choices there were so many! But there, standing on the counter, in a plain frame, was an option for a 2-taco combo, complete with rice and beans as well as a beverage for only $5.99. Yes, you heard it correctly, $5.99.
Ok, $5.99. That's a decent price for two tacos. That's a decent price for beans and rice and a soda. Tacos, beans, rice and soda, all for $5.99? For a second, I thought we were being duped or were in the most authentic Taco Bell ever conceived.
While there were many options from goat to tongue to chicken to carnitas, I requested one carnitas and one chicken taco in my combo. The gentleman behind the counter promptly grabbed two tortillas and with them, grabbed a giant hunk of whole chicken. He then proceeded to dump the chicken out on the long cutting surface and with two cleavers, chopped my chicken and returned the pieces to the tortillas. Cilanto y onion? Yep! Salsa? Yep! Do you like hot or mild? Uh, can I have one of each? On the side? Yep!
Then he prepped my carnitas taco, using the same maneuvers. A giant scoop using the tortillas, then chopping the pork and delivering the chopped delicacy back into the tortillas. Carefully, he put these two tacos into the large area of a 3-division container, shoveled beans and rice into their respective locations, nestled two lime halves in with the tacos, topped everything with jalapenos and carrot slices, then added a handful of fresh thick chips!
Rodney requested the same thing, but two carnitas tacos, yes on the cilantro and onion, plus salsa verde.
Once both of our boxes of dinner were prepared, we went to the register and were asked what we'd like for our beverages. Finding that we could have fresh aguas or Coca-Cola, we opted for Cokes. We're junkies like that.
Now take a look at what you get for $5.99, Coke not imaged. Dinky does not describe the food. It's completely monstrous in quantity. As it turns out, in unequivocal deliciousness as well.
The carnitas were butter soft and not too salty. I couldn't speak for the chicken taco, I didn't even get that far before I had to stop. One combo is certainly enough for two. The tortillas were out of this world -- no wonder the chips were spectacular! Rodney and I were both astounded by the quality of this food. Buy it by the combo, by the pound or by the number of folks at your party, El Toro Bravo has you covered.
Now go to 19th street and look for the AutoZone. Park in the lot directly across the street from AutoZone. Find this tiny place with the tiny non-descript sign at the end of the building two doors down from a hair salon. Walk in and be astonished my the smells and the choices. Salivate a little too much. Order. Go home. Eat like a pig. And still have more for tomorrow.
Dinner for 3-4 via two combos is less than $15 out the door. Don't forget to leave a tip!
0 comments:
Post a Comment