Bienvenido a Mexico!...en Utah...

Ever since I've started dating a Mexican, I've been opened up to the world of "actual" Mexican food. Authentic dishes that I've never heard of or seen before. Why didn't I date him sooner?! I now have the constant stream of full blooded, Mexican food, I've become a snob toward "tex-mex" cuisine. Nothing tastes the same. I don't even think that I can look at The Bell the same way I did back in my freshman years. Oh the naïveté.

The one food I crave the most from my new palate, is Tacos al Pastor. Tacos al pastor was said to originate in Puebla back in the 1800's from Lebanese immigrants. This dish is a spicy marinated blend that is left to soak up flavor for several days, then layered on spits.

The al pastor cooks on a charcoal brazier while a man slivers off slices of meat and warm pineapple from the top of the spit. Other condiments are served like: cilantro, onion, and a special sauce that if you're not used to heat, will give you a kick in the pants.

My world was changed when I tasted these beauties for the first time. I even out ate the boyfriend, eating 8 pastors in one sitting...I've never been so miserably happy in my life.

When I moved to Utah I thought my days of good authentic Mexican food were over. Oh how wrong I was. This place is more Latino than Oklahoma! Thank goodness I can get my fix.

I decided to do an al pastor run and picked two places that I think are pretty darn good.

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Chunga's

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Al pastor at Chunga's is good. Really good. However a bit different from the norm. It's been Utahized slightly, making the meat sweeter. Go try it! It's worth the look!

Chunga's also makes a great sope with ALL SORTS of traditional fillings like chicarron, barrbacoa, nopales, and my favorite...and also not so traditional: bistek.

You can also put al Pastor meat on the sopes (awesome!). These are definitely filling and worth the $4.75/sope. If they have the fresh squeezed orange juice. Get it. You'll never want Tropicana again.

These sopes remind me of what my boyfriend's mom makes. *sighs* Layers are as follows: Chewy thick tortilla, beans, meat, lettuce, onions, crema, and queso.

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Pastorero

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This was actually my first al pastor place to visit here in Provo. I was practically jumping up and down in my car when I saw their sign. Trust me it is worth the excitement.

Seven different types of sauces, telanovelas in the background, a rainbow of Mexican sodas displayed up front, Valentina on every table, and a menu full of tasty concoctions.

Nothing beats the original though. I like mine with the tomatillo salsa and lime juice.

My brother ordered the quesadilla. It has a thinner tortilla than most Americans are used to. I absolutely love that. You are able to taste more of the filling and less of the bread. He liked the avocado-lime salsa.

This is Horchata. It is amazing that something so simple can taste so good. Horchata is basically like a rice milk drink flavored with cinnamon. Served cold, thick and creamy. You can get a BIG glass here and enjoy it alongside your meal.

Provecho!

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Chunga's
Where: 664 N. Freedom Blvd., Provo, UT
Phone: (801) 607-1570

Pastoreo
Where: 1774 N. University Pkwy., Provo, UT
Phone: (801) 373-1689