La Cantina Del Pueblo
La Cantina Del Pueblo is a spot for freshly made corn tacos and juicy lamb barbacoa.
This casual restaurant will definitely hit the spot when you're craving some Mexican food, eaten to a playlist of mariachi and ranchera tunes.
Owners Fermin and Nancy Venegas have more than 20 years of restaurant ownership under their belt, with two restaurants in Mexico that are still in business.
They're serving some of the same dishes you'd find at their surf and turf in Zumpango, or their restaurant in Tultitlan. Nearly all the portions are generous here.
The signature thing here is definitely their fluffy and moist tortillas, which are made fresh to order and flattened by Nancy in a tortilla press imported from Zumpango.
The texture is impressive. They don't fall apart despite holding some saucy suadero beef ($8), done a brisket-style.
Every order of tacos comes in a pair. I recommend the lucas tacos ($10), which have shrimp, refried beans, morita, and chipotle sauce.
The baja fish ($10) tacos are also an easy favourite, with breaded fish and chipotle mayo.
You'll also get a whole basket of piping hot tortillas with your order of the alambre campechano ($18): a grilled steak pork in adobo sauce with Oaxaca cheese, frijoles, and fresh queso.
A side of guacamole ($8) is mandatory, and comes with baked chips, which are equally good with one of three house-made hot sauces: salsa verde, rojas, and a delicious pineapple sauce with a mild kick.
Enchiladas verdes ($16) comes with four tortillas stuffed with chicken and doused in green tomato sauce, fresh cheese, and green.
The dish I'm definitely coming back for is the barbacoa hidalgo ($23), a juicy lamb that's steamed and served in a banana leaf with a side of delicious lamb broth and a side of rice.
Pour the sauce on top of the lamb or vice verse. Either way you eat it, it's delicious. Aside from the option of wine, Modelos, or micheladas, there's also a list of exemplary cocktails.
The Jamaica Mezcal Sour ($13) takes mezcal and blends it with hibiscus, lime, and egg whites.
The Pina En El Cantaro ($13) is mezcal, pinepple and agave served in a cantaro, or a traditional clay cup. The cantaro rimmed with a mix of Migeulito chili powder and Tajin.
It's an awesome drink, and not the only thing I'll be back for at La Cantina Del Pueblo.
Hector Vasquez