Hominy Homily: Taqueria El Cazador

Taqueria El Cazador is a taqueria tucked into an old bus. It is similar to the taco truck concept except one better. You can actually go into the bus and take a seat at the chairs and counter along the sides. The kitchen is tucked into the back third of the bus. You can also eat outside under the picnic table.

While I wouldn't yet claim to be a taco authority, I have worked my way through several very good taquerias on Atlanta's holy Buford Highway. Taqueria El Cazador ranks right up there with the best of them. These tacos are good and cheap.

Sticking to my usual theme of ordering the most unusual meats on the menu, I ordered three tacos: tripa (tripe which is cow stomach), lengua (cow tongue), and cabeza (beef cheek). Through experience I have learned that these unusual proteins are actually some of the most flavorful and tender parts of a cow. Also, the fact that these meats are on the menu is an excellent sign as they are very authentic Mexican. In addition to the three I ordered, they also serve al pastor and barbacoa tacos and possibly others I don't remember.

All three tacos were excellent. The tripe was crispy and a little chewy. The tongue was super tender and the best of the three. The beef cheek was also very tender but with more of a meaty flavor than the tongue and a standard, stringy meat consistency. I would recommend any and all of Taqueria El Cazador's tacos. They have a four tacos for five dollars deal which is pretty hard to beat.

We all had an orange Jarritos to wash down our food. If you have yet to try a Jarritos, don't delay. I never drink soft drinks, but I love a Jarritos every now and then. They are less sweet than American drinks. A cold Jarritos on a hot day with flavorful tacos is a great way to pass the time.

My wife ordered two chicken sopes. Sopes are a Mexican dish which originated in the Sinaloa region but has now spread to all of Mexico. Sopes consist of a fried masa (cornmeal paste used to make tortillas) bottom with meat, sauce, and toppings stacked over it. It is sort of like the tortilla at the bottom serves as the plate but you also eat your plate. They are very good. For more on sopes see my previous post on Rincon Latino. El Cazador's sope was good and worth ordering.

Finally, my mother-in-law had a quesadilla. The quesadilla was okay, but it was nothing special like the tacos and sopes. The carrots and peppers in the picture are a pickled vegetable side served with each dish.