Friday, August 1, 2008

Huarache Azteca Express - CLOSED

109 Ave F, Stafford, parallel to and a couple of blocks east of FM 1092, between the east and west bound routes of 90-A.

UPDATE 1/28/11 - THERE IS NOW A FOR RENT SIGN IN THE WINDOW.

UPDATE 1/24/11 - DROVE BY THIS PLACE YESTERDAY, SUNDAY, ABOUT 1PM. THE NAME IS NOW HUARACHE ANTOJITOS MEXICANA AND IT WAS CLOSED. MUST'VE BEEN A CHANGE OF OWNERSHIP BUT I DON'T KNOW IF THE MENU HAS CHANGED AS AS WELL AS THE HOURS.

These people are being very generous with the free samples, like Pierson’s. I”ve gotten a free taco on each visit (bistec, ribs, chicharron and barbacoa) and on one visit free samples of 2 different aguas frescas (they have 6).

The place is new, spic and span, stainless steel and glass, and a very friendly crew, but there is a small problem with English, sometimes. The free condiments bar offers 3 salsas, pico, onions, cilatro, curtido (they do pupusas) and free coffee.

The place is named for the place in Mexico City that originated huaraches, so named because the tlacoyo looks like the sole of a sandal. Basically it’s a thick, torpedo shaped tortilla with refried black bean filling, warmed on a griddle for a second time then topped with more refritos, salsa of your choice, queso fresco and topping of your choice. I had the al pastor on my first visit. On the second visit the man was trying to interest me in the one described I the Press review with 2 eggs but when I wanted something else he offered any other 2 toppings and I went with carnitas and longaniza con nopalitos. I liked both of these better than the al pastor and all 3 better than the bistec taco (gristly) and ribs (rib tips, including cartilage). However, on another visit the bistec taco was excellent.

Tacos are made with hand-made tortillas and are good, too. The lamb barbacoa, available only on weekends, is excellent, too.

They serve breakfasts, tortas, caldos (menudo on weekends), but no desserts. I was bummed one time when I went in determined to try their flan or tres leches only to discover the menu doesn't list any postres.

I haven’t gotten a good picture of the huarache but this place is going to be a regular for me and will save me a lot of gas, making it less necessary to drive up to Jarro Café on Gesner or Gerardo’s on Patton.

2 comments:

JimH said...

You are right on, I walked into the place tonight and the aroma coming from the steam table made my stomach growl. Large portions and the people were very friendly.

Bruce said...

Glad you liked it. It's one of my favorite finds of the last year or so and save for the gristly bistec taco on the first visit, I've never had a bad meal there. The best is the longaniza or the lamb barbacoa on weekends. In fact, I usually try to delay any cravings until the weekend so I can get that.