Cowan huddle.
The Taco Tour stop at El Cid in Logan Square provided a lot of superlatives. Most people in my posse at a stop (6). Youngest posse member at a stop (3). Oldest posse member at a stop (41). First stop with somebody I’m related to (my sister, brother-in-law and two nephews). Hottest salsa on the tour, so far (salsa caliente – nothing crazy, but pretty darned hot).
I’ve been to El Cid many times, including the old, original location (sniffle) which is now a Rum bar called Paladar (same ownership). It’s a great place for quality Mexican food, created by Cubans, with a price to match the smaller taco stands. BUT…how are the tacos?
They’re actually very good. I tried the carne asada, which they call flank steak on the menu. This is also the first stop on the menu where I had to translate from English to Spanish. The spices and grill flavor are right on. I also enjoyed the al pastor, which they call Mexican gyros. It has a nice adobo flavor and has just the right amount of pineapple to balance out the flavor. The carnitas was my final taco, and although it wasn’t a home run, it wasn’t as dry as most places. We’ll call it an infield single. You know, good, but not that good.
Also, if any single guys would like to rent my 3-year old nephew and take him there, he’s available for $3,000 an hour. He’s a super cute kid with curly hair that looks like Sideshow Bob’s. Every girl in the restaurant came over and complimented him. Just sayin’.
The (insert superlative) details:
- Location: 2645 N. Kedzie Ave., Chicago, IL (Logan Square)
- Tourists: Josh, Julia, Heather, Darin, Carter, Conn0r
- Tacos sampled: carne asada, al pastor, carnitas (also have pollo, barbacoa, lengua, chorizo, picadillo, lengua, vegetariano)
- Toppings: onions and cilantro, lime
- Salsa: pico de gallo, salsa verde, salsa roja, salsa caliente
- Extras: chips
- Tortillas: corn
- Atmosphere: large, outside, inside, upstairs, downstairs, Cuban-Mexican
- Price: $1.95/taco
- OVERALL RATING: 8.0
taco tourist 