Shady.
When I was in first grade, I made a decision that would impact my life forever. I sat next to this kid named Ryan at school. Ryan and I became the best of friends (and still are 29 years later). We did all the things young boys should do together: make bombs, drive cars through corn fields, smell each others’ fingers….you know learning life’s lessons.
Well fast-forward some years, and we’re both a lot like we were back then, minus a few thousand hair follicles. Oh, and the fact that Ryan has become some music-industry big shot who is an agent for several high profile artists, and who has a brand of whiskey coming out soon called Cold Cock. He lives in Hollywood, drives fancy cars, has a pool and rubs elbows with people that are “people”. You know, one of those guys with nothing going for him.
I, on the other hand, live the dream teaching 7th grade Language Arts and writing a blog here in Chicago. So every once in a while, I invite myself to an event and Ryan obliges. This year, I flew out to California for the Coachella Music Festival (sorry hipsters, but it’s fun). Ryan got us VIP passes, rented out a house with two hot tubs, a pool and two live tortoises (although they were nowhere to be found). So, as we sat at the house, drinks flowing, sun blazing, music pumpin’ and half of the Swedish Bikini Team in the pool (it looked like a really terrible, white rap video), what did I decide to do? That’s right, head out and find a local taco joint!
I ran into Taqueria Guerrero. It’s small and in the middle of nowhere, pretty much like everything in the entire Coachella Valley. Side note: if you are ever in the Southwest United States and a Mexican farmer tries to sell you strawberries…buy them. They are delicious. It’s happened to me twice, so it’s gotta be 100% true.
Ok, so the food.
First, this place has a salsa bar, which is awesome. I’ve seen a couple places now with one, and it’s kinda like the choosing the sauces at Buffalo Wild Wings (again, sorry hipsters). I hope I see more (salsa bars, not hipsters) in the future.
I tried three tacos. The first one I tried was the al pastor. It is spicy and very juicy. They don’t add too much pineapple, but enough to make it balance out the heat and add some acidity. This is the best al pastor I’ve had in a while. I thought this place was on it’s way to a great rating, but the carne asada and the lengua are both kind of bland. They are good tacos, but nothing special. I wish they had more bite and tenderness, like the pastor. I also wish they had more taco choices (that leaves me with only one more wish).
The Descendents and Wu-Tang Clan were both awesome. Thanks for asking.
Overall, this place is fine, and it’s the only place within a few miles that serves tacos other than Taco Bell and Del Taco.
Those reviews will have to wait for next year…
Here are the particks:
- Location: 81576 US Hwy. 111, Indio, CA (Coachella Valley)
- Tourists: Josh
- Tacos sampled: carne asada, al pastor, and lengua (also have barbacoa, carnitas and buche)
- Toppings: onions and cilantro, lemons
- Salsa: salsa verde, salsa roja mile, pico de gallo, salsa roja caliente, avacado salsa (not gwock, habanero salsa
- Extras: pickled veggies
- Tortillas: corn
- Atmosphere: lonely, deserted, easy going, empty, uncrowded
- Price: $1.49/taco
- OVERALL RATING: 7.5
taco tourist 