zacatacos

Suburbs. Ew.

You know how everybody was born for a reason? You have a destiny in life. A talent. A path.

My friend Glen and I are both English teachers. “Oh, how nice. You have chosen your path to be to help the youth of America? What great people!.”

Well, that’s not what I’m talking about. We are both here as two of the best Playstation 3 NCAA Football game players in history. Look it up.

This has made us extremely competitive with each other on and off the Playstation field. So, the other day, we decided to golf against each other for a little money. We decided on $5,000. This may seem like a big deal to some of you, but the real pride existed in our side bet.

Each tee shot on a par 3 would be for a taco, closest to the pin (there were three in all). The only stipulation was that the ball must be on the green to qualify. Otherwise it carries over the next part 3 hole. Get it? Got it? Good.

So, on the final green, and Glen in the clubhouse with a 47, I was within 18 feet of the pin and sitting on 46 shots. I was hungry (I’ll get to the side bet in a minute). I wiped the sweat from my eyes, took a deep breath, closed my eyes and struck the ball…..wham!…right in the clown’s mouth. We tied. No money exchanged hands.

So, the side bet.

Third hole. We both miss. Carry over for two tacos. Fifth hole. We both miss. We try a second round. We both miss. Carry over for three tacos. Eighth hole. We both miss. We both miss again. Then, on the 11th try of the afternoon, feeling like the real-life Tin Cup (yeah, I know, I know), I put one on. Glen, of course, missed, and I won ALL THREE TACOS!!! Boom! Eat a bag of wieners LeBron.

Wait, is this a diary, or a taco blog?

Right.

So, Glen and I went to Zacatacos in Bridgeview on our way back to the city so I could collect my booty. This location, out of the four, looks the most like it’s a big stupid chain out in the suburbs. The others, I’ve been told, look mas authentico. I had to put that in the back of my mind, and just concentrate on the tacos, though. I’ve been told this is a great place and don’t want my prejudiced attitude to cloud my judgement.

Maybe the reason I typed for so long and didn’t talk about the tacos is because I’m kinda torn on them. I ordered the asada, chorizo and the al pastor. The meats on all of them are excellent. The asada is juicy, salty and has great flavor. The chorizo is home made, has a ton of spice, and isn’t too greasy. The al pastor balances the spicy with the sweet very well. You can taste the grilled char on the exterior. I loved all of the meat.

All of these tacos are very, very good…..with one major problem. The tortilla tastes like leather AND they are doubled up for each taco. I can’t believe the contrast between the near perfection of the meat and the disaster of the tortilla(s). It takes a lot of the flavor, most of the texture and all of the moisture from the meat.

Yes, I realize that I could’ve taken one of the tortillas away. But, I eat the tacos as they are served to me. I figure how they are served to me is how they should be eaten. Also, one of these tortillas is still bad enough to ruin the meat.

I’d be curious to try the other spots, and I’m sure I will.

Alotta masa, man.

P.S. – The salsas are both good and the red one is muy caliente.

Toots:

• Location:  8460 S. Harlem Ave., Bridgeview, IL (Southwest Suburb)
• Tourists:  Josh, Glen
• Tacos sampled:   asada, chorizo, al pastor (also have pollo, lengua, picadillo, vegetarian, papa, and chile relleno)
• Toppings:  onions and cilantro; or lettuce, tomato and cheese
• Salsa:  salsa verde and salsa roja
  
• Extras:  chips
• Tortillas:  corn, doubled up
• Atmosphere:  suburban, sportscenter, sterile, friendly, salsa roja es muy caliente
  
• Price:  $1.75-$2.50/taco
  
• OVERALL RATING:  8.25