Ben S.
Yelp
The torta de asada (steak torta) at Guanajuato #3 is a perfect sandwich.
Back before Kuma's, before Urban Belly, before Doug's moved across the river, before Taqueria Trespasada, I worked in this neighborhood. Not having a car, my lunchtime options were limited. Turns out that was a good thing; were it not so, I might never have discovered Guanajuato's.
Nondescript looking Mexican grocery store from the outside, Guanajuato #3 sits on California just south of Belmont, right in the hub of the sideways T formed by Hot Doug's, Kuma's, and Urban Belly. It's a true hidden gem, serving up great fresh mexican street food for unbeatable prices unbeknownst to the droves of food lovers flocking to those other yelper faves. Walk in past the registers and make a right around the little wall and you'll find the taco counter.
Lunchtime rush at Guanajuato is always lively. During the week the crowd is mostly spanish speaking, with builders and contractors making up a sizable chunk of it (and the occasional guero interloper that knows what's up). On weekends it's more of a mix of tradesmen and families.
The tacos de asada are great. Also try the lomo encebollado (steak and onions), the chorizo (spicy sausage), the carnitas (fried pork). They sell a ton of lengua so if you want beef tongue this is the place to get it. The tacos are all about $2/ea and are the best I've had in the city in terms of straight up traditional tacos. Chivo (goat) is available on weekends, but I've never had a chance to try it. I'm sure it's the bomb though, considering that the last bad thing I had at Guanajuato was nothing. Show up early enough (before 10am iirc) and they've got super tasty, super cheap egg tortas and freshly squeezed orange juice to go with it.
Now, back to that perfect sandwich. Yes, the tacos are great. Yes, they're up there among the best tacos in town. But Guanajuato's steak torta is what you've gotta try. Served with a thin layer of refried beans spread across lightly fried bread, a generous but not overwhelming helping of nicely seasoned chunks of asada, with super fresh lettuce, avocado, and a smear of slightly funky, delicious mayonaise...add a squirt of hot salsa verde and you'll find yourself a day or 2 later, craving another. It's 4 damn dollars! $4! Get it "para aqui" along with a mexican coke and sit your ass down at the counter so you can eat it before it gets cold. Though they're pretty good to go, too. The consistent high quality of Guanajuato's food, divided by it's price...that's a ratio few restaurants come close to.
I'm hesitant to post this on yelp as I'm sure none of the current regulars nor the cooks are eager to have the place overrun by a bunch of guero food perverts, but I mean...to hell with it. A perfect sandwich for $4? People have got to know! Besides, I'm sure the workman like vibe or the overall lack of english being spoken will turn off a lot of y'all, so it's probably safe.
Make sure that after you leave Guanajuato, you pass by Kuma's or Doug's to look at the people waiting in line so that you can smirk at them and feel superior. Isn't that part of what yelp is all about?