Edward R.
Yelp
This review is for El Oaxaqueno take out only as I haven't had the opportunity to dine in as yet.
In central Jersey it is widely known that Lakewood has a large Mexican population with some impressive and authentic Mexican Restaurants to serve them...El Oaxaqueno is among the oldest and most established I understand.
Their Take out menu is large ,colorful and runs the gambit of favorites from Huaraches {a open faced fried masa dough sandwich} to their excellent and filling Pollo a la Brasa {grilled chicken} but their over stuffed tacos and burritos are on a different level altogether.
At $2.00 each for their chorizo,chicken pork asada and ever popular el Pastor tacos what arrives is overwhelming. Served with 2 house made corn tacos these things are huge,over stuffed and topped with the brightest and freshest salsas as well as a sweet grilled whole scallion.
The smoky chorizo with it's Paprika finish interacts with a cooling crema and a dusting of cilantro to offer a great first bite just to settle into a nice fatty and porky finish, pour a bit of the really hot and equally smoky hot salsa or Guac to add an extra kick then take a bite of the grilled scallion to really top it off.
The El Pastor is my favorite....soft,savory,spicy,fatty pork with a distinct sour/sweet pineapple finish, this is a thing of any taco lover's dream. Topped with that excellent salsa fresca,cilantro, Mexcan crema and hot sauce you have all your taste buds firing all at the same time.
The Lengua $3.00 {beef tongue} is tender and so filled with beefy goodness that to top it with more than just a little chopped onion,cilantro and a squeeze of lime would be criminal.
The Burritos are so big as to be almost overwhelming...almost. stuffed with your choice of fillings,seasoned rice, cheese,black or pinto beans {the beans are creamy and salty and probably boiled in pork stock, a good thing} and topped with either that excellent crema or caso blanco and a green salad with onions and tomatoes on the side.
These burritos and so good as to wonder why anyone would even consider dining at a Chipolte's or {Shudder} Taco bell.
I have just begun to explore El Oaxaqueno's menu but can say that their Chuleta a la Diabla {spicy pork chops} and Mole Oaxaqueno {Chicken in Mole sauce} were both quite good also but I risk saying too much and don't wish to anger my beloved Maria from Maria's Taqueria so I'll end with this......
El Oaxaquero serves some of the freshest,most authentic and tasty Mexican food in Lake wood and is worth a special trip just to experience what can be made from humble ingredients,simple seasonings,culinary traditions dating back thousands of years and a yearning for home and its dishes.
Go now....It's lunch time.