Aron B.
Yelp
Wow, Southgate...what *else* are you hiding?
Five stars to start with: that's some pretty big shoes to fill, and all because they just became the new king of al pastor tacos. That's right, kids: no longer is Taqueria Alameda in Westland my #1 for al pastor tacos. Meet the new boss, not the same as the old boss.
You know what? Let's back up for a second: this place is pretty cheery and bright. It's a *nice* place, and it's really *not* what you think of when you hear the words "Mexican restaurant". I'm not saying it's super-high-end-with-white-tablecloths or anything, but it's well designed, the typical red, yellow and orange colors you find in most Mexican places are almost nowhere to be found, and it's kind of "hip", I would say. It's well-designed, too: the carryout operation is on one side of the place, and the dine-in is on the other, and it works quite well. I certainly liked the feel of the place, though if I'm being honest: the restroom is *tiny*. It's clean and well stocked with paper products, but it's tiny. That's about the only ding against the physical place I can say.
Service was really good. I interacted with several nice folks who made good suggestions and did their jobs well. I tipped them very well as a result. I do not believe that I ever went without anything that I needed to enjoy my meal.
But oh, the food! That's the Most Important Thing to me, and while they did have one miss (a carne asada taco which I was not charged for), everything else was good to downright out-stinking-standing! Those al pastor tacos (be sure that they include the pineapple!)? Best I've ever had, to my recollection, and I've eaten those *everywhere*. Their pico de gallo (I'm a card-carrying freak!)? Absolutely wonderful. The only way that could have been better was if the tomatoes were in season. As it is? It's still a *terrific* version of pico.
The complimentary chips and salsa that started out the meal? Very nice. They came warm to the table, with four different salsas they make, of which none are bad, but the mild was my favorite/most interesting, and the jalapeño was also good. The others just didn't resonate with me all that well, but they were certainly fine. A fine start.
I also received a cup of fideo, best described as "chicken noodle soup without any actual chicken meat", and that would be accurate. It's not going to change your life, but on a cold day, hot broth and noodles is still welcome to this body. Considering that it, too, was complimentary, I was happy to receive it.
The bottom line: the food just kicked tail and took names. I ate *five* of those al pastor tacos in addition to the chips and salsa, the 12 ounces of pico de gallo, the fideo...and I honestly just forced myself not to order a sixth. Five should be enough to feed me, and it honestly was! I just loved the tastes, flavors, and texture of those tacos, especially when squeezed lime was added, along with the pico. I just wanted to keep eating, even if I was sated. These things were delicious on so many levels.
I sincerely hope that work takes me down that way again soon. I am jealous of the people in Southgate, really!