Mexicanhttp://www.bhamdining.com/mexican/en-US2012-02-10T16:23:42ZSquarespace Site Server v5.11.81 (http://www.squarespace.com/)Camp Tacohttp://www.bhamdining.com/mexican/camp-taco.htmlDeborah Lockridge2010-08-18T17:59:29ZBirmingham Restaurants: Southside1017 20th Street South (Five Points/Southside)
930-1915
www.camptaco.net
Get your tacos -- about 30 varieties -- with everything from standard ol' ground beef to beef brisket, potatoes, grilled chicken, veggies with pepitas, grilled or fried fish or shrimp, guacomole, eggs, etc. Plus unusual concoctions like a steak taco with housemade steak sauce and blue cheese on request, or a chicken BLT taco with white BBQ sauce. They're served on a layer of flour tortilla and corn tortilla glued together with a black-bean paste. Lots of vegetarian and vegan options. Birmingham News review in March 2010 gave it four stars, saying the kitschy decor (John Wayne on velvet, '70s funk and soul playing in the background) doesn't take away from the fine-tasting food. Standouts included a fried fish taco, grilled shrimp taco, vegetable taco, and beef brisket with potatoes. Local food blogger Eatbham.com praised the flank steak taco with blue cheese and the chicken BLT taco. Also read this interview in Birmingham Weekly.]]>La Perla Mexican Groceryhttp://www.bhamdining.com/mexican/la-perla-mexican-grocery.htmlDeborah Lockridge2010-05-21T17:15:11ZBirmingham Restaurants: West1516 9th Avenue North, Bessemer
426-3907
According to a Chowhound.com post, La Perla is "a must-stop place" for authentic tacos. "The al pastor was stellar, much more spicy than sweet. The tongue taco ($1.50) also rocked. Nice selection of fillings, including a sausage that sounds like an offal-lover's dream."]]>Maria's Mexican Restauranthttp://www.bhamdining.com/mexican/marias-mexican-restaurant.htmlDeborah Lockridge2009-07-05T21:59:22ZBirmingham Restaurants: Vestavia1459 Montgomery Highway (Vestavia Hills)
822-2999
In the no-frills location in a motor inn that once housed Sol Azteca. A June 2009 City Scene review noted that tacos benefit from fresh ingredients. A taco salad was a hit, as were Camarones al chipotle, fajitas, carnitas, enchiladas with mole, and chiles toreados (whole jalapenos rubbed with oil and roasted). Desserts -- fried vanilla ice cream, flan, banana chimichanga and tres leches were also praised. Margaritas are "not the best in town ... a strange, almost acid green color and have an odd, artificial taste." However, noted reviewer Susan Swagler, "There's something about Maria's that reminds us of our beloved Las Pinatas," and Maria makes a point of greeting customers personally. On our own visit, while the food was good and cheap, we didn't think it was worthy of the four-star rating from Susan Swagler. Read our impressions from the blog.]]>Los Angeles Burritohttp://www.bhamdining.com/mexican/los-angeles-burrito.htmlDeborah Lockridge2009-03-29T22:09:20Z1614 Kent Dairy Road, Alabaster
419-5272
Mexican and American food, including burritos, nachos, quesadillas, fajitas and cheeseburgers. Order from the menu board above the counter and grab a table. Named a "hidden gem of dining" by Birmingham News City Scene, March 2009, which said, "Don't leave without trying the grilled chicken supreme burrito ... comes filled with chunks, not shreds, of chicken and topped with avocado slices." ]]>San Marcoshttp://www.bhamdining.com/mexican/san-marcos.htmlDeborah Lockridge2009-02-27T03:43:41ZBirmingham Restaurants: East1857 Center Point Parkway
856-1423
Market serving authentic tacos, generously filled, according to a January 2009 City Scene article. "Try the pastor, a little spicier and not as sweet as some cousins." A Chowhound.com post concurred, saying "The al pastor was the best I've tried around town -- too many are too sweet. They have the usual carnita, cabeze, tripa. But they also have higado (liver), which I don't see too many places."]]>Tienda Latina Camino Realhttp://www.bhamdining.com/mexican/tienda-latina-camino-real.htmlDeborah Lockridge2009-02-27T03:41:46ZBirmingham Restaurants: South3083 Pelham Parkway
664-0104
Market with meat counter and restaurant that sells eight different kinds of authentic tacos. Good choices, according to a January 2009 City Scene article, include lengua (seasoned beef tongue) and pastor (sweet/spicy pork). ]]>Taqueria La Reynahttp://www.bhamdining.com/mexican/taqueria-la-reyna.htmlDeborah Lockridge2009-02-27T03:37:39ZBirmingham Restaurants: Homewood702 Valley Ave.
942-0068
Authentic taqueria with handmade in-house tortillas. City Scene (January 2009) says the lengua (seasoned beef tongue) may be the city's best. Other good choices are pastor (sweet/spicy flame-cooked pork), fried tripa (tripe) and carne asada (thin-sliced marinated beef). ]]>San Miguel Mexican Restauranthttp://www.bhamdining.com/mexican/san-miguel-mexican-restaurant.htmlDeborah Lockridge2008-08-21T18:05:46ZBirmingham Restaurants: Homewood201 Green Springs Highway, Homewood
942-1740
Generously filled tacos and tortas with authentic fillings like cabiza, carnitas, al pastor. Ceviche tostadas, quail, rellenos, fish and shrimp dishes.
]]>Gordo's Markethttp://www.bhamdining.com/mexican/gordos-market.htmlDeborah Lockridge2008-08-21T17:59:11ZBirmingham Restaurants: Homewood433 Valley Ave.
916-0707
A post on Chowhound.com calls these some of the best real tacos in town, with authentic fillings such as carnitas (twice-cooked pork), cabeza (beef head meat/cheeks), tripe and lengua (tongue). They have a little bar for dressing your tacos, with diced onion, minced cilantro and several different kinds of salsa. City Scene (January 2009) says, "Arguably the best taco in town, served in house-made tortillas. Dress them at a bar that includes onions, cilantro, jalapenos, radishes and six kinds of salsas. Carnitas, sold weekends, are spectacular. Pork belly lovers shouldn't miss the cueritos."]]>El Cazador Mexican Grillhttp://www.bhamdining.com/mexican/el-cazador-mexican-grill.htmlDeborah Lockridge2007-10-22T19:36:17ZBirmingham Restaurants: East1540 Montclair Rd.
951-1205
A Bhamdining reader writes (October 2007), "While it is decorated with the typical sombreros and serapes, it is bright and airy and impeccably clean, with one of the friendliest staffs you will ever meet. They serve all the familiar dishes that Americans have grown accustomed to as well as some more authentic Mexican dishes -- classic beef and chicken dishes as well as pork and, I think best of all, a number of shrimp dishes. They even serve the authentic Mexican shrimp cocktail, made with orange soda as one of the ingredients and served at room temperature. Very different from the American version! The place is always packed, but service is always prompt, friendly and correct. The prices are extremely modest considering the quality and quantity of food served. And talk about killer guacamole - ai-yi-yi!" They were, however, shut down briefly by the Health Department in summer 2007 for reported cases of food poisoning.
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