 |
| Tacos from El Rodeo |
Sadly, many of you who read this may probably never attempt to eat at El Rodeo. It's a small Latino store on North 41 in Calhoun. There, a limited amount of groceries and phone cards are available for purchase, a couple of pool tables provide entertainment for those who seek it, and a small restaurant nestled in the rear of the store offers an array of authentic comida (food). The menu is in Spanish; however, the staff speak a bit of English. The salsa is HOT, and the menu items are not what you'll find at Taco Bell or any of the Tex Mex type of Mexican restaurants which are so popular in the area.
View El Rodeo in a larger map
I sampled a variety of tacos: cabeza (meat from the head of a cow), lengua (tongue), tripa (stomach), al pastor (pork), and chorizo (spicy sausage). Some will cringe at the thoughts of eating any of these tacos; however, I am convinced that if I gave you a bite and didn't tell you what you were eating, you would love it. Then you would go on to tell me this was some of the best tasting, most tender, delicate (ok, not the tripe, it's a tad chewy, but awesome) pieces of meats you've ever eaten. How do I know this? Because that's exactly what I thought when I first tasted these types of tacos years ago. I didn't know what I was eating, but after the first bite I didn't care. This is some of the best food that you'll never eat.
We are lucky to have such authentic food from a different culture so readily available, at such cheap prices (~$2 per taco). Be adventurous. Try something a little different. The staff were so kind and helpful. Another customer even offered to help translate the menu for us. If you decide to try out some tacos (or other items), it might be helpful to look up some of the items on your phone so you'll know what you're getting (or maybe not!). Don't be afraid of the drinks (aguas frescas) either. We tried horchata and pineapple, and both were great. Get out there and EAT!
