1911 E. Riverside, 442-8402
Mon, 8am-4pm; Tue-Thu, 8am-10pm;
Fri- Sun `til Midnight
I checked out this unassuming little spot on the edge of the Riverside
apartment city on a tip from knowledgeable friends. Now I need to thank them.
The specialty at El Pastor is the popular street food from Northern Mexico,
carne al pastor (literally meat cooked shepherd’s style). The term
refers to meat that is cooked on an upright rotisserie and chopped into small
pieces to be served as taco filling. The standard preparation is a fresh, warm
tortilla filled with tasty pieces of meat covered with chopped onions and
cilantro with a slice of lime to squeeze over it all. The El Pastor version is
made with beef rubbed with achiote for seasoning — the tacos are
divine. If you are hungry for something more substantial, try the El Pastor
Special ($7.99), a combination of carne al pastor and carne asada (grilled meat) mixed with grilled onions, green peppers and tomatoes served
with Mexican rice, frijolesa la charra, and all the tortillas you need.
The excellent carne is available by the pound, as are the tripas.
El Pastor has a full menu; breakfast tacos, lunch specials, dinner
entr�es and desserts including fluffy sopapillas and creamy Marta’s
Flan. For now though, I’m still stuck on the tacos al pastor. — Virginia
B. Wood
This article appears in June 21 • 1996 and June 21 • 1996 (Cover).