**** Lalo's has closed.
I can hear you all now...."oh no, not another taco shop!" Believe me, we've said that a time or two. But one of the great things thing about San Diego is that there are Taco Shops everywhere. On the other hand one of the bad things about San Diego is that there are Taco Shops everywhere. In certain neighborhoods, it is possible to find a Taco Shop on every corner of a given block, and very mediocre Taco Shops at that. But sometimes it's either a Taco Shop or some Fast Food joint, in that case, I'll usually take a Taco Shop. After a recent shopping excursion to Trader Joe's in Hillcrest, we were a bit hungry, and stopped by Lalo's.
There always seems to be a few people in Lalo's, and the menu is pretty extensive, with everything from Flautas to Torta's. In fact, there's so much "stuff" on the menu, that Vietnamese Menu overload can occur.
After staring at the menu for about ten minutes, we took the easy way out and ordered the "specials".
The "Hillcrest"($4.99):
The plate featured four "mini" Al Pastor tacos, refried beans, and rice. Quite alot of food for $4.99! The rice was rather dry and tasteless, but I rather enjoyed the taste and texture of the beans after I added some salsa from the Salsa Bar to it. The four tacos had a nice amount of Al Pastor in them.
The good; the Al Pastor was seasoned well, with a nice chili flavor, and good caramelization. The bad; the Al Pastor was pretty dry, and the Guacamole flavorless and "gluey", the tortillas were fairly crumbly. The tacos tasted much better without the "Guac" and with just a squeeze of lime. If I ever have these again, that's how I'll get them.
The "Uptown"($4.49); featured a Fish Taco, Two Rolled Tacos(1 beef, 1 chicken), and same beans and rice.
I'm glad that the Fish Taco had cabbage, instead of lettuce. Though it looked like a large piece of fried fish, the taco actually contained two "fish nuggets", and there was a "gap" between the pieces of fish. The fish was well fried, and tasted okay with the salsa from the bar. The Rolled Tacos (taquitos) were very bland, with very little filling. I really couldn't tell which was the beef and which was the chicken.
In the end Lalo's really didn't stand out from the plethora of other Taco Shops in San Diego, though the prices are fairly reasonable.
Lalo's Tacos Etc (Yes, "Etc" is part of the name)
1266 University Ave
San Diego, CA 92103
Postscipt:
When I typed the word "plethora" above, a really weird conversation entered my "stream of consciousness". I guess this is kind of dated, and pretty un-hip....
El Guapo: Jefe, would you say I have a plethora of pinatas?
Jefe: A what?
El Guapo: A "plethora".
Jefe: Oh yes, El Guapo. You have a plethora.
El Guapo: Jefe, what is a plethora?
Jefe: Why, El Guapo?
El Guapo: Well, you just told me that I had a plethora, and I would just like to know if you know what it means to have a plethora. I would not like to think that someone would tell someone else he has a plethora, and then find out that that person has "no idea" what it means to have a plethora.
Jefe: El Guapo, I know that I, Jefe, do not have your superior intellect and education, but could it be that once again, you are angry at something else, and are looking to take it out on me?
That conversation at the end was kind of wierd ... where was it from?
Mmm dining in Sand Diego lesson 101. Only dine at places Kirk recommends ... Yes I agree its scary when there are a plethora of a certain food stall. One is inclined to think they might all be the same. I had a bad experience getting a chicken kebab from one of the roadside vendors in New York. The chicken was cooked ont he outside and raw on the inside ... and it cost US $4.50 for the one stick. :( I kind of stayed away from pushcart vendors after that.
Posted by: Rachel | Thursday, 12 January 2006 at 12:07 AM
Hi Rachel - Sorry about that stuff that came rolling out of my head - it's from a movie waaaay back in the mid-eighties called Three Amigos. Four-Fifty for an uncooked chicken kabob, yuck!
Posted by: Kirk | Thursday, 12 January 2006 at 12:17 AM
Ahh, the "Vietnamese Menu Overload" - thanks for officially giving such situations a name!
Posted by: Kathy | Thursday, 12 January 2006 at 01:25 AM
lol I heard about the 3 amigos lary curly and moe but I can't say I've ever seen one of their movies. Do you recommend them? And I agree with Kathy you have coined a new phrase yaay!!
Posted by: Rachel | Thursday, 12 January 2006 at 04:52 AM
Hi Kathy - We always kinda freak out at Vietnemese Menus - you know, only 5 ingredients, listing every variation of those 5 ingredients! Sends my head swimming. 5x5x5x5x5.....
Hi Rachel - Ok, I'm really gonna show my age here. Three Amigos was a comedy starring Steve Martin, Chevy Chase, and Martin Short made in 1986....ummm I think you're talking about the 3 Stooges? That's even before MY time! LOL!
Posted by: Kirk | Thursday, 12 January 2006 at 09:29 AM
Three Amigos! One of the best comedies ever! As a young lad, the movie was the way I learned what "Plethora" meant. My first SAT word.
I also like the line where they don't know the meaning of the word "infamous".
And the "my little teacup" song.
And "son of a mother-less goat!"
I can go on and on!
Posted by: elmomonster | Thursday, 12 January 2006 at 11:02 AM
Oh gads! Don't you babies need a nap or something?!?! ::laughs and rolls her eyes:: I suddenly have a need for my daughter to fix me a bowl of warm milk with an ensaimada soaked in it...
Posted by: Jo | Thursday, 12 January 2006 at 02:42 PM
LOL Elmo! I must've been having flashbacks....
"Do you know what "nada" means?"
"Isn't that a light chicken gravy?"
And killing the Invisible Swordsman!
Hi Jo - Maybe Grandma, needs a nap? LOL! :o)
Posted by: Kirk | Thursday, 12 January 2006 at 04:56 PM
I knew where it was from. Case said yay 3 amigos.
I have to say it is mean to complain that this restaurant was just like the plethora of taco stands. I want just one taco stand... *humph* :P
Posted by: Clare Eats | Thursday, 12 January 2006 at 09:29 PM
Nobody thinks that Kirk! I love it when you review taco shops! Plus, taco shops make San Diego "tick"!
I love the pictures! Even if the food tastes like garbage, if I get those portions, the food is worth it! Plus, the food looks visually attractive. I'd eat it.
As for your Three Amigos reference, that made me smile. I remember that movie pretty well. Probably not as well as you do, because I don't think I could quote from it like that, but I do remember the funny "canteen scene" when Martin Short had no water in his canteen, Steve Martin had sand, and Chevy Chase had a gushing waterfall in his canteen! Hilarious!
Posted by: Passionate Eater | Thursday, 12 January 2006 at 10:59 PM
Hi Clare - So would you say you want "uno" taco stands...LOL!
Hi PE - It's really funny, I never knew that the movie was so "ingrained", after all it's not Airplane.....The portions at Lalo's are fine, but the food is nothing special. But not terrible.
Posted by: Kirk | Thursday, 12 January 2006 at 11:17 PM
LOL. Whenever I hear the word "plethora" I also hear it a la Three Amigos and in that heavy accent. That's where I learned the word from!
I don't think I could ever take a taco shop seriously that has such watery guacamole that doesn't even appear to have any real avos in it. Scary!
Posted by: Beth | Thursday, 12 January 2006 at 11:28 PM
"vietnamese menu overload"...I love it.
Posted by: Jack | Thursday, 12 January 2006 at 11:37 PM
alot of food for 5 bucks! sweet deal
too bad the gooey guacamole got in the way
i agree with you kirk..just some salsa and lime is all thats needed for a taco
Posted by: Bandini | Friday, 13 January 2006 at 01:57 AM
Hi Beth - I guess I'm not the only one who hears this dialogue everytime "plethora" is used.
Hey Jack - I guess you know what I mean.....
Hi Bandini - there are just certain tacos that have no business being slathered in Guac, unless you're trying to hide something....
Posted by: Kirk | Friday, 13 January 2006 at 08:41 AM
OH yea! a nap after my meal is perfect! Oh, and while you "kids" are all hyped on "plethora", you should also figure out the following:
1. how do you spell "asphyxiation"
2. the definition and proper use of:
a. cogitate
b. conundrum
Did I just use 3 big words? Yep, sure did! Time for a nap! ::toddles off to bed::
Posted by: Jo | Saturday, 14 January 2006 at 08:11 PM
Hi Jo - Hope you didn't hurt yourself.....
Posted by: Kirk | Sunday, 15 January 2006 at 12:19 AM
I remember plethora was used in another movie, Sister Act, one student was making fun of another for dropping out of high school by saying (paraphrased) "I'm sure you'll have a plethora of options"
Anyway, I didn't like that movie much because it was a musical.
Posted by: b-boy | Wednesday, 16 May 2007 at 10:21 AM
Hi b-boy - Wow, I don't remember that one.....
Posted by: Kirk | Wednesday, 16 May 2007 at 03:09 PM