I've always noticed the "Farmers Market" sign while driving on the 5 Freeway when passing the exit for the Coronado Bridge. I've also passed the structure on Imperial Avenue, and have wondered just what was in this large brick building.
The main business in the building is the Plaza Del Sol Market. But walk East past the Market and enter through the doorway, and you'll enter another world. This half of the building contains a huge collection of stalls, selling everything from Car Insurance to Carnitas. Among the many food stalls, on the far east side of the building among the crowds eating even at 2pm on a Sunday lies Taqueria El Guero. I decided to stop here, mainly because many of the other stalls were either packed or closing down. But "El Guero" was going strong, except for the empty Trompo(verticle spit, that holds and cooks Al Pastor). The trompo was enough to make us stop and grab some tacos.
All tacos here are $1.16 each, ad include items such as tripas(intestines), buche(stomach), and carne asada. The drill is, a Gal with a order pad meets you at the counter and you place your order; in our case Cabeza(cheek), Al Pastor(marinated and rubbed pork, grilled on a verticle spit), and Carne Asada. We had originally wanted lengua(tongue), but they were out. When your order is ready, you get just tortillas with the meat on it. You walk over to the "salsa" stand, and load up on what you want, from radishes to onions. (Sorry, no sour cream!!!!) Walk on over to a empty table and eat. Be careful, there are pigeons in the rafters, and they create the major pigeon by-product, you really don't want that on you, or your taco!
We really don't put much on our tacos, at least these type of tacos. The well marinated, or well stewed meat has alot of flavor. In this case the Asada was too mild, and the Cabeza was pretty good, but a bit too waxy, and not cooked to the moist tenderness that I enjoy. The Al Pastor, was excellent though, very moist, and slightly spicy. The Al Pastor needed no additional flavoring, though perhaps it could have been a bit more caramelized, but I think that's the product of our late arrival.
3 Tacos and Horchata for 5 bucks ain't bad. The Al Pastor makes this place worth another visit.
Over the next few weeks I'll cover the other eating stalls within the Farmers Market, especially Carnitas Michoacan, which besides selling carnitas in tacos and tortas, sells carnitas by weight and "part"(i.e. leg, shoulder, skin). Today we arrived late and there was only leg and "skin" left. Though we were the only Non-Hispanic people I saw in the market, most people(except the tamale guy) speak English.
So if you have a chance, go ahead and enter another world at the San Diego Farmers Market.
Taqueria El Guero in the San Diego Farmers Market
2100 Imperial Ave.
San Diego, CA 92102
OH yea, you definately gotta do the carnitas. My fav stall food is Nachos de Carnitas con extra crema. oh yea... ::smiles gently as eyes go glassy::
Posted by: Jo | Sunday, 08 January 2006 at 09:29 PM
MMM they look yummy!
Posted by: clare eats | Sunday, 08 January 2006 at 10:33 PM
What are Asada and Al pastor again? Those things do look yummy wish I could try some :P~
Thanks for the pics and great descriptions kirk ! I can just about picture it.
Posted by: Rachel | Sunday, 08 January 2006 at 11:24 PM
Hi Jo - We'll soon see - a Friend has told me that the best part is the "maciza", right under the rib.
Hi Clare - These little stands make the best tacos.
Hi Rachel - Carne Asada is usually marinated and grilled beef. Al Pastor is (sometimes) marinated and dry rubbed pork, grilled on a verticle spit(like gyros). It's really delici-yoso!!!
Posted by: kirk | Monday, 09 January 2006 at 08:31 AM
The al pastor does look good. Try the buche sometime. When I've had it, it has a nice light chew texture and almost a bacony taste. It is pork stomach, not tripe.
Posted by: ed | Monday, 09 January 2006 at 09:51 AM
The fruit and juice stall near the grocer is quite good as well. Agua de sandía, mmmm.
Posted by: ChrisN | Monday, 09 January 2006 at 10:46 AM
Hi Kirk!
You're teaching us so much about Mexican food! I've never even heared of tripas or buche in tacos till now. Can't wait till you post on tamales, mmm.
Posted by: Kathy | Monday, 09 January 2006 at 03:26 PM
Hi Ed - Okay i'll try some buche in the near future!
Hi Chris - Thanks for the tip. we passed the stall on our way in and out. They looked like they were closing up. A nice refreshing drink would be an excellent way to end a meal.
Hi Kathy - Actually, I'm learning as I go along. So much more then carne asada out there.
Posted by: kirk | Monday, 09 January 2006 at 03:35 PM
One reason they might not have sour cream: You won't be able to tell the difference between their droppings and the milky colored crema.
*wink*
Those Al Pastors look SPiiiiiCY!
Posted by: elmomonster | Monday, 09 January 2006 at 04:51 PM
Hi Elmo - Actually sour cream(whatever the source!) would've ruined the tacos. The Al Pastor wasn't really "hot", more of a bit spicy, but very moist!
Posted by: Kirk | Monday, 09 January 2006 at 10:39 PM
Hi Kirk,
$1.16! *sigh* I can't believe it....too good to be true!
Posted by: Reid | Tuesday, 10 January 2006 at 09:12 PM
Hi Reid - The prices are really good here!
Posted by: Kirk | Wednesday, 11 January 2006 at 07:12 AM
Hi Kirk,
thanks for the pictures. They look good. What hours do they open?
Can't wait to go.
Posted by: Didi | Tuesday, 21 March 2006 at 10:55 AM
Hi Didi - You know what? I really don't know..... but we usually will get there at like 10 am or so. If you like exploring, you'll have fun here!
Posted by: Kirk | Tuesday, 21 March 2006 at 11:02 AM
Carnitas Michoacan? Kirk, did you ever go back to that stall? I know you recommended it once on Chowhound. I'd love to hear what you thought of it.
Posted by: Joseph E | Friday, 09 June 2006 at 12:53 PM
Hi JosephE - I did once, forgot my camera, and the place was a zoo! I'll have to go back early one morning, when I can get some of the better cuts.
Posted by: Kirk | Friday, 09 June 2006 at 09:42 PM