Birrieria Los Gueros

*** Birrieria Los Gueros has closed.

This little shop is located near the corner of El Cajon Boulevard and Winona Avenue, and is partially hidden by the bus stop near that corner. And though I've passed the place hundreds of times, I don't think I've ever seen a single person in the place. Though it just may be that the aged and smudged windows just obscure my view.

Recently, the large sign above the front of the restaurant went up, and on a recent weekend morning, stomach growling, I decided to grab a bite here.

The interior is decorated in a random fashion, from the just ever so slightly tilted bull horns(I was expecting goat horns....), to the Chargers poster, and even though the place is relatively clean, you just get the feeling that everything is covered in a layer of dust. The menu sits on the wall, with former prices taped over, and yellowing edges....there is a kind of haphazard charm to this place. Though let it be said that I've had many great meals on places like these.

As is the norm for shops like these, the prices are quite reasonable. With tacos going for $1.25, Burritos $4.00, and Menudo and Birria $5.75. After speaking to the very nice young lady I learned, no Barbacoa de Borrego(lamb), only Barbacoa de Res(beef). I decided to have a few tacos, and placed my order, 1 Taco Al Pastor, 2 Birria de Chivo. I was asked if I wanted onions and cilantro on my tacos, which was something a bit different....I'm used to getting my tacos, and adding cilantro, onions, and salsa from a bar. But here they put them on the tacos for you.

In a few minutes 3 nicely wrapped tacos arrived at my table. Along with some very, very good pickled carrots and onions, and in something else new to me.....wedges of lemon, instead of lime. I'm wondering if this is some regional preference? A bottle of nicely spiced salsa roja was also brought to the table.

The Al Pastor, was nothing special, not very tasty, and on the tough side. The corn tortillas were also mediocre....

The Birria de Chivo was very interesting.

 

You could tell the meat had been simmered for a good long time, and while it didn't look it, I found the flavor to be better than the Birria I had from Birria's Chivo and Cheves, more spice, more salt, nice fat content...but there was just one thing about the flavor that got to me. Even though there was some depth to it, there was a graininess and after taste to the birria that was much like liver...something that I'm not a big fan of. I don't know if it was just this batch of meat, or what.....

The young lady who served me was very nice. But I think I'll wait a while before returning..... Maybe someone has a recommendation for this restaurant?

Birrieria Los Gueros
4944 El Cajon Blvd
San Diego, CA 92115

Just one more thing.....

Every once in a while, I see something that just makes my day. While perusing Sarah's wonderful blog The Delicious Life, Sarah did a post to summraize items she came across during the week. Among the items (french fry coated hot dog), was a YouTube impromptu Food Court Musical:

For some reason it just made my day! Can I get a napkin please? Have you ever had the urge to just break out in song? Well....maybe not ..... Thanks Sarah!

Comments

[nhbilly]

Sound like you took one for the SD crowd. I have yet to run into a shop that sells lamb tacos but I'll make sure I try some if I do.

[Alex]

Hey Kirk, I stopped by here earlier today and went in just for a Jamaica to drink to check it out.

Regarding the lemon accoutrement: I have only been offered them once at El Parian in LA. It is probably the restaurant that ignited my love affair for Mexican cuisine. That said, I have not had a goat stew that comes anywhere near the level of this restaurant. El Parian is the quintessential Jaliscan Birreria - the food is of the state in which Guadalajara is capital so I wonder if these people are from there too.

Then again, maybe I am over thinking it and lemons were cheap this week?

Your comment about the layer of dust in there is something I have to definitely agree about.
Though the carrot escabeche looks delish!

I asked about the Pozole blanco - which I just had at Dona Maria in CV for the first time. The cashier said, "Creo que no le hacen" which I think translates to "I believe they don't make it." This strikes me as strange since you write that this place recently put up this sign.

Sorry to hear your meal was middling. If they can't do the birria well and they call themselves a Birreria - I'd have trouble returning as well.

On a related note, there is a "Dulceria" and Market on Fairmont st. just a few intersections south of University which advertises weekend only barbacoa de borrego. This may be worth checking out, but I will need to find people to help me tackle the half kilo or per pound orders.

[Trent]

The Food Court Musical was by a NYC group called Improv Everywhere that's been covered on This American Life. Their Slo-Mo Home Depot, Frozen Grand Central, No Pants 2k8, and No Shirts at Abercrombie and Fitch are also pretty good.
http://improveverywhere.com/missions/

[Stephen]

Sorry to hear the food was disappointing.
Thanks for posting that video here though, that gave me a very good laugh.
I've since the A&F video, and that was pretty funny too.

[Kirk]

Hi Billy - I've passed this place sooooo many times, that I just had to try it!

Hi Alex - That sign has only been up for a couple of months.....weird. Who knows, maybe lemons were on sale...... Oh well, maybe someone will have a better experience. You mean to tell me you can't do a half kilo of Barbacoa? ;o)

Hi Trent - They really do a nice job....

Hi Stephen - For some reason, I really enjoyed that video....I loved the reactions as well.

[Joseph E]

Kirk,

I've seen lemons at a couple places in Yuma and Phoenix. I believe they are more common than limes in some parts of Sonora. Many latinos in Arizona are Sonoran.

[Kirk]

Hi Joseph - Well, that may just be it.....