You've heard those arguments, right? You stop in a bar for a beer and two knuckleheads gentlemen at the bar are doing the "who is better" thing......Ryan or Koufax, Montana or Elway, Kikaida or Kamen Rider? Kikaida or Kamen Rider??? Believe it or not....two guys at my favorite watering hole "back home" almost came to blows over that one! So there I was, listening to these two guys go at each other over Al Pastor....interesting! It became a lot less interesting after I found out that they were comparing JV's and Lalo's. No offense, but there's a lot better to be had here. Still, it made for some fine entertainment and it had been a while since I'd been to either place, 8 years since JV's and a whopping 9 1/2 years since Lalo's. So why not? I started with.....
JV's Mexican Food:
I'd say this place is timeless. As in the sign has kind of faded and the prices have gone up, but the place looks basically the same as I recalled.
I've always had friendly service here and on this visit it was the same. What was different was that they have "street tacos".
Three Al Pastor Tacos go for a wallet friendly $4.50.
As before, the Al Pastor lacks that trompo crusted texture and is less sweet than I prefer....actually, it's a bit on the bland side. The tortillas are typical, not terrible, but nothing special. The salsas are decent and this all works together adequately. It's not terrible, JV's will never be the first that comes to mind, when it comes to Al Pastor.....but it's decent rather cheap easts.
JV's Mexican Food
1112 Morena Blvd
San Diego, CA 92110
Lalo's Tacos Al Pastor, Etc:
**** After many years Lalo's has closed
It literally feels like a lifetime since I've been here.
I think the guy here was having a bit of a bad day....he couldn't wait to get rid of me....
The same $4.50 got me this - two small Al Pastor tacos.
Liked the guacamole, the tortillas weren't very good. The al pastor lacked color and the texture was on the mushy side and quite bland. The salsas here are pretty good, the picante is truly spicy. Yet I can't help thinking that time hasn't been real friendly to Lalo's.
Lalo’s Tacos Etc
1266 University Ave
San Diego, CA 92103
In the end, I really can't recommend either location for Al Pastor; though perhaps JV's might be a ahead.
So what about that Kikaida versus Kamen Rider argument? I guess in this case it would be Rainbowman. So how's that for a nostalgic walk back to "small kid time"?
Given that it's in Hillcrest and not say, Barrio Logan, I think Lalo's is decent taco shop food. I prefer El Cuervo by a small margin. My current fav is Tacos Perla in North Park. Not cheap but excellent quality, esp the house made tortillas.
Thanks for the review. haven't been to Lalos in ages.
Posted by: ken | Monday, 03 August 2015 at 05:34 PM
No question, Kikaida....Jiro was a boss on his motorcycle, cool clothes and guitar strapped behind his back who transforms into Kikaida. Who wants to be a bug (kamen rider) or dirt man (rainbow man...although the fire man was pretty cool)...uh, did i just geek out and show my age?!? ;)
Posted by: Jack | Monday, 03 August 2015 at 05:54 PM
Haha a brawl over whos pastor is better!!! I love it Kirk.
Posted by: Masa Assassin | Monday, 03 August 2015 at 09:47 PM
Hi Ken - I've yet to try Perla...one of therse days. I think Lalo's price point is kind of on the high side for what you get. El Cuervo....man, I literally haven't eaten there in 10 years! I gotta get back there....
LOL Jack - You're showing your age there..... unfortunately, I'm showing mine as well!
Hey MA - How are you? It's great to hear from you and I hope all is well. It was interesting to say the least.....WWE Al Pastor style....
Posted by: Kirk | Tuesday, 04 August 2015 at 06:40 AM
Kikaida of course!
Posted by: Kyle | Tuesday, 04 August 2015 at 01:00 PM
Close second Hakaida.
Posted by: Kyle | Tuesday, 04 August 2015 at 01:03 PM
Ahh JV's. Been going there since middle school when it was still Rafa's. I dig their surf n turf and roast pork burritos. I had the al pastor once but didn't wow me either.
Never was a fan of kamen rider. Kikaida all the way!
Posted by: Junichi | Tuesday, 04 August 2015 at 02:39 PM
Martyr. :)
Posted by: janfrederick | Tuesday, 04 August 2015 at 03:43 PM
:( to junk al pastor...
Posted by: kat | Wednesday, 05 August 2015 at 12:17 AM
Lol Kyle - Seems like everyone's on the Kikaida bandwagon!
Another vote for Kikaida Junichi! We used to go to JV's when we first moved to SD and lived on Friar's Rd.
The, ummm, conversation made me curious Jan.
Yeah Kat. Nothing to write home about.
Posted by: Kirk | Wednesday, 05 August 2015 at 06:30 AM