Tacos Perla

Our third stop in the Hipster Taco tour. Over the last few months, I made a couple of stops at Tacos Perla. I'm kind of late to the show here, so you may want to just check out Kirbie's or CC's posts instead. Located near the hipster ramen haven, Underbelly, Tacos Perla occupies a nice spot on the corner of 30th and Upas.

Being an old fart, I love the black and white movies projected on the rear of the small dining room.

On one of my visits they were showing Fun in Acapulco....my late Mom was a big Elvis fan, though not as big as my best friends mother who went To Elvis's Aloha from Hawaii concert in 1973. I still kid that tough talking cigarette smoking "Tita" about going all goo-goo and gaga and crying because she loved Elvis so much. Anyway, I grew up listening to Elvis, and "No Room to Rhumba in a Sports Car" was a big favorite along with Wooden Heart. Which I got to sing when I was in a oldies band waaaay back when.....waaaay back when. But that's another story.

One of the draws to Tacos Perla is the short, but quite interesting collection of salsas. It's nice that they have a pairing list as well.

On my first visit I went with three tacos that interested me. At that time it was a pretty pricy proposition, $4.95 for "non-traditional" tacos and $3.95 for "traditional" style tacos. Not a huge list of items to choose from, but that's not important if everything is well prepared and flavors to match.

As you can tell, I also added a side of Chapulines (crickets) for 75 cents. It had been a while since I'd had chapulines, which really have little flavor (when prepped well), but adds a nice crunch to things.

I really enjoy a good Al Pastor/Adobada, so I started with that.

I found the adobada to be a bit gummy and tough. So I decided to add the crickets to this. Not my favorite version of adobada as I found the flavors lacking, especially in sweet and savory tones.

The tortillas struck me as well. Liked the rather rustic homemade feel, but it was a bit too crumbly and there was a tad of sweetness that I could detect as well.

The Ocho ($4.95) was no-brainer for me since I love most edible Cephalopods.

Loved the texture of the octopus, was less enamored with the rather weak flavorings, which did just enough to mask any brininess provided by the octopus, but didn't bring much else to the table. I've had everything from sannakji to pulpo zarandeado, to wonderful versions in Greece and smoked tako back home in Hawaii. This was a bit of a disappointment in the "what could have been" kind of way.

The best of the bunch was the Del Mar (Shrimp).

The achiote based seasoning didn't interfere with the pure flavor of the shrimp. The jack cheese added just the right amount of  milkiness and salt to this for me. The recommended "pico de gallo" was a perfect match, good acid-tangy-pungent flavors that didn't mess about with this.

I did return two more times, I'll spare you the second visit, which was kind of basically the same to see if I held the same opinion, with the addition of a carne asada taco, which ended up having quite a bit more gristle that I anticipated. That Del Mar still came out on top.

I decided to drop by one more time after I heard that Tacos Perla had dropped their prices......great news since I thought almost fifteen bucks for three tacos was kind of pushing it for this type of ingredients put together in this manner, with this portion size.

So, I dropped by once again. This time things were a bit cheaper.

The Missus really enjoys the Portobello con Vegetales at City Tacos. So I thought I'd try the version here.

This left a bit to be desired in terms of flavor as it was very bland. Too many underseasoned components. The salsa, advertised as fire roasted pepper and papaya really lacked smokiness, heat, or even enough sweetness to really matter. Strange thing, the main thing I recall with this is how much I could mainly taste the tortilla.....

I tried the Carne Asada yet again. In terms of flavor it was much better; I swear, there's some soy sauce here?

It was still a bit to "gristlely" for my taste.

The surprise was the Taco de Pescado. Folks who've read this blog long enough know because of having to deal with quite a bit of mahimahi in a previous life, I'm a bit hesitant about ordering it as it attains a rather "sour" taste beyond 48 hours.

This was quite decent, perhaps edging on a bit too salty, but tempered by the mango salsa. I do prefer a more crisp batter for my fish tacos though.

So, in the end, I think the Missus is going to stick with City Tacos, though I'll keep tabs on Tacos Perla....I'm sure I'll visit again the future.

Tacos Perla
3000 Upas St
San Diego, CA 92104

 

Comments

[kat]

kinda hit or miss..

[Nhbilly]

I'm still dang at the $.

[Kirk]

Truly Kat!

Pretty pricey Billy!

[Junichi]

Looks like the flavors don't fully justify the prices.

[Jason]

Wow, 5 dollar tacos... i hope this doesn't become a trend. Glad they reduced their price.

[Kirk]

I agree Junichi.

Well Jason, I hope you haven't seen the prices at Galaxy Taco!

[soo @ hungryones.com]

That's good the prices went down. I'll have to give it a try. Those tortillas look interesting...

[Long Lost Cousin]

Hello.

A little harsh i must say.."hipster" taco scene? Woah...

Bland? Are we talking about the same place?

I know people who drive down all the way from LA just for Perla.

Not sure your taste buds are callibrated correctly.

What is your take on RakiRaki in their current incarnation?

[Kirk]

Give it a try Soo!

Well LLC - Here's the deal....I've posted on other places that do what I call "hipster tacos" but you had no problem with that.
So how about the Huffington Post: http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2014/04/15/hipster-food_n_5146632.html

I can only tell you what I taste and my opinion based on multiple visits. My posts speaks for itself. I encourage folks to give these places a try.....just in case my "tastes need calibration", though they've served me well for over a decade.
You can do a search on RakiRaki and find out what I think. Since you like to make suggestions, I have one for you...perhaps you need to get out more......

[Caninecologne]

I recently saw that they lowered their prices. It's time for a revisit. And yes,these are hipster tacos.

[Kirk]

It's a better deal now that they've dropped their prices a bit CC. Though almost 5 bucks for that Veg taco still gave me sticker shock when my taco arrived.

[jack]

Um, yes hipster tacos...I have a hard time paying close to $5 for a taco. Maybe for a one-off visit but not for a go-to place.

[Long Lost Cousin]

Hey Kirk.

I've been around the block, i assure you.

I think you try certain places with a negative mind set ahead of time and yiou look to comfirm your pre-conveived notion. Human nature.

I have sent half a dozen frinds to Perla and they were smitten. As was the Reader and City Beat.

I ask about RakiRaki because i understand they have upped their game and revised the menu a bit recently. Maybe i have it wrong.

I would also be curious as to yiur take on Grand Old BBQ.

[Kirk]

You should check them out Jack.

Well LLC - Your preconceived notions about my preconceived notions could not be further from the truth. Regardless of what I hear or read, I try to go into every meal with an open mind. I've been doing this a long time. And what's a bit different about me is, I'll make it a point to return to a place that I didn't care for the first time around. Thus three visits to Perla. The Del Mar is quite good. The rest, not so much in my opinion. I'm glad you enjoy the place so much, that you can recommend them to visitors. Me, not so much. I know that Pokirrito has opened. I'm going to wait until the crowds die down a bit. Might take a while since the owner is quite a master at creating a buzz.

[Long Lost Cousin]

Fair enough.

Point noted about multiple trips.

Yes, the owner of RakiRaki is a master of buzz, no doubt.

I fear His new venture will not fare well with you, because i think it would be a good assumption that you know your Poke.

Check out the tacos at Braccero please.

[Kirk]

Well LLC - His opinion of poke is kind of interesting.

http://www.sandiegofoodstuff.com/2016/03/junya-watanabe-adds-that-missing.html

"It's kind of boring"

Then he takes a small amount of fish and basically makes a salad. Strange times.

I really liked Bracero, but I usually don't do posts on local more upscale places like Bracero, Juniper & Ivy, etc....
The beef cheek was really good; though I've been spoiled by carrillada in Spain.

[Long Lost Cousin]

Yeh, i think it is an odd venture...not in a rush to try it..and will add more misery to an already horrendous parking situation.

Agree avout the Bracerro beef cheek. Although i am not sure why you would not blog about it, you have done other places on par...a meal at Sushi Tadokoro will cost as much or more.

I am going to try the Nobu happy hour this W/E.

[Long Lost Cousin]

Doble k:

You inspired me to hit Perla at lunch.

I inputed your data into my algorithm and the program spat the following conclusion:

"KK taste buds require recalibration, immediate attention required."

:)

[Kirk]

LLC - You inspired me to grab some great tacos for lunch.....news flash....it wasn't from Perla.

[Long Lost Cousin]

Aww..man...your loss..care to share?

..here is a tip...try the croissants from the bakery across the street..best in town...i don't usually like anything but tradditonal butter, but almond ones there are off the hook.