Breakfast at Talavera Azul

The Missus is a big fan of Menudo Rojo; basically red menudo. Unfortunately, She hasn't found very many versions She likes in San Diego. If I mentioned a place; I have to go check it out first, then report back to Her. She was mentioning this to a colleague, who recommended a place in Downtown Chula Vista named Talavera Azul....this coworker also said the place had been featured on Food Network......that recommendation gave me pause....well, because I think some of the personalities have somewhat dubious taste. Anyway, I wasn't who I thought it was and heck, I did recall that "CC" had been there a few years ago. Plus, you know that I don't mind driving like 20 miles plus for breakfast on the weekends. The place was actually closer than Aqui Es Texcoco.

Both times we visited were just around 8 in the morning. And each time the place was almost full. On both occasions there was just one server working initially, with several others coming in over the next 20-30 minutes.

There was a wait on both visits, but it wasn't anything overly long.....

The Missus just wanted one thing.....

Which She got both times. On the first visit it was fantastic; just a tad of spice, mild offal flavor, the honeycomb tripe was crunchy but not hard. You knew there was tripe in this, but it wasn't super funky. The soup was steaming hot and the flavors melded together well, with some onions, a good amount of cilantro, a dash of oregano, and a squeeze of lime....it was quite good.

On the second visit, the broth wasn't as hot or rich, it lacked any chili flavor, though it was still decent. I'm hoping visit #1 is the norm. I'm sure we'll be back again soon.

Meanwhile, it seems that folks online rave about the chilaquiles. So on our first visit I got the Chilaquiles "Divorciados", that would be, with two different sauces; the mole and the green salsa.

They really do fry up those tortillas here....it was the texture of chips. The beans were really bland...…. The breakfast potatoes could have used a bit more time griddled, with more color and a slight crispness to them.

The mole was too runny and overly sweet for my taste, the green salsa, which I believe is made with tomatillos was wonderful; just enough heat, tangy, really good.

Of course this was crowned off with a perfect easy over egg.

For the second visit...well, I wanted to try something else and went with the Nopales and Eggs.

Now this was much better. Especially the beans, which were perfectly seasoned....enough salt, a touch of heat....both creamy and rustic, very nice.

I love the texture of nopales and this was done well, the nopales were tender without being too mushy. There are some chilies in this.....green, so it seems like you're eating nopales...it was a nice surprise. The eggs were done decently....perhaps a bit on the dry side. And while I think it could have used tomatoes, this was perfectly fine with me.

Of course I had to have my Café de Olla....and I gotta say, it was quite consistent on both visits. Not overly sweetened, just enough of a cinnamon flavor....this might be my current favorite version of this coffee drink.

Based on that first visit, I'm guessing we'll be back for the Missus's Menudo fix.

Also, I noticed signs with "El Zarape" on it. It seems that these folks have bought the El Zarape on Adams Avenue. Also, of note; metered parking is free before 9am and the Menudo Rojo is only available on weekends.

Talavera Azul
365 3rd Ave
Chula Vista, CA 91910
Hours:
Mon - Sat 730am - 2pm
Sunday    8am - 2pm 

Comments

[Alan]

Hi Kirk: I too love red menudo. In fact I eat it almost every weekend. Here is AZ, there is a grocery store chain that caters to the Hispanic population. It's called Food City and they have a food court/deli space in most of their stores. On weekends, they always have menudo and pozole for only $6.50 for a big bowl (looks like the size you showed in your pics). In 90+% of the times, the menudo is good but the taste varies greatly, depending upon who is assigned to make it that day. They make vats of this stuff daily; I would guess at least 60 gallons each day and that also must affect the taste. But even with the wide variation in taste and seasoning, it is still pretty darn good and a great price!

[Kirk]

Man, that sounds like a bargain Alan! 60 gallons....that's a lot of menudo.....

[Alan]

Yeah; they make it a big, rectangular, stainless steel cooking vessel that is gas fueled. That thing looks like those kind of commercial cement troughs that masons use to mix cement.

[caninecologne]

Great meals that you had. I need to go here again. It's been awhile! The CV Museum across the street was damaged and is now gone, which is a bummer.

[Kirk]

That would be something to see Alan.

The Missus loves the menudo CC.

[kat]

glad she found a version she likes, hope they maintain visit #1 version

[Kirk]

I do too Kat!