TNT (Tortilla N Taco Factory) (El Cajon)

mmm-yoso!!!, a blog about food.  On this hot day, Kirk is staying late at work...because of the air conditioning, or is he overwhelmed with work?  I suspect it's the latter.  Cathy is writing this post. 

The Mister and I were headed to no particular destination, driving on Main Street in El Cajon, got stopped at the signal light at Mollison.  The Southwest corner had a sign "TNT".  I turned.
We parked in a semi-large parking lot, which has a liquor store, Middle Eastern bakery and a few other businesses.  It wasn't busy at the time, filled up considerably by the time we left.  
 This is the menu.  It is current.  
Three tacos, $2.60 each. The corn tortillas were pressed from fresh masa and toasted on the grill while we ordered. Words to describe: toasty corn sweet/fresh.  The best I've ever had.  Magical. 

Why is there so much fresh masa?
 Carne asada taco.  Tender, well marinated, flavorful steak.  There are beans on this-and it goes together.  The guacamole is fresh, not overly seasoned-it tastes like avocado, not lime, not garlic, not heat. I like it that way. Cilantro and onion round out all the flavors.   
 Pork adobada./al pastor. Cut from the rotisserie and grilled so each side of the seasoned pork was a bit crisp, this was a very good version. Again, the guacamole, onion and cilantro were complimentary to the meaty/mildly spicy flavors.  
The chile relleno was a wonderful version.   The young guero chili pepper, still sweet (gueros get hotter as they mature) with a light yellow color, with a perfect taco size (about 4 inches by 2.5 inches in size) was just wonderful; crisp, flavorful and filled with Oaxaca which was mild and gooey, the batter was crisp, light, not oily.  The toppings of a mild salsa roja, tomatoes, onion, cilantro and sprinkle of Cotija were just right. 

Again, each taco was $2.60.  What a nice little taco shop.  Such quality.  Why does the menu look familiar? The prices aren't; they are more than reasonable.
 We could have stopped after threee tacos-it was a nice, light meal.  But the menu...a quesadilla is $1.50.  Had to.  Fresh flour tortilla (could have had it on a corn tortilla, but, you know, for blogging purposes).  Oaxaca cheese.  Melty, crisped on the edges. Perfect.  
 Elote asado ($3.25)  We figured it would come in a cup.  We had to wait.  It was boiled first, then grilled then topped with Cotija and Tajin. Such attention to detail.  Fresh, sweet, crisp corn.  
 What the heck.  Churros are on the menu.($2,75), fried to order, rolled in cinnamon sugar and topped with either name brand chocolate or name brand caramel or both or on the side.  The toppings/dip weren't necessary; the churros are great with just the cinnamon sugar.  Probably because, you know, fresh made.  

We will return; the shrimp and fish tacos, another chile relleno...more of everything. Keep reading.

Tortilla N' Taco Factory 130 S Mollison Ave El Cajon, CA 92020 (619) 938-2211 Open daily 11 a.m.-4 p.m. website

Open daily 11-4.  Five hours.  One side of the building is blacked out; behind the open kitchen area. What happens after the restaurant closes?  If you can enlarge and look at the t-shirt in the photo below...City Tacos.  What?  

Yes, this obscure location in El Cajon is the main kitchen for all the locations of City Tacos (which, I know has a love/hate relationship for a lot of people). Once the restaurant here closes, supplies are made and sent out or readied for pick up by the three (soon to be six) locations in the County. 

Comments

[kat]

great prices and the food looked delicious!

[Sandy]

My morning yogurt suddenly looks terrible in comparison to those tacos! Interesting business arrangement with City Tacos (which I've never been to), so that would explain the El Cajon location's business hours.

[Soo]

Tacos sound tasty. I'll have to make the drive out there.

[Cathy]

The prices were the first reason we were unafraid to stop and try, Kat...but the fresh made everything will keep us going back!

I laughed about your sad yet healthy breakfast, Sandy. The menu at City Tacos is a bit more expanded, but I see no reason to go there now that I know about TNT; the base of the ingredients.

Really great, Soo. You just have to get there sometime during the five hours it's open.

[caninecologne]

The prices here are better than those hipster taco joints

[Cathy]

It's great that people don't think of anything in El Cajon as 'hipster', cc. Fewer crowds, better prices and fresh, well executed food.

[RedDevil]

Great report Cathy! Keep up the wonderful work!

[Cathy]

How nice of you, RD. Thanks!

[nhbilly]

I agree fresh tortilla is amazon, especially corn.

[nhbilly]

*amazing...

[Cathy]

So true, Bill; the corn tortilla is what got me. Good to see you back!