Hidden Gems - Tacos al Vapor el Colimón
In the first installment of the hidden gems subsection in my food column, I grace you, dear reader, with maybe the best, definitely the most underrated tacos on the west side of our wonderful city.
The Al Pastor man at Tacos al Vapor el Colimón has the most underrated trompo skills on the westside IMO. Not only does he slice off some of the best Al Pastor I’ve had, he flicks off a bit of pineapple from the top of the trompo, then catches it perfectly on top of each taco. Honestly, writing doesn’t do it justice, it's a beautiful thing and a must-see. In fact, I think it is the most underrated street tacos on the westside, and that you better go on and get some tacos before it blows up, becoming another Brothers Cousins Tacos (BTW I've waited the 2-hour line to get my hands on their al pastor burrito- I think Al Vapor is better…do with that what you will.)
(Photo by Rex Podunovich)
A line emerging right after I left.
Tucked right next to the massive Whole Foods in Venice on Lincoln, Tacos el Colimón doesn't seem like it’s in the right place. I’ve found that most good tacos have actually been outside of a 500-ft radius of Whole Foods. Having said that, I was truly surprised when I came across this bumping taco stand that was like actual normal people food.
The thing to get at Tacos al Vapor el Colimón is of course the al pastor, which is actually sublime. The pork is perfectly spiced, juicy, slightly charred, and perfectly complemented by the fresh pineapple. After being impressed by the gigantic trompo (Mexican shawarma meat tower,) and the man who mans the trompos skills, you’ll find yourself with a plate of delicious tacos, and at a station where you can add any fixings, or salsas you want (my favorite is the avocado sauce.)
(Photo by Rex Podunovich)
A better Starbucks pink drink: neon strawberry milk.
On to the agua fresca station. Oftentimes, I get a Horchata, however, at Tacos el Colimón, everyone was getting this bright strawberry pink drink, so I partook. The drink is the perfect accompaniment to the al pastor tacos, depending on how spicy you like your salsas, as it mellows out the heat perfectly. This strawberry milk however is insanely sweet, but so delicious, creamy, and surprising, with bits of fresh strawberry pulp at the bottom, you’ll find you finished the entire 24 oz plastic goblet of it.
In summary, I would argue in fact that after many nights scouring for street tacos on the West Side, I’ve found the most underrated, and delicious tacos on the West Side for you, and they are right next to a mega Whole Foods.
October 2024
