Tierra Caliente

Shady-looking taco place in the back of a grocery store? Sign me up!

These guys have the best al pastor tacos I've ever had (and that includes many years living in Texas). Just get two tacos with everything (everything = onions and cilantro) and you're set.

The tacos are HEAPING with meat. You get limes, two table salsas, and there's a basket of grilled and salted jalapenos to go with the tacos. All together, it's pure heaven.

I've had the carne asada (over done), lengua (kinda gross), chicharron (totally gross), carnitas (too greasy), campechano (divine), and chorizo (heart-attack on a tortilla) but I keep coming back to the al pastor. Depending on when you go, you might get it off the spit, or finished on the griddletop, but either way is amazing. I've also had the tortas and burritos, but the tacos are where it's at.

Get the horchata or orange Jarritos to go with your tacos!

If you're looking for ambiance, the crowded counter, the rickety tables, and the limited English-speaking should quickly disabuse you of that. This place is all about the food, and they don't care about anything else. And the food is really really good.

There's Guanajato's a block up Ashland, and three La Pasadita locations a couple of blocks south. None of them hold a candle to Tierra Caliente. Best pastor tacos in town!

In search for the best al pastor tacos in Chicago, I ventured to Tierra Caliente. Don't let the bars on the windows, the random sketchy people walking by, or the fact that this place is in the back of a grocery/convenience store - they all add to the experience.

Tierra Caliente has al pastor on the spit and you can taste the difference. Their tacos are fully loaded with juicy al pastor meat. What was missing was the pineapple and space - literally. There are a couple of seats and stools and the cook uses a grill that's probably 2x2.

For al pastor fans, Tierra Caliente is worth trying if you are in the area.

If you're coming here, expect just great food and not much more. The food is amazing (they sell horchata!), but there isn't much room to sit down. I took my food to go since I live a block away.

Also, this place DOES take credit cards! If you pay with cash, you pay at the counter they serve the food at. If you pay with a card, you pay at the front where you would pay for groceries.