Tacos La Cuadra, Seattle’s Al Pastor Sensation, Now Has a Restaurant

For months, Tacos La Cuadra was a sort of guerrilla pop-up, serving a few of Seattle’s finest al pastor tacos, sans allow, from tent stands in parking tons scattered all through town. Be it the O’Reily parking zone on Aurora and one hundred and fifth, the Key Financial institution parking zone throughout from the Northgate Goal, or subsequent to the Rainier Seaside Autozone, wherever the tents have been put down, the folks pulled up. Continuously adopted by hungry stans, meals influencers starved for taco content material, and King County Public Well being officers, La Cuadra was a bona fide phenomenon all through 2024. It succeeded regardless of, in line with the Seattle Instances, being shut down 5 occasions in 2024.

However now, the nomadic taco stand has put down roots. In mid March, Tacos La Cuadra immediately opened a brick and mortar location in Kent, that — outdated habits die exhausting — nonetheless must file the paperwork mandatory for a sitdown restaurant, in line with the Instances.

The homeowners haven’t completed any interviews with any of the shops which have written about them, however they appear like they’re doing wonderful. They’ve introduced a second location in north Ballard, instantly throughout the road from Un Bien within the former Maiz Taqueria house. Whether or not grilling up carne asada from an unspecified parking zone or of their new sit-down restaurant, the model maintains a seemingly indomitable spirit that’s equal elements scrumptious and intriguing.

And individuals are nonetheless certainly intrigued, judging by a lunch rush I used to be part of on a current Saturday. Right here’s the rundown of what it’s like at La Cuardra for the time being.

Charlie Lahud-Zahner

The Logistics

Tucked in a nook of an unassuming strip mall, La Cuadra is one other reminder that a lot of America’s finest meals might be discovered in the course of nowhere. When you see the evergreen painted water tower you’ve made it. Loads of parking is on the market on the strip mall and there’s just a few spots instantly behind the restaurant, which shares a constructing with a nail salon and a tiny, fantastic Mexican grocery that undoubtedly deserves a go to. Open from 3 p.m. to midnight on weekdays (closed Mondays and Wednesdays) and eight:30 a.m. to midnight on weekends, Tacos La Cuadra isn’t but as busy as its taco stands have been so that you shouldn’t have to attend lengthy, however that’s might be topic to vary with solely 36 complete seats together with bar seating. In case you converse Spanish, it’d be very useful to take action. In case you don’t, a “gracias” goes a great distance.

Charlie Lahud-Zahner

The Vibe

Having not too long ago taken over the storefront from the earlier tenants, El Maguey Barbacoa, the decor and bodily house are comparatively paired down, aside from the singular oil portray of two roosters combating over a bottle of tequila. As an alternative, what offers La Cuadra life is a various cornucopia of sounds. From the bar TV, a person from Bakersfield, California, belts out a warbly “Despacito” cowl for skeptical judges on the Spanish-language equal of America’s Received Expertise. Lunch rush clients vary from households to development staff and are all greeted with the identical warmness of youngsters being welcomed house from faculty. In case you’re seated close to the kitchen you’ll hear cumbia leaping from the again of home workers as they shave meat strips from the spinning trompo. In case you’re consuming close to the door you could be handled to something from Daft Punk to “Take On Me.” The desk chatter is multilingual and may vary from household gossip to rambling Spanglish clarification of menu gadgets. Regardless of the competing noises, the power is neither overwhelming or cacophonic.

Charlie Lahud-Zahner

The Menu

It’s a easy menu. Six gadgets with eight fillings, plus sodas and aguas frescas. In case you’re driving to Kent from Seattle for these tacos, you’re getting the al pastor that made La Cuadra well-known. So what’s al pastor? Often reddish in colour and initially impressed by (and spinoff of) doner kebab, al pastor is marinated pork roasted on a vertical spit often known as a trompo. And La Cuadra’s al pastor rocks. Thinly sliced, tender, and generously spiced, it’s simply pretty much as good because the Redditors stated and it actually does really feel like being again in Mexico Metropolis or Merida. The truth is, all of the fillings are meticulously ready and nicely portioned. The one word could be that the lengua was maybe barely overcooked. Toppings are contemporary (with surprisingly thick reduce cucumbers) and the darker coloured salsa with chipotle, chile de arbol, and guajillo achieves a really perfect mix of smoky and spicy. The asada is wealthy and satisfying and does nicely within the torta, however be warned you’re doubtless destined for a meals coma in case you decide to consuming the entire sandwich. Different menu gadgets embrace mulitas, burritos, quesadillas, and alambres. Costs might be exhausting to learn on the menu, however relaxation assured that, given their high quality, every little thing is comparatively inexpensive.

Charlie Lahud-Zahner

In case you’re not paying consideration you would possibly miss the shock sticky-note desserts caught to the again of the menu. The lemon carlota, a no-bake ice-box cake, is nostalgic with a hodgepodge of textures coming from a uniquely Mexican mixture of condensed milk and Maria’s cookies. A mango taste may be accessible.

Searching for vegetarian choices? Powerful luck. No vegetable fillings can be found, so a quesadilla with an horchata could be your finest wager.

The Verdict

When La Cuadra went viral final summer season it wasn’t due to any gimmick or superstar endorsement, it was as a result of it made rattling good meals. With an accessible and well-priced menu, evenly eye watering smoky sauces, random 2011 hit songs, and a wave of ahead momentum, if La Cuadra can overcome Public Well being and at last submit the required allow, it has the chops to determine themselves as one in all Puget Sound’s finest street-style Mexican eating places. For northerners, keep tuned for Ballard location opening date.