Mariela’s Tacos #2 would probably receive a 5.0 Jarritos rating if: (1) the tacos didn’t take so long to prepare, (2) they had a self-serving salsa bar, and (3) the place wasn’t filled with Mexican people who looked like they were two seconds away from beating the shit out of me.
When you walk into Mariela’s, the first thing you’ll notice is that there’s just a lot of stuff in the place. Need some cash on the spot? Not to worry, there’s an ATM machine present. Have some extra quarters and some kids who want small toys? Rest assured, there’s a toy vending machine. Feel like playing “Crazy Catch” for the chance at winning stuffed animals? Look no further.
On a completely unrelated note, I just used the words “ATM machine” even though the “M” in “ATM” stands for “machine.” Therefore, I just called it an Automated Teller Machine machine. I know it’s wrong and yet I’ll still continue to use the phrase “ATM machine.” It’s kind of like using the phrase “I’m gonna go get the papers, get the papers.”
The second thing you’ll notice when you walk into Mariela’s is that they really like Jesus. Like, a lot. There are signs everywhere reminding you that “JESUS IS GOD READ THE BIBLE.”
The third thing you’ll notice is that Mariela’s is filled with Mexican people who look like they spent the last 20 hours doing hard labor and would like nothing more than to pummel your face in.
Hey, maybe it’s just me. Maybe it’s just the two nights I ate tacos there. Nobody actually even came within 10 feet of me. In fact, nobody said anything to me. But they all just had this look like I interrupted their peaceful world. It was as if they were guardians of a sacred oasis in the desert and I just strolled out of nowhere to order a gin and tonic.
Maybe it didn’t help that the television inside Mariela’s was blasting some Mexican soap opera at full volume.
Maybe it didn’t help that the television inside Mariela’s was blasting some Mexican soap opera at full volume.
[In case you needed a visual explanation of that last sentence]
Regardless, I had a job to do so I ordered my four tacos, two asada and two al pastor.
Want to know how I could tell the tacos at Mariela’s were going to be better than average? The repetitive sound of a cleaver striking a wood cutting board. Generally, taco places will grill their meat whole, chop it up, then store it in a heated container. That way, when the customer orders the tacos, they simple grill up the tortillas, throw on the already chopped meat and fixings, and voila. Mariela’s is like the Jack in the Box of taco shops, minus the speedy “fast-foodness.” At Mariela’s your food is not made until you order it. Therefore, the meat gets thrown on the grill, then gets chopped into pieces courtesy of the cleaver, the fixings (cilantro, diced onions and salsa roja/verde) are thrown on top and the taco is done.
Unfortunately, for whatever reason, this process takes A LOT longer than it should. Both times I visited Mariela’s, my four tacos took over ten minutes to arrive. The place had some customers ahead of me, but was by no means packed. As you all know from my Kogi BBQ Taco Truck review, the food better be delicious if I’m going to be subjected to a long wait.
Aha, you say – the cook must wait for your order and then he/she grills the meat which is why it takes so long! Wrong. We’re not talking about an inch-thick porterhouse. We’re talking about thin slices of asada that take no more than 45 seconds to grill. We’re talking about 10-15 strikes of the cleaver to chop that up. I think the real problem is that they go in order of first come, first served – regardless if the person ahead of you ordered a five-course meal.
And yet, despite the acrimonious vibe from the locals and the long wait (and the lack of a salsa bar), the tacos were unquestionably fantastic. The carne asada is only slightly above average, but the al pastor is something special. Although it’s not quite as good as the al pastor from La Taquiza, it’s different and good in its own way. Instead of giving off the essence of possessing that “grilled” flavor, the al pastor at Mariela’s tastes like it was marinated heavily and then slowly cooked over a small flame. It tastes more akin to pulled pork than “rotisserated” pork, if that makes any sense (the concept, not the spelling). Topped with the diced onions, cilantro and the salsa roja, the al pastor tacos at Mariela’s are top-notch.
Regardless, I had a job to do so I ordered my four tacos, two asada and two al pastor.
Want to know how I could tell the tacos at Mariela’s were going to be better than average? The repetitive sound of a cleaver striking a wood cutting board. Generally, taco places will grill their meat whole, chop it up, then store it in a heated container. That way, when the customer orders the tacos, they simple grill up the tortillas, throw on the already chopped meat and fixings, and voila. Mariela’s is like the Jack in the Box of taco shops, minus the speedy “fast-foodness.” At Mariela’s your food is not made until you order it. Therefore, the meat gets thrown on the grill, then gets chopped into pieces courtesy of the cleaver, the fixings (cilantro, diced onions and salsa roja/verde) are thrown on top and the taco is done.
Unfortunately, for whatever reason, this process takes A LOT longer than it should. Both times I visited Mariela’s, my four tacos took over ten minutes to arrive. The place had some customers ahead of me, but was by no means packed. As you all know from my Kogi BBQ Taco Truck review, the food better be delicious if I’m going to be subjected to a long wait.
Aha, you say – the cook must wait for your order and then he/she grills the meat which is why it takes so long! Wrong. We’re not talking about an inch-thick porterhouse. We’re talking about thin slices of asada that take no more than 45 seconds to grill. We’re talking about 10-15 strikes of the cleaver to chop that up. I think the real problem is that they go in order of first come, first served – regardless if the person ahead of you ordered a five-course meal.
And yet, despite the acrimonious vibe from the locals and the long wait (and the lack of a salsa bar), the tacos were unquestionably fantastic. The carne asada is only slightly above average, but the al pastor is something special. Although it’s not quite as good as the al pastor from La Taquiza, it’s different and good in its own way. Instead of giving off the essence of possessing that “grilled” flavor, the al pastor at Mariela’s tastes like it was marinated heavily and then slowly cooked over a small flame. It tastes more akin to pulled pork than “rotisserated” pork, if that makes any sense (the concept, not the spelling). Topped with the diced onions, cilantro and the salsa roja, the al pastor tacos at Mariela’s are top-notch.
Do I highly recommend the tacos? As long as you don’t mind the wait, absolutely. But to tell you the truth, I had the chance to get tacos at Mariela’s tonight, but passed for another taco place [review coming soon] simply because I didn’t want to take the chance and wait another 10-15 minutes before getting my four tacos.
Mariela’s Tacos #2
Address: 2501 W. Sunset Blvd., Los Angeles, CA 90026
Google Maps: Link
Much love till my next post.
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