A blanket of warm air wafted over me the moment I stepped into Denton’s Taqueria Guanajuato. The heavenly aroma of 10 warm cuts of meat sitting on a skillet quickly enveloped me as the door closed behind me.
This small taqueria offers the basics: carne asada, lengua, barbacoa, chicken, campechanos, chicharron, al pastor and beef fajita. It also has a few choices that I’m not used to seeing as the main course on tacos: chorizo and nopales.
One of Taqueria Guanajuato’s big advantages is that it offers tacos in both small and large tortillas. Obviously the larger tortillas cost a few cents more, but you get a more filling meal. The small tortilla option allows for variety in taste.
I admit I was eating on a bit of a tight budget, but I think I made the right call with the tacos I ordered.
The carne asada comes finely chopped and well seasoned. There isn’t a hint of saltiness in this cut or any of the others I tried, for that matter. The most distinguishable and enjoyable trait of the asada was its crispiness. The folks behind the counter know how to overcook the asada and not allow it to lose its taste in the process.
The al pastor, my usual favorite, was tender and juicy. The red coloring of the meat calls they eye’s attention and delivers a tasty punch. A few thin strips of caramelized onion cooked in with the al pastor give the taco a hint of sweetness.
When I ordered the chorizo taco, I figured it would come in one of two ways: small chunks of chorizo swimming in grease or large meaty chunks worthy of their own taco. Fortunately, I got the latter. When I took a bite of the chorizo, I thought “Chorizo taco, where have you been all my life?” There were no chewy chunks of fat, only crispy pork. If you’re a chorizo fan but have always been limited to enjoying it with scrambled eggs or potatoes, this is the taco for you.
Eating at Taqueria Guanajuato can be a bit uncomfortable because it is a very cramped space, but customers do have the carry out option. Dining in, however, does have the advantage of enjoying a lively atmosphere and an authentic Mexican experience.
Taqueria Guanajuato
1017 E. McKinney
Denton, TX
940-483-1598
