El Camino Real — Restaurant in Kansas City

Taste, cleanliness, and demeanor. I don't know how this place has received such good reviews?

Taste. Had one each carne asada, carnitas, and pastor taco. The carne asada was bland, zero flavor at all. Carnitas was not traditional at all. Carnitas is supposed to be braised and served pulled part and juicy. They chop bits of pork and heat it up on the skillet, again with little flavor. Pastor was prepared well. The tortillas while hand made, were dry. How can they be dry. Horchata was not sweet. Salsa was not spicy. Cilantro and onions looked wilted. I get it, I'm not at a high end place, but a little care for the food would be great.

Cleanliness. I came in and the cook was butchering pork right behind the skillet. I sat at a nearby table and watched this guy cut and handle raw pork and then prepare my tacos. No hand washing, wiping off on towel or anything.... I am prepared for food poisoning.

Demeanor. You know if you don't know Spanish and you visit this place... If you feel like they are speaking negatively about people, they probably are. I witnessed first hand a male come in (some type of mental disability) with a $5 dollar bill out asking for singles cause of the bus. They laughed and told him no and then talked about him afterwards. I get it I was only there a half hour and the bus stop next door might invite a wide range of people. But still, a little...

Dos fechas en la misma semana, tacos al Pastor totalmente distintos

Septiembre 4, 2024. 5:00 pm aprox. Decidí entrar al restaurante por que vi el trompo a través de la ventana mientras estaba en el semáforo de la calle 7, (primera vez que veo un trompo más allá de los estados de la frontera con México). Ordené tacos de pastor y asada, me sorprendió la cantidad de carne y sabor del taco al Pastor, el cual estaba muy bueno, preparado directamente del trompo a la tortilla con todo y piña, estaba tan buenos que decidí pedir más para llevar, ya que fácilmente con las dos tortilla de cada taco, podías preparar dos tacos. Simplemente deliciosos y bien servidos.

Septiembre 6, 9:00 pm. La tradición es de viernes de “garnacha” y decidí ir de nuevo al lugar. Sorpresa, El trompo estaba apagado, la carne la cortaban cruda y la ponían en la parrilla, al momento de recibir la orden, el taco no llenaba ni una tortilla, aún escurría la grasa y simplemente no sabían igual.

Los tacos al Pastor obtienen su autentico sabor por el adobo y por que se va cocinando lentamente en el trompo, a la plancha pierden su encanto.

Sugerencia a los futuros comensales: si el trompo está prendido y de allí directo a la tortilla preparan el taco, son una garantía en ese lugar, de lo contrario, podría decirse que es casi lo mismo que en cualquier otra Taquería.

Le doy 3 estrellas por que simplemente me decepcionaron muy rápido en tan poco tiempo.

Saludos y buen provecho.

Two dates in the same week, totally different tacos al Pastor

September 4, 2024. 5:00 pm approx. I decided to enter the restaurant because I saw the “trompo” through the window while I was at the traffic light on 7th street, (first time I saw a trompo beyond the Mexican border states). I ordered pastor and asada tacos, I was surprised by the amount of meat and flavor of the taco al Pastor, which was very good, prepared directly from the trompo to the tortilla with everything and pineapple, it was so good that I decided to order more to go, since easily with the two tortillas of each taco, you could prepare two tacos. Simply delicious and well served.

September 6, 9:00 pm. My tradition is "garnacha" Friday and I decided to go to the place again. Surprise, the “trompo” was off, the meat was cut raw and put on the grill, by the time I received the order, the taco didn't even fill a tortilla, the fat was still dripping and they just didn't taste the same.

Tacos al Pastor get their authentic flavor from the marinade and from the fact that they cook slowly on the “trompo”, they lose their charm when grilled.

Suggestion to future diners: if the “trompo” is on and from there directly to the tortilla they prepare the taco, they are a guarantee in that place, otherwise, you could say that it is almost the same taco al pastor as in any other Taqueria.

I give it 3 stars because they simply let me down very quickly in such a short time.

Greetings and...

Sunday night around 9 pm i went to eat with my friend . He ordered a torta with no cheese because he is allergic to cheese. The waitress comes back with our food and the torta ends up having so much cheese . We politely asked if we could get another torta with no cheese but the owner refuses. Not only does he refuse but he starts going off saying that that he will no longer make anything to eat for us with the worst attitude. We're trying to explain to him why we can't have the torta with cheese and that we will pay for the food no problem and he say's that he's the owner and the kitchen is closed. Asking us to leave . The waitresses super embarrassed over the whole situation apologizing for his behaviour . (She was the nicest person) We are not seeking anything from anyone we just don't think that is customer service of any kind. We were just trying to have a good meal and ended up with a stomach full of anger. One worst experience...