Most of the time, a majority of the reviews are picked at random or what’s new around town. There are times though, we go by emails and comments from readers which are always helpful. This review happens to be one of those cases.
One of the more popular suggestions we have received is now the subject of our latest review: Taqueria El Fogon.
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1555 S Bluffview Dr
Wichita, KS 67218
316-681-0969
Closed Monday
Tuesday – Sunday: 11:30am – 10pm
Cash Only
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Welcome to Taqueria El Fogon, home to the should be famous al pastor rotating spit.
You can watch them carve the meat that will eventually end up in the food you order. Their rotating spit is the first thing that will catch your eye as you enter the building. It’s a mountain of pork cooked similarly to lamb at Mediterranean restaurants.
Finding the place should be hard even though it’s tucked away on a side street off of Harry between Oliver and Hillside. Their sign is from “Rent a Wreck” who used to be in that location. My mom always told me, “Don’t forget your roots”. It looks as though Taqueria El Fogon didn’t either in keeping the old sign and just pasting their name below it. I call it character.
Once you step inside, you seat yourself and a waitress will come to take your order.
My friend and I ordered a few tacos and the one menu item that every review seems to rave about: the Torta Hawaiiana. We will get back to that soon enough.
Once you are at your table, you’ll find two bottles of salsa and the server will bring you out something that may surprise you. It’s not chips………
It’s definitely a healthy alternative. I found myself hogging most of the cucumbers to the dismay of my friend. Much of the blame is on my disdain for radishes.
As for the salsa, the red offers a spicier bite while the green has more of an acidic flavor to it.
Now for the food….
We ordered quite a few tacos and above you’ll see a sampling of the tripas, al pastor, and carnitas. As mentioned in other blogs, you can tell a good taco when it doesn’t need to be drenched in salsa. Such is the case here; Taqueria El Fogon is a true winner when it comes to simple quality tacos without the need for condiments.
Which meat was our favorite? For those of you who have been here, odds are good that you will agree the al pastor tacos are culinary works of magic. People should expect nothing less from a place with a huge rotating spit of al pastor as the main display in a restaurant. The meat in the taco is thinly cut, extremely tender, and seasoned with red chiles and pineapples. My friend said it was probably the best taco she has ever had.
Just when we thought lunch couldn’t be any better, the Torta Hawaiiana took Taqueria El Fogon to new heights even Aladdin and his magic carpet couldn’t reach. First off the texture of the bread was perfection, not too soft, not too hard. Stuffed between the perfection was al pastor, ham, cheese, avocado, cheese, big slices of pineapple and possibly Tinkerbell’s magical fairy dust. At $5.75, I’m not sure if I could buy a sandwich of equal price at another restaurant and felt equally as satisfied. There were so many flavors going on inside the Torta Hawaiiana; it was a true roller coaster of delectable proportions. The portion size was spot on for my friend and I to split.
We weren’t sure what we liked more; the tacos or the tortas. We didn’t have room in our stomachs for the gringa which I was told was something worth trying. I’ll have to go back for that one SOON!
Add this restaurant to your list of favorites; not because I told you so but because it just is. When it comes to best tacos in town, Taqueria El Fogon has to be in the discussion.
Happy Dining,
Eddy
To nominate your restaurant or event to be considered for a review, please email us with your restaurant information. We are always open to suggestions.
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The building started as a Taco Tico in the 80s.
The radishes and cucumber usually go on top of the tacos not to eat as a side.
We lived in southern mexico for a year and really missed the amazing al pastor from there until we visited taqueria el fogon. This food is simply the best and most authentic al pastor that we have had since arriving back home in Wichita. It is a must have!