PLEASANT HILL, CALIFORNIA – When it comes to Mexican food, I am not a fancy guy. My idea of venturing south of the border does not entail ordering a #3 combination plate with a beef burrito, cheese enchilada, and chicken taco, with a smidgen of guacamole topping a soggy salad.
My taste profile prefers street food one might find at Rosarito Beach in Baja. Grilled steak, served on a homemade tortilla with freshly made salsa, is my definition of culinary euphoria. The best of this style of food in the Bay Area can be found at La Taqueria in San Francisco’s Mission District.
Where I reside on the Hwy 242 corridor, we are fortunate to have well over 50 restaurants on our Taco Trail. They offer a diversity of fare and decent value for residents who prefer a quick meal rather than a white-tablecloth experience.
Naturally, over the years, I have developed my own favorites in this large grouping of eateries. Thus far, my addiction qualifies for treatment in a 12-step taco program. My favorite place to partake in this genre is Tacos El Patron. Hidden behind a carwash at 2290 Monument Blvd in Pleasant Hill, this restaurant is almost always packed.
What makes El Patron so popular? Every item served by owners Alberto and Mariana Pineda is special. Having started the restaurant in 2018 and a branch in San Francisco a year later, they endeavor to make every dish fresh and unique.
Things start with their slow-roasted birria beef stew. The rich seasonings are captured in a consommé, which is served on the side. This au jus soaking a taco puts any French dip sandwich I have ever tried to shame.
El Patron is highlighted by house-made guacamole, grilled shrimp, and Mexican cheese. The final product, with salsa made fresh each day, completes this masterpiece. I prefer the milder avocado hot sauce, but others favor the spicier green and red versions.
Alberto, who previously worked in restaurants in Mexico and at Danville’s Piatti, brought his experience growing up in Baja to the tacos de pescado. Battered swai fish, served with cabbage, pico de gallo, and homemade chipotle salsa, provides a melt-in-your-mouth experience.
Also noteworthy are the pork belly and chile verde tacos, which are also served as a tostada. Much like birria, slow cooking and exotic spices contribute to a tasty dining experience. El Patron’s meats are available as street tacos and burritos…