Chando’s Tacos – Giving Sacramento Something to Taco Bout
By Austin Mikula
For one to say that there are a lot of Mexican restaurants in Sacramento is much like saying, there’s a lot of Mexican restaurants in Mexico; it simply does not give justice to the vast abundance of taquerias and other Mexican food spots that adorn the streets like sugar skulls on The Day of the Dead. Chando’s Tacos, located directly off of Arden Way in Sacramento, is one of hundreds of taco spots all competing to be the best in city that is very familiar with great Mexican cuisine.
So how does one small taqueria manage to sail ahead of the competition in this oversaturated sea of salsa and sopes? Simply put, the food is damn good.
As guests approach Chando’s Tacos, the swirling aroma of grilled meats envelops them and tucks them into a warm bed of anticipation of the savory meal to come. The atmosphere is one of simplicity. There are no gimmicks here; no mariachi bands, no oversized margaritas. What you will find, however, is an open air venue consisting of meats being grilled street-side, picnic tables under just enough roof to keep guests out of the sun, a walk up window to order from, and on almost any given afternoon – a really long line.
This line is not one to discriminate either. Amongst the mob of hungry diners is an eclectic blend of individuals. Street kids, families, and business men dressed to the nines all gathered together for one common craving: great tacos.
The meal begins as any good Mexican meal does, with chips and guacamole. The chips are fried to a perfect golden brown and seasoned with just the right amount of salt. The serving container, a resealable brown bag, is elegant in its simplicity and serves as the perfect vessel for transporting the goods.
As one tastes the guacamole, there is a moment of confusion followed immediately by joy. It is a creamy guacamole, mixed with a tangy tomatillo salsa, which pleasantly surprises the palate. Together the saltiness of the chips and the tanginess of the guacamole dance harmoniously, leaving the mouth salivating for more.
At a place called Chando’s Tacos, the obvious standout is, of course, the tacos. All of their tacos are served with the same base ingredients: your choice of meat, fresh cilantro, delicious diced onions, creamy guacamole, and tangy salsa all nestled delicately in a double layer of hot pressed corn tortillas.
With a pretty standard lineup of ingredients, one might ask oneself, “What makes this place so great?” The answer? The meat.
Each Chando’s meat selections is seasoned to perfection and marinated in a combination of spices and juices that makes each one erupt with its own unique zest. For me, the only problem was narrowing the ample selection to just four tacos.
After much deliberation (choosing tacos is serious business) I finally decided on lengua, carnitas, chorizo, and birria.
For those who may be unfamiliar, lengua is Spanish for beef tongue. Although this may be a turn off for many, the fact is that when prepared properly, lengua is one of the most tender and succulent dishes that exists. At Chando’s Tacos they marinate this luscious delicacy, infusing the already mouth-watering meat with a perfect hint of spiciness.
The carnitas is a healthy portion of marinated pork that’s been slow cooked for hours, creating a salty and tender masterpiece. It’s then fried to a golden excellence, giving it a crispy outside with a hot tasty inside that falls apart with each delicate bite.
The Chorizo at Chando’s is done exquisitely. The spicy blend of beef and pork sausage is seasoned with a family recipe and paprika. As one takes a bite, the spicy juiciness of the meat is met by the cool creaminess of guacamole, creating a delicious whirlwind of flavor and texture.
My personal favorite of the four is The Birria. A slow cooked beef stew style meat, seasoned in a signature multi-chili pod sauce makes this savory dish melts in one’s mouth. There is no greasiness to it, only a wonderful and flavorful tenderness.
At Chando’s Tacos there really is no wrong choice. It’s the great ingredients and succulent meats that make Chando’s what it is and that’s what makes it stand out as one of the best Mexican places in Sacramento. There is a very good reason for the routinely long line and trust me, it’s well worth the wait.