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Taquerí El Califa de León, a taco stand located in San Rafael, Mexico City, has just received a Michelin star. It is also the first taco stand to receive this honor, according to CNN.
Chef Arturo Rivera Martínez, who has been associated with the stall for the past two decades, was presented with the famous white chef's jacket by Michelin while serving the famous tacos.
Not known for its flashy ambiance, this eatery attracts diners with its secret: the simplicity of its tacos. The recipe consists only of tortillas and either red or green sauce. And the owner places great emphasis on the quality of the meat, something Arturo always prioritizes.
Despite its small size of only 3 square meters, this taco shop attracts a large number of customers.
This Michelin-starred eatery, though only about 3 square meters in size, has been around for over 50 years and is known for its Gaonera tacos, seemingly named in honor of the Mexican bullfighter Rodolfo Gaona.
The Michelin Guide website describes it as follows: "Taqueía El Califa de León only has room for a handful of diners standing at the counter, but the creative Gaonera tacos make it truly special."
Here, the beef tenderloin is thinly sliced and cooked to order using a professional recipe, with only salt and a squeeze of lemon added. Meanwhile, a second chef prepares the tortillas to accompany the taco. When asked what drink he would recommend to diners to pair with the taco, chef Rivera Martínez said, "I like to go with Coke."
Besides the Gaonera tacos, customers can choose from three other meat variations, including the bistec (beef steak) filling, served on a plastic plate for about $5. With meat and tortillas this large, homemade salads are practically unnecessary.
The taco dish evokes fond memories.
Besides Taquería El Califa de León, the upscale Quintonil restaurant, run by chefs Jorge Vallejo and Alejandra Flores, was awarded two Michelin stars; and the Rosetta restaurant, run by chef Elena Reygadas, received one Michelin star. These are among the few establishments included in Mexico's first Michelin ranking.
Gwendal Poullennec, International Director of the Michelin Guide, said in a statement: “It is a delight to celebrate the uniqueness of the Mexican culinary landscape in Mexico City.” The first and very promising selection is an illustration of how the country showcases its regions, with their distinct and easily distinguishable cultures and traditions.
