Taquería El Califa de León, a taco stand in San Rafael, Mexico City, has just received a Michelin star. It is also the first taco stand to receive such a distinction, according to CNN.
Chef Arturo Rivera Martínez, who has been with the stall for the past two decades, was given the famous white chef's coat from Michelin when he served the famous tacos.
Not known for its eye-catching space, this eatery attracts customers because the secret lies in the simplicity of its tacos. The recipe here only has tortillas, red or green sauce. And the owner emphasizes a lot on the quality of the meat, which is always Mr. Arturo's top concern.
Only 3 square meters but this taco shop attracts a lot of diners to enjoy.
The one-Michelin-starred eatery is only about 3 square meters in size but has been around for more than 50 years and is known for its Gaonera tacos, apparently named in honor of Mexican bullfighter Rodolfo Gaona.
The Michelin Guide website describes: "Taquería El Califa de León only has room for a handful of standing diners, but the creativity of the Gaonera tacos makes it special."
Here, the beef tenderloin is thinly sliced, cooked to order, expertly seasoned with just salt and a squeeze of lime. Meanwhile, a second chef prepares the tortillas to go with it. When asked what drink he would recommend to guests to pair with the tacos, Chef Rivera Martínez says, “I like Coke.”
In addition to the Gaonera tacos, customers can choose from three other meat variations, including a bistec (beef steak) filling, served on a plastic plate for about $5. With meat and tortillas this large, a homemade salad is hardly necessary.
The memorable taco
In addition to Taquería El Califa de León, the upscale Quintonil restaurant, run by chefs Jorge Vallejo and Alejandra Flores, has two Michelin stars; chef Elena Reygadas' Rosetta restaurant has one Michelin star. These are just a few establishments included in the first Michelin ranking in Mexico.
“It is a pleasure to celebrate the uniqueness of Mexico’s culinary landscape in Mexico City,” said Gwendal Poullennec, International Director of the Michelin Guide, in a statement. “This first and highly promising selection is an example of how the country showcases its regions, with their distinctive and distinguishable cultures and traditions.”
