**** Just summing up our last trip before the pandemic to CDMX.
It was quite apparent that during our visits to CDMX we hadn't addressed one important "food group"…..tacos! And so, before our trip I set about trying to create a nice "taco crawl" of sorts…which ended up stretching into two days. So here's a brief summary.
We started off at the farthest stretches from where we were staying….to an interesting (at that time) concept called El Auténtico Pato Manila.
The place was quite busy….though we were both amused and confused by the name and what was on the menu.
On one hand you had the name…"Manila"…on the other hand; you had a statue of Chairman Mao…..
And the place was known for their "pato" – duck tacos served in a flour tortilla, in place of the usual pancake….
With hoisin sauce to say the least……not quite sure…..but this really didn't hit the spot. The proteins were dry….not sure what I expected; but it wasn't this.
El Auténtico Pato Manila
Culiacan 91
06100 Ciudad de México
Next we moved up a couple of blocks and got an outside table at Taquería El Califa.
Which seemed quite popular.
This would end up being our favorite for the evening…great service and heck, they don't mess around when you order a side of avocado.
The Al Pastor was crisp and flavorful and I ordered the bistek "campechano" which came topped with chicharrons……
Our favorite place by far.
Taquería El Califa
Altata 22
06170 Ciudad de México
The next stop I picked because of it supposed "historical" significance….you see; El Tizoncito claims to have invented Tacos Al Pastor….it sure is quite busy to say the least.
We sat next to an amazing young man (like 6 years old) and his dad…..the kid was game for anything and I admired him….for he was from the Midwest US but was just willing to try it all!
The Al Pastor was disappointing though; tough and lacking in caramelization and quite bland overall.
El Tizoncito 
Tamaulipas 122
06140 Ciudad de México
Our last stop was one that I'd read much about, Taqueria el Greco…..which served what they call "Arab-style" tacos. It's quite popular as you can see in the photos, though we did fins a table inside the small restaurant.
The Missus went with a typical taco of grilled steak…i.e. carne asada; while I went with a "Doneraky" (spit roasted) style taco in Arabian Bread (sort of like a pita).
The Missus's taco fared better than mine; which I thought was quite bland, overshadowed by the cheese and avocado.
Taqueria El Greco
Michoacán 54
06100 Ciudad de México
From here we headed back to our hotel and called it a night.
The next morning we headed out to stretch our legs…coming across a "bike day" on Avenida Mazatlan.
After taking care of a couple of things; we headed off to a taco shop a couple of blocks from where we were staying……Tacos Don Juan
We had passed this place during one of our walks in the area and I wanted to check them out.
Both the Arrachera-Tocino and the Chuleta Ahumada were quite good. Very solid, delicious tacos.
A solid no frills neighborhood spot – we'll be back.
Tacos Don Juan
Calle Juan Escutia 35
06140 Ciudad de México
From here we walked on over to Parque Mexico….it's always a fun walk and on this day they had a dog adoption program going on.
After which we stopped at Volador Café for a caffeine fix.
They sure love their pooches in CDMX.
Volador Café
Amsterdam 135
06100 Ciudad de México
As I often have said; there's something about his area in CDMX that reminds me of Europe.
When dinner time arrived; I had yet another taco shop in mind….but first we returned to a place close by; Temporal, for a Suerte de Dragon (Lucky Dragon) and some Gulf Crab Sopes…..just so we'd have enough energy to make it to dinner…right?
Restaurante Temporal
Saltillo 1
06140 Ciudad de México
It was a bit of a walk to to El Farolito, which I had seen the night before.
The place seemed quite popular with the locals…..
Maybe because the Al Pastor is roasting right in the dining area?
We sat at the counter and had some cerveza and al pastor and buche tacos……which were quite good.,
El Farolito
Altata 19
06100 Ciudad de México
Funny thing is…..El Califa is right across the street….hmmm….maybe next time….
And then we had a nice stroll back to our room….we had an early flight the next day. We thought we'd be back to CDMX in no time at all and then the pandemic hit…..so, until we're back again!
Thanks for hanging in there for this rather onerous post!