Takos al pastor

September is the month when all of us Mexican expats start getting a bit nostalgic. We wonder where we'll be celebrating the "Independence Day, " but above all, what we miss most is the pozole, the enchiladas, and, of course, the tacos from around the corner.

After a few failed attempts to eat tacos in Madrid, I finally found the perfect place. On several occasions I found myself at restaurants called "tex mex" or claiming to serve "Mexican food" and I was shocked to find myself paying 6€ (around $110. 00 Mexican pesos) for three tacos "al pastor" that came served with onions, tomatoes and cream (yes... cream! ). I quickly realized that the concept of Taco Bell had transcended all borders and had even made its way to Madrid.

One time, some friends of mine suggested we go to this place called Takos al Pastor and we got really emotional when we finally went. This leads me to give you my first recommendation: During the weekends especially, arrive early because the tacos are so good that they run out really quickly. Hence, the first time I went to Takos, the only options available to me were mushrooms and arrachera, and even then the lineup ran into the street. Despite my disappointment with this first experience with the restaurant, it gave me the motivation to come back again.

Why did I love it?

The restaurant's design is typically Mexican, you can see the walls decorated with papier mache. The Mexican flag is spotted hanging outside the restaurant and even the little details do not get glossed over as they even serve Jamaica Water, which is so typical that you'll forget you're not in Mexico.

But really, a real Mexican place? I don't believe it! (Note the hygiene of the cooks).

Is this the real Jamaica Water?... Indeed!

The employees are Latin-Americans and many of them are actually Mexican, which may make you forget about the bad mood of the madrileños when you see the staff at this restaurant actually keep things clean and orderly.

There is also free internet (even though the day I went it wasn't really working too well)!

As of five minutes from when you order your food, the waiters serve you your food at your table, equally as quickly as its done in Mexico. The taqueros are also very rapid, and they make your food on the spot. They serve you two varieties of sauce to complement your food, although be careful because it may be spicy if you're not used to it.

The tacos are all very similar and they're delicious, the cakes and the gringas are served in large portions as well.

Of course, it wouldn't be a Mexican experience without the meal being accompanied by Mexican music, such as songs like La Malagueña, which was one of the songs that I recognized while I was there. It makes you want to dance with taco in hand!

Mi mood changed completely as I left the restaurant. As the old saying goes, "Full stomach, happy heart...!

How much does it cost? What's on the menu?

You wouldn't believe the price upon seeing the menu, even though the tacos are much more expensive than in Mexico, they're the "cheapest" you'll find in Madrid and definitely the best quality the ones that best resemble the Mexican seasoning. One taco costs you 1€, however it's a taco with onions, sauce and cilantro (though they're missing the pineapple). Even the tortilla itself is made with authentic corn.

The menu is as varied as you can find. They sell tacos de pastor, suadero, cochinita pibil, tangy chicken, nopal with cheese, potato with sausage and cheese, mushroom with cheese, all at 1€, and the arrachera taco for 1. 5€ (1€ = $18. 6 Mexican pesos).

The typical Tamarin and Jamaica water cost 1€, and it comes in a 250mL bottle, which is small but it tastes amazing.

The also sell typical beers like Corona and Dos Equis, though I don't really remember their prices. They also sell typical non-Mexican alcoholic drinks.

You can also find cakes and gringas, sold like "quesadillas. " If you want a gringa al pastor, ask for "quesadilla al pastor" (2. 5€).

You can pay with credit or debit cards if you spend more than 6€.

Where is it located?

I'm sure that after reading all of this you're just dying to run to this restaurant and devour everything on the menu! The easiest way to get there is by metro and then by walking.

Metro: Take the green line (L5) or the light blue line (L1) and get off at Gran Vía station. Once you get out of the metro, you'll see a big McDonald's and you need to walk from there down Calle Montera in the direction of the big "Sweepers" sign. On the first street you need to turn right and then keep going straight. You'll reach a small plaza, and once you cross the plaza, on the right-hand corner you'll see "Takos. "

When is it open?

One of the adjectives that describes us as Mexicans is that we are workaholics! Takos al Pastor is open every day of the year from 1:00 PM until midnight.

Recommendations?

-There are lots of people on weekends, so for that I'd recommend you go from Monday to Thursday.

-At around 10PM they start to run out of tacos, thus it's better to arrive early if you want to take advantage of their best tacos, such as the pastor, sudadero or steak.

-This is the place where you need to bring your foreign friends if you want them to taste real Mexican tacos, not Taco Bell.