Travels: Aurora, IL

THE VIEW FROM OUTSIDE

        My travels this week took me to Downtown Aurora on the corner of Benton St. and Lasalle St. where I found Taqueria Durango. Being a local I have heard of Taqueria Durango and its famous Al Pastor meat. Now Al Pastor is seen as being adopted from the shawarma spit-grilled technique that was brought to Mexico by Lebanese immigrants. The marinated pork is delicately seasoned with spices, dried chiles and pineapple and cooked slowly over a vertical rotisserie. Now since that small history lesson is over lets get to the food!
   

Al PASTOR MEAT

         I wasn't too sure to believe many of the reviews and individuals who were raving about their Al Pastor because in Aurora you have choices from over 30 Mexican Restaurants all of which who have their own distinct twist to their Al Pastor. Walking in, the smell of meat, tortillas, and grease engulfed the air that surrounded me. The establishment reminded me of a small quaint restaurant that would remind you of an old-fashioned diner. Now grant it, I came in for pick up because it was a late night and my brother and I were starving and decided to try this place out. Since I came to pick up the food I decided to try some "small" samples of the other items that were featured on the menu. One of my favorite types of meat are Tripas, or Tripe. Now they must be cooked perfectly, if you under cook it its too chewy, overcook it its too crunchy, it has too be somewhere in middle to have that perfect texture. I asked for mine semi-toasted and boy did they do a hell of a job. They packed the tortilla with a heaping amount of tripa with cilantro and onions. First bite into a juicy, semi-greasy, "flavor-punched' taco was really good.

SMALL DINER FEEL

        My temptations had to be resisted in my quest for the famous Al Pastor Cheese Fries, of which I was waiting for. Finally the order came and I had promised my brother that this time I was going to actually bring the food home as a whole and not eat it before there was none left. So I waited but the smell was hard to resist so I took a small peak. ......small peak turned into a small sample... small sample turned into a big big bite! I can only describe the taste in the simplest of words, Deliciously Meaty. There was fries on the bottom of the to go box, and heaping amounts of juicy Al Pastor meat on top, all topped off with gooey, oozing cheese. Pair it off with a New Blegium 'Fat Tire Beer, and your set.
       Now if your thinking, that sounds weird, well tough luck for you. I was introduced to the perfect fusion of two cultures American and Mexican (fries and Mexican meat). If you guys are looking for late night cravings, or just want to be daring and try something new, then look no further than Taqueria Durango of which hours are 8:00 A.M.- 11:00 P.M on Weekdays, and 8:00 A.M-3:00 A.M. on weekends.
      So pack up your bags and go out there in the world. See what adventure lies ahead for you, and on the way your going to have to eat so don't hesitate to sample everything the world has to offer. With Food and Travel Around the World this is Samuel Núñez saying adios!

ME GETTING READY TO DEVOUR THE AL PASTOR CHEESE FRIES