El Compita
My girl friend and I were talking the other day, and she had asked if I had ever had a Pambazo. She is from Mexico City, where these Guajillo sauce dipped sandwiches are an iconic street food. Until now, the only sauce covered sandwich I had experienced, was a Torta Ahogada. Within minutes, she was sending me an address of a little eatery in Logan Heights, known as Tacos El Compita. The owners of the shop hail from the state of Hidalgo, Mexico, and established Tacos El Compita in 2009. It all began as a small taco stand on Imperial, and shortly thereafter moved to its current location.
With Pambazos, and other menu items on our mind (from further research of course, we had to get there for a weeknight dinner. As soon as we pulled up to the restaurant, a white board with what seems like hundreds of options was displayed, as well as the words on the building: Borrego, Birria, and Menudo. Hello, where have you been all my life?
We tucked into the covered dining area, to get out of the rain, and take a closer look at the menu. They are open for breakfast, lunch, and dinner, and while the Chilaquiles were screaming my name, I had to focus and remember why we were here. We went ahead and ordered our Pambazo, as well as tacos dorados en consomé, Huaraches, and Picaditas. We could not help ourselves, with those options on the menu as well. All of the tortillas are made by hand, and yes, the food does take a bit once you have ordered. There is absolutely nothing wrong with that though, you know that the food is fresh and being prepared to order. Out came the picaditas, and Huaraches. We all had our forks and knives, in position and ready to roll. Did I mention their incredibly fresh salsas? Oh yes, I absolutely was hoping that I had a mason jar somewhere in my purse to take the rest of the salsa verde home with me. The Picaditas, are masa rounds topped with beans and cheese. I am huge on beans, and even more so when they taste home made. Well these my friends, are absolutely delicious.
The Huaraches had those same beans inside of the masa, and is then topped with carne asada, nopales, lettuce, and crema. This was yet another item that I would love to order again. I would have eaten just a bit more, if the pambazo wasn't on its way to the table. Hola Pambazo, so nice to finally meet you. The white bread is dipped in Guajillo sauce, but just enough to coat the outside. The two pieces of bread are then filled with chorizo, potatoes, lettuce, and tomato. I was awfully silent while enjoying my half of the sandwich. Wait what? We still had the crunchy chicken tacos in broth waiting to be devoured. Devoured is right. The consomé adds a whole different level of comfort, to these little tacos.
If you couldn't tell, I loved everything that I tried at Tacos El Compita. Don't worry chilaquiles, you will have your chance to impress me as well. How does Sunday morning sound to you? It is always so rewarding to find these little gems here in San Diego.
El Compita 2172 Ocean View Blvd San Diego, CA 92113 (619) 696-1299