Barbacoa tacos at Pistolera
Starring in this mouth-watering taco are shreds of slow-cooked beef, given bold flavour and heat from a soak in spiced tomato sauce. The salty, meltingly moist meat, whose shredded texture feels like pulled pork, is tucked into a soft flour or corn tortilla, or into a crispy fried shell. Smears of avocado cream and refried beans add depth, while a scoop of pico de gallo brightens with a burst of fresh acidity.
This tender filling is a far cry from some of the other beef options we tried around town, including the al carbon steak taco from delivery company Taco Mama’s (45RMB/two) with beef chunks so tough we literally couldn’t even pierce them by fork, or the slightly dry strips of meat in Pizza To Go’s steak-filled crispy shell tacos (18RMB/ two).
The difference here of course, is that you’re paying considerably more for your order, but the extra outlay is certainly worth it. The Pistolera order includes two tacos (with a side of rice and refried beans for an added 15RMB), but you can opt instead to try the barbacoa in combination with two other taco varieties for 75RMB, which works out to be great value for money given the quality.
Also worth sampling are the tinga tacos (55RMB), whose heavy chipotle smokiness permeates a moreish filling of shredded chicken and tender cubed potatoes.