El Califa de León, a Mexico City taqueria, made history by being awarded the first-ever Michelin star. The taco stand is now coming to New York City for a limited time in a partnership with Tacombi. Open since 1956 and run by three generations, El Califa de León is a small restaurant that draws long lines of people eager to try their four menu options of authentic, simple tacos. The tacos consist of a slab of meat served on freshly made corn tortillas, seasoned only with salt and lime, without any additional toppings like lettuce, cheese, or sour cream.
Owner Mario Hernández Alonso hopes New Yorkers will appreciate the simplicity and meticulous preparation of his tacos, even though he will not share the exact recipe with anyone. The partnership with Tacombi has allowed the taco teams to track down the right ingredients and perfect cuts of meat for the pop-up event in New York City. Two of the recipes will also be available at all Tacombi locations in the city. The partnership aims to respect and honor the tradition of El Califa de León and Mexican taco craftsmanship, providing New Yorkers with an authentic taste of Mexico.
Foodies are buzzing about the pop-up event, with many excited to try the award-winning tacos. At a preview event, bloggers Kelsey and Baylee Soles praised the unique flavors of the tacos, particularly enjoying the homemade tortillas and the spice level of the salsa. As a first-generation Mexican, Dario Wolos hopes that the collaboration will help spread a love of Mexican culture and traditions through the universal appeal of tacos. The partnership between El Califa de León and Tacombi aims to showcase the craft and effort that goes into making authentic Mexican tacos.
The tacos offered at El Califa de León are made with simple ingredients and traditional methods, allowing the quality of the meat and flavors to shine through. The limited-time pop-up event in New York City will give locals a chance to experience these authentic tacos without having to travel to Mexico. The collaboration between El Califa de León and Tacombi represents a merging of Mexican and American culinary traditions, bringing together the best of both worlds to create a unique dining experience for food enthusiasts in the Big Apple.
The success of the Mexico City taqueria in receiving a Michelin star demonstrates the universal appeal and high quality of their tacos. By expanding to New York City, El Califa de León hopes to introduce a new audience to their traditional Mexican flavors and techniques. The partnership with Tacombi reflects a mutual respect for the craft of making tacos and a desire to share this culinary tradition with a wider audience. Overall, the collaboration between El Califa de León and Tacombi represents a celebration of Mexican culture, food, and traditions, inviting New Yorkers to experience a taste of Mexico in the heart of the city.
