Tacos el Gordo – Las Vegas, USA

A handful of Mexico at Tacos el Gordo.

A couple of years ago I stumbled upon this little restaurant the morning after a frenzied Vegas night. Head pounding and craving some good grub I passed by el Gordo on South Vegas Boulevard (it’s since moved, see below). The interior must have been designed by a blind person or the same guy who designed In&Out Burger. The decor basically says: Come in, eat and leave.

I can however overlook any failing in interior craftsmanship as long as the food is delicious. Therefore I gave this place a chance and was pleasantly surprised – so much that I came back every day and sampled my way through the entire taco menu.

The menu lists quesadillas, tostadas and other stuff but that’s not what people go there for. It’s all about the Tacos: taco de asada (steak), adobada (spicy pork), tripa (tripe) and a host of others. The tacos are small (around 3 to 4 inches in diameter) just the way it is supposed to be, with a heaping spoonful of meat, cilantro and other spices tucked inside served with lime and radishes. My favorites were buche (pork stomach) and suadero (brisket).

The staff is friendly and scoot around the clean, no-frills establishment efficiently. This is not a place to go for a romantic dinner but if you want classic Mexican food in Vegas which is hard enough to find this will be your heaven.

They reopened on Losee Road in North Vegas. Please note that Google Maps still lists the South Vegas Boulevard location!

They also do have two more locations in Chula Vista, San Diego. I don’t think that makes it qualify as a “fast food chain”, which other reviewers wrongfully state. Just because you get your food fast doesn’t make it “fast food”.

Verdict: Authentic delicious Mexican food for next to nothing. Do you need more reasons to go. Hurry!