the taqueria was simple, clean, and full of standard, restaurant-issue square tables. the menu was posted on a lightboard behind the counter with pictures and descriptions next to each item for los gringos. awesome. the cold case, free of any decoration, was stacked with mexican, cane-sugared coca-colas, flan, and energy drinks. there were four 7-eleven-style, glass-doored fridges along one wall which weren't even 1/4 full of various flavors of jarritos, beer, and other soft drinks. i could tell the food was going to be the shit.
R ordered two gigante burritos for the boys...one chicken and one beef. they were truly enormous and fed three teenage boys and two adults. from what i could tell, they were stuffed with the typical whole pinto beans, meat of choice, tomato, and some type of sauce. i think perhaps there was cheese, as well. i assumed that since there wasn't a grain of rice leftover that the burritos were satisfactory.
i tried the ceviche which was awesome. i don't know what type of white fish they used, but it was extremely tender. i thought it was better than guaymas'!! it was so perfectly salty, citrusy, and refreshing. A+
i also got a sopita with just beans, lettuce, and cotija. it was good. the sopa itself was thick, and more of a walled coaster shape than i've had before, but it was good. i must say, el asadero's veg sopitas really are the best and simplest around.
R also ordered a beef quesadilla for good measure. M said it was the shit. boy does he love enchiladas even though he never gets them because tacos are his first love.
lastly i ordered one taco al pastor and one taco de carnitas as a tasting for M. he said they were great. like great great. rivaling el asadero great! i think the house salsas played a part in his opinion, too. the salsa verde and roja were rich, flavorful, and the perfect garnish for every bite.taqueria real was, is, a little gem hidden away in a strip mall in bel marin keys. we will be back as soon as we get to novato. and M finishes his in-n-out 3x3.
