For those with a discerning palate and a penchant for Mexican cuisine, the famed taquería El Califa de León is popping up in Glendale at the Westgate Entertainment District. The Mexico City staple, which boasts a Michelin star, is offering Valley residents a four-day culinary fiesta from June 26-29, as reported by ABC15.
Taco enthusiasts will have the opportunity to taste what high-quality, simplicity in a taco really means, with doors opening at noon each day of the event. The inaugural Taco Bite Ceremony will set taste buds dancing at 11:30 a.m. on June 26, with festivities drawing to a close at — get this — 10 p.m. every night. According to a news release sent to ABC15, Chef Mario Hernández Alonso will bring the authentic experience of his legendary taco stand straight to the heart of Arizona.
Mario Hernández Alonso, the luminary behind El Califa de León, credits his family's time-tested approach to the world of gastronomy, "The secret is the simplicity of our taco," Hernández Alonso said on the website promoting the Glendale pop-up experience. The menu will feature Taco Gaonera, Taco Costilla and Taco Chuleta, priced at $10, $12, and $8 respectively. Each taco promises the culinary rigor one would expect from a Michelin-starred establishment, with a simple yet tasteful combination of hand-made corn tortilla and choice cuts of meat prepared with merely a sprinkle of salt, a squeeze of lime, and a dollop of fiery house-made salsa, as per KTAR.
Set your GPS to 9425 W. Entertainment Blvd, just north of Desert Diamond Arena, if you want to sink your teeth into what promises to be an unforgettable dining experience. And remember, traffic in Glendale is expected to be hectic on June 28, thanks to the legions of soccer fans who will invade the area for the CONCACAF Gold Cup matches happening at nearby State Farm Stadium. KTAR suggests arriving early if you're planning to partake in the taco festivities.
