Tacos al Pastor

Dish information

Tacos al Pastor, a quintessential Mexican street food, offers a fascinating culinary story, blending Lebanese culinary traditions with Mexican flavors. The name 'al pastor' translates to 'shepherd style,' which is a direct nod to the shawarma techniques brought by Lebanese immigrants to Mexico in the early 20th century. These immigrants, settling primarily in Puebla, introduced the vertical spit-roasting of meat, typically lamb, to the local food scene. Mexican taqueros ingeniously adapted this method, replacing lamb with pork and marinating it in a vibrant paste made from dried chiles (like ancho and guajillo), achiote (for color and earthy flavor), spices (cumin, oregano), and pineapple juice or vinegar. The marinated pork is then layered onto a vertical spit, known as a 'trompo,' with an onion and a piece of pineapple on top. As the meat slowly cooks, it becomes incredibly tender and flavorful, with charred edges. Thin slices are shaved directly into warm corn tortillas, creating the signature taco. The pineapple, traditionally placed at the top of the trompo, not only bastes the meat as it cooks, imparting a subtle sweetness and acidity, but also provides a fresh topping alongside finely chopped onion and cilantro. Mexico City became a hotbed for Tacos al Pastor, and it quickly ascended to become one of the most popular taco variations. Its popularity is not just due to its delicious taste but also the theatrical preparation – the skilled taquero carving meat from the trompo with impressive precision, often catching a piece of pineapple mid-air before it lands in the taco. It's a dish that embodies the fusion of cultures, creating something uniquely Mexican and universally loved, representing the vibrant and innovative spirit of Mexican street food culture.

Timeline

• 1920s

  Lebanese immigrants arrive in Mexico, introducing shawarma-style cooking.

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  1930s

  Mexican cooks begin adapting shawarma, replacing lamb with pork and adding local spices.

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  1960s

  Tacos al Pastor, as known today, becomes popular in Mexico City.

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  1970s

  The use of the 'trompo' (vertical spit) for al pastor becomes widespread.