Huevos Rancheros: Taco Rico

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How is it that our minds decide whether we like something or not? Is it an instantaneous decision or does the process of elimination have more control over our so-called opinions? These are the questions I started asking myself when I had a late morning breakfast of HR’s at some random place in Highland Park I just happened to be near when the effects of too much coffee and not enough food started taking over. My initial reaction to the plate was like hearing a new band that you don’t know where to place, wondering if you’re liking the sounds or if its just pure annoyance. We’ve all been there, giving the record a few more spins and discovering one of the best albums ever or deciding it was crap all along. Well it’s no different for this review, click ahead and tell me what you think of my HR’s!

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Can you judge a plate by its first impression? Let me give you a second to consider.

Okay, here’s how my mind was working. The first thing I noticed was the specks of semi-melted cheese, which usually indicate something isn’t warm enough. Then I noticed the paltry dousing of sauce over the eggs, and immediately discovered the missing tortillas underneath. My eyes then gravitated towards the flimsy plastic fork they placed in my dry looking rice. Man, was I regretting the $4.30 I spent on this dish. But I’m not about to complain ala Americano, you just make a mental note for next time. So I started eating my breakfast. Uhh, this floppy fork is gonna take forever: “Me puede dar un cuchillo?” The rice seemed okay but a bit dry, whatever. The beans were quite tasteless, as if they had too much lard and not enough salt. The ranchero sauce was barely even noticeable: “Me puede dar tantita salsa roja?” It turned out their red sauce was one of those smoky King Taco red sauce clones but without any of the heat, but it was still tasty and resuscitated the ranchero sauce. They gave me two of those super cheap napkins that are almost like tissue, the ones that usually require a small stack. Since I like to eat with my hands, I was about to get up again to ask for more, but I just gave up. I also wanted to get up and ask for a glass of water, but I succumbed to my situation. The woman had asked me how I wanted the yema (which has never happened before) and I said medium; of course they came back super cooked, almost hard.

And yet, as I sat there staring out the window thru the “Free Coffee” lettering, hearing the multiple transactions of bootleg cds going on behind me, I realized that despite all the drawbacks I was enjoying my breakfast. Yeah, it’s confusing. Nothing about the dish is very interesting, yet as I regained some energy from a morning of errands, collected my thoughts, and readied myself for the rest of the day, this short pause in the day was strangely satisfying. And this in a place that prominently advertises cheeseburgers as well. There was a thorough disconnect from my assumptions and my actual experience, and even though I know my mind is right to tell me there is nothing exceptional about the HR’s at Taco Rico, I can’t deny that it was overall very satisfactory.

So there you have it, a completely useless review. A non-recommendation of a place I enjoyed. Make of it what you will.

Taco Rico (323) 256-9070
5455 N Figueroa St
Los Angeles, CA 90042

This entry was posted in Greater Los Angeles, Huevos Rancheros, La Comida. Bookmark the permalink.

5 Responses to Huevos Rancheros: Taco Rico

  1. transit says:

    Taco Rico used to be authenic in the late 80` prior to the taco truck invasion here in the northeast. I cant speak for breakfast (HR) but the asada tacos always were a good fit after a bender .

  2. johnk says:

    That’s the best review I’ve ever read. If only every reviewer were this honest!

  3. fx says:

    El Chavo needs to learn a gavacho expression “You Get What You Pay For”. What was El Chavo expecting for a big whopping $4.30?

    El Chavo, no seas tan codo !!

  4. Edraid says:

    Man, I don’t care what you say, that breakfast looks firme to me

  5. Jesus Quiroz says:

    Don’t drown your food!

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