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[Best_Wordpress_Gallery id=”201″ gal_title=”chinga tu taco”]
It can be found on the corner of La Mar and Choquehuanca. This has been a very popular “fast-food” culinary corner for some time now. Chinga Tu Taco sits in between Juicy Lucy (prime hamburgers) and BAO? (popular street food, Asian-style steamed buns filled with meat, fish, vegetables, etc.).
It’s always wonderful to sit down with Chef Moma Adrianzen and listen to him talk about his restaurants, upcoming projects and the background behind them. Moma is a driven and passionate chef/entrepreneur who is interested in expanding the ethnic food experiences in Lima. Moma lived and worked in Mexico for five years and that influence has stayed with him and he wanted to create a restaurant that remained faithful to the authentic Mexican taquerias.
I have spoken to several friends that have eaten recently at Chinga Tu Taco. I received some mixed opinions…most really loved it, some thought it was good and would go back and a couple were far from impressed. I always make my own personal opinions, taking into account that typically when we visit any restaurant, we are most likely receiving food that has been carefully prepared because we are there to write a review. Perhaps some diners were expecting the tacos at Chinga Tu Taco to resemble the ones served at Moma’s restaurant, Jeronimo (opened in 2016).
Those tacos are starters served as a more refined finger food with a touch of fusion. The tacos served at Chinga Tu Taco are fast-food style, slightly messy and 100% authentic Mexican style…no tex-mex, no fusion and have nothing in common with the tacos served at Jeronimo.
When you mention the name of the restaurant, Chinga Tu Taco, expect to receive some laughs or perhaps a stern look. The word, “chinga” in Mexico is slang for a popular swear word that begins with the letter “f”. You get the idea. It is not meant as an insult, more of a tongue-in-cheek laugh. The vibe at Chinga Tu Taco is ultra-casual, laid back and relaxing. The food is also without pretensions. They don’t take themselves too seriously. This is supposed to be a fun experience.
The exterior of Chinga Tu Taco is a black facade with bold and bright colored writing reminiscent of Chicha style street art which lists the various names of dishes. The interior is simple with some whimsical touches such as the painted infamous Lucha Libre masked Mexican wrestlers (some with masks on their heads and others with tacos as their heads). The decor is rustic and simple. There are a couple dining areas, one with four long wood tables with casual bench-style seating as well as another separate area with tables and chairs all under an enclosed gazebo (air-conditioned). Rolls of paper towels are on every table as well as vintage salt shakers. The floors are concrete throughout.
Chinga Tu Taco is self-service oriented. The menu is listed both on the wall and on laminated menu cards. You simply place your order at the counter with your name and after a few short minutes your name is called and your food is brought to your table. The servers were friendly, helpful and several spoke English. All the food is served on colorful, reusable plastic plates.
We practically sampled and shared almost every item listed on the menu (approximately 25 items not including beverages). Currently, the prices range between 6-12 soles for food. The prices vary depending on your choice of protein. I feel these are reasonable prices for the quality. The base of all of the dishes is the corn tortilla, the filling, and the sauce.
Besides his current restaurants, Jeronimo (opened in 2016) serving world cuisine with a touch of fusion as well as this current location of Chinga Tu Taco, there are current plans in the works to open up two more Chinga Tu Taco locations (one near Parque Kennedy and one in Barranco). The newest project will be the opening this year of the restaurant, Frida, located nearby on Av. Mendiburu. Frida will serve Mexican fare such as enchiladas, burritos, mole, etc.
Chinga Tu Taco
Av. Mariscal La Mar 1300, Miraflores
Parking: street and parking garage across the street
Hours: CLOSED MONDAY
Tuesday-Thursday: 12:30 p.m.-11:00 p.m.
Friday & Saturday: 12:30 p.m.-3:00 a.m.
Capacity: approximately 50 people
Cash and credit cards accepted
Starters: S/. 6-8
Gringas: S/. 7-9
Quesadillas: S/. 6-8
Tacos: S/. 6-9
Volcanes: S/. 8-9
Tostadas: S/. 10-12
Dessert of the day: S/. 5
Aguas Frescas: S/. 6
Beer: S/. 8-11
Micheladas: S/. 10-13
Margaritas: S/. 20-30
Tequilas: S/. 20-22
Mezcal: S/. 28-36