El Nuevo Guadalajara ~ North Long Beach

6792 Long Beach Blvd. ~ Long Beach, CA 90805 ~ 310-537-1539 (TACO Map)

Cruising Long Beach Blvd. not far from Compton Community College I found the colors of the rainbow radiating good vibrations from El Nuevo Guadalajara and its neighbor, 7 Machos Peluqueria, a unisex establishment. A beautiful word- unisex. These buildings show off how some love and a lot of diiferent colored paint can transform a concrete urban landscape into a sunny Southern California candy land. I'm uplifted and drawn to their light.

If this guy gives you the nod, then you're in. Stepping through the door of El Nuevo Guadalajara you feel the cool air and smell the fresh produce piled up on display. I walk the rows of lemons, onions and apples, straight back to the refridgerator for a tutti-fruti Jarritos. All aisles eventually lead to the carniceria. Whatever you seek- cow tails, pig shoulders, chicken nuggets, milanesa, it can be found here on exquisite display. No rancid smells here- the carniceria is meticulously tended and the butchers were friendly and helpful.

Should you choose to pick up some tacos on the spot, it's helpful to know that you should order at the register and take your receipt to the good butcher. The cooks were still preparing the days carnitas and cabeza, so I happily settled on two al pastor tacos. These $1.00 tacos were generously stacked with tasty meat, cilantro y cebolla, and salsa picante by request. All of this comes on a strawberry colored plate!- a perfect match for my tutti fruti Jarritos and a red table in the sun.

As one might expect from a carniceria of this caliber, the al pastor was excellent- not burnt, but grilled to tender perfection. The proportion of rich fat to meaty morsels was ideal. You can take your tacos out front of the market to these tables set behind a low wrought-iron rail. There is a pick up window at the far end for busier times. Stay long enough and maybe you'll spot Snoop Dog rolling down Long Beach Blvd!