Chicago has so many great taqueria shacks that there are probably more bad ones alone in the city than there are entirely in any other Midwestern state. Luckily for us there also happens to be hundreds of good ones throughout the Chicagoland area. It also happens that many of the popular little spots have seen their amount of locations double and triple. Las Asadas is a good example of this as they currently have five locations in Chicagoland. It happens to be run by the owner of the La Pasadita empires son. They fit the old saying "like father, like son" perfectly as Las Asadas prides itself on its fire grilled skirt steak tacos.
Las Asadas in Brookfield
The menu at Las Asadas is small and that's ok because there's one thing they do there that will have you coming back day and night. The tacos de carne asada are done the way steak tacos are supposed to be done. In order to achieve the perfect steak taco one must use tender well cut skirt steak-cooked with flames-and topped with fresh cilantro and onions. Since there are so many fresh corn tortilla suppliers in Chicago that part isn't hard and neither is a nice salsa verde. The steak is better than good when it comes fresh off the grill, the toppings always fresh and the verde has some kick to it. My usual order at any place specializing in carne asada tacos is 3 steak tacos-two with cilantro and onions and one with cilantro, onions and cheese.
perfect flavor combination
I know the purists will say that cheese ruins the flavor and I agree that it makes the taste different but not for the worse. It doesn't make it any better, just a little change of pace for me. I love the combo of the barely melted cheese and fresh charred skirt steak mixed with the salsa. Las Asadas strives to make the product taste the same at all five locations which can be hard and isn't always going to happen. With that said I haven't tasted much of a difference at the Brookfield, Des Plaines and Western ave locations. The Western ave. spot moved down the block a little bit into a nicer little more upscale looking sit down type place but don't let that fool you-the tacos are the same. The key to getting a nice juicy fresh off the grill taco anywhere is going during peak hours or when there are quite a few people eating. The steak wont be sitting in a container if there are lots of people then there is a fast turnover.
authentic steak taco
Rating Scale 5/5
steak: 5 (when fresh off the grill)
cilantro/onions: 4
tortilla: 4
salsa: 3
Score: 16/20
Las Asadas
2045 N. Western
Chicago, IL 60647
773.235.5538
Other Locations:
3834 W 47th in Chicago, IL
782 W. Oakton in Des Plaines, IL
356 Lee Ave in Des Plaines, IL
8863 Ogden in Brookfield, IL
My girlfriend lives in Brookfield. I'm going to try to hit this spot up this weekend.
ReplyDeleteTry your tacos with the salsa negra. Smoky, and spicy. It's definitely available at the Brookfield location, but I don't know about the others.
ReplyDeleteIt's my favorite taqueria, easily.