I've been hearing about Hurtado on 105.3 The Fan for a while, and although radio ads don't usually…read moreinfluence me, they made this barbecue sound so good that I wanted to try it. Then I accidentally parked in the wrong spot while going to get my nails done, looked up, and saw Hurtado. Clearly, lunch was meant to happen!
I ordered the three-meat plate with brisket, ribs, and poblano sausage, plus bacon ranch potato salad, macaroni and cheese, and tater tot casserole. I'll admit, I wondered whether all the extras in the sides might be doing too much. Well, after bringing everything home and digging in, I can say it absolutely worked.
The ribs were tender and delicious, with great barbecue flavor. The poblano sausage was amazing! I've had jalapeño cheddar sausage before, but this was something different and so good. The brisket had a wonderful smoky flavor, although it wasn't quite as tender as I expected on my first serving. It had cooled down some by the time I got home, and when I reheated it for round two, it was much more tender. Next time, I'll ask whether I can get a leaner cut, just as a personal preference.
Now, the sides deserve their own moment. The bacon ranch potato salad had a finely mashed texture, with delicious bacon and green onions on top. Chef's kiss! The macaroni and cheese had spiral pasta, a little jalapeño heat, and such a creamy, delicious sauce. I've never had any quite like it.
The tater tot casserole was another winner. It reminded me a little of Cracker Barrel's hash brown casserole, but with a smoky, bacon-like flavor and a much finer potato texture. My first thought was, "Is this cauliflower?" It wasn't--it was just a different texture than I expected, and oh my goodness, it was good. Even the bread had that sweet, Hawaiian-style taste that I love.
I'm picky about barbecue sauce, so I wasn't sure what to expect there either. This one was sweet with a hint of Tex mex flavor and a little something different in the seasoning that worked so well with the barbecue. I loved it.
The portions were generous, especially the sides, and my takeout container was full of meat and two slices of bread. Service was quick, too. My food came out about five minutes after I sat down, and they offered me water while I waited.
I went in hoping the food would live up to everything I'd heard, and it was even better than I imagined. Everything had its own flavor, and it all came together so well. Now I'm thinking about that meal and already looking forward to going back!