Down home, unpretentious eatery in a small strip mall much like El Ruby's in Glendale. No air conditioning so be prepared if the outdoor temps go beyond 90°F when take out would be a better option.
Nice service with complimentary light, crispy Totopos/fried corn tortilla chips and fresh, mild tomato, onion, cilantro based Salsa while waiting for your order. Order at the counter, they bring the food to you.
2024-10-1 Lunch
1) Taco Dorado: Dressed with loads of shredded ice berg lettuce, diced tomato, Salsa Verde, slice of avocado. I requested crumbly, dry, fermented Cotija cheese.
The corn tortilla shell was way overfried so it left an overly toasted scent in the mouth as well as cracking & fragmenting in my hand while trying to eat it.
If they can make such exemplary Totopos, why can't the cooks also make just right fried Tacos?
a. Res Deshebrada/stringy beef was over fried, like jerky, no beefy flavour.
b. The pollo/chicken version was overfried too but a bit better. It didn't have that Jidori chickeny taste like at Josie's in Gardena.
Had these Tacos Dorados not been overfried which cooked out their intrinsic natural flavours, I'd guess that they'd be way more palatable. $3 each
1c) Horchata: Very watered down, almost translucent with a yellow tinge which at least let the weak vanilla flavour come through. There was relatively more emphasis on vanilla; way less emphasis on the rice which made this drink less rich in satisfying mouthfeel & flavour.
2024-10-20 Dinner
2) Huarache Supreme:
Huarache means sandals in Spanish since the corn Masa is shaped into the sole of a sandal. Monarca's version is excellent.
The Masa isn't too thick so when fried, it comes out ethereally light & crispy; not thick, heavy, and gummy. In some places the Masa is grilled but does not seem so at Monarca.
The Huarache is slathered with creamy, Frijoles de Pinto which had a nice meaty, bean Umami that paired well to the corn Masa. I opted for the moist, mild red chile sauce tinged, roasted al Pastor pork meat.
Again dressed with loads of shredded ice berg lettuce, diced tomato, Salsa Verde, slices of avocado. Crumbly, dry, fermented Cotija cheese. Bit pricey at $14 but well worth it.
2a) Since the Horchata here was a bust, I got Señorial natural flavour Sangría Soda which has real sugar and not the unhealthful sugar substitutes. It has grapey, red wine flavours with a kiss of warm spices like cinnamon.
The Huarache Supreme will call me back to Monarca Mexican Restaurant. Hope they can create better Tacos Dorados that don't fry away all the natural flavours.
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