16th Street might as well be called Taco Row, for all the Mexican restaurants lining the street between Washington and Indian School, but hey, there's always room for me.
The newest one in the neighborhood looks appealing because it's not the typical Sonoran spot. Open since last Friday, La Condesa Gourmet Taco Shop features a variety of regional Mexican specialities, with an emphasis on the cuisine of Mexico City and the Yucatan.
Among the list of tacos, there's a special Baja Sur beer-battered dogfish shark taco on a corn tortilla, Cabo shrimp, mesquite-charbroiled Sonoran carne asada, Mexico city-style Aztec tinga chicken, Yucatecan cochinita pibil, Oaxacan black mole with chicken, and a grilled veggie taco.
There are also handmade corn quesadillas stuffed with Oaxacan cheese and a variety of meats similar to the taco fillings, as well as burros. The only salad on the menu looks pretty enticing as well -- it's the Condesa tlayuda salad, with Oaxacan tortilla, beans, cabbage, tomato, red onion, "Mexican sour creamy" (cute menu typo), cotija, Oaxacan cheese, and salsa. To drink, sign me up for horchata with fruit and pecan.
La Condesa is open from 11 a.m. to 8 p.m. daily, and is located at 1919 N. 16th St., on the southeast corner at Palm. Look for the colorful pinatas hanging in front of the sweet shop next door, Dulceria Mayra. For more info, call 602-254-6330.
