Are Tacos al Pastor the Perfect Food?

The Preparation of Gyros and Tacos al Pastor is Identical

Watching tacos al pastor being prepared gives a sense of deja vu, as it is virtually identical to the way gyros are made. 

Both meals start with a large stack of meat (preferably pork- the only option in my mind) which is covered in seasonings (gyro) or achiote paste (tacos al pastor) and is slow cooked on a vertical rotisserie. 

When the outside edges become crispy and the meat is fully cooked, a shaver or large machete is used to shave off the meat into either a pita (gyro) or corn tortilla (tacos al pastor).

Now the Toppings Come in to Play!

Most all Greek gyros include a tangy tzatziki yogurt sauce, french fries, tomatoes and onions while Mexican tacos all pastor are often topped with salsa, onions, cheese (for a few extra pesos – not needed), and pineapple.

The only major difference between the two when it comes to prep style is the size of the meal itself.  One Greek gyro is often large enough to feed two adults comfortably- that is to say they are monstrous.  At a cost of around 2.5 to 4 Euro ($3.30-$5.30), you can't go wrong. 

Tacos al pastor, on the other hand, are tiny.  These delicious treats often come in tortillas that are only 3-4″ in diameter and one taco costs around 7-14 pesos ($0.50-$1.10).  

To put these meals on the same level quantity-wise you need about 3 or 4 tacos, which makes the delicious tacos cost roughly the same price as a gyro for those who can dominate one by themselves.

Are Tacos al Pastor the Perfect Food?

I can easily say that I've never had an experience quite like the one I had when eating tacos al pastor for the first time.  This deja vu feeling was unique in that both foods were top class items I could, in all honesty, eat just about every day in my life. 

Compared to other meals which have been similar for all the wrong reasons, I couldn't be happier with these two meals.

But are tacos al pastor the perfect food?  Perhaps not. 

When it comes to tacos nothing tops them.  Not even close.  But there is something about gyros that makes them just a bit different than my beloved tacos.  Maybe it is the tzatziki sauce.  Or perhaps it is the warm pita. 

Or maybe, just maybe, I have had to many tacos in my life, making tacos al pastor a little too familiar. 

There is something unique about a massive pork gyro that a taco cannot stack up to, no matter how delicious it is.

Sorry tacos al pastor, you are not the perfect food.  But there is no shame in being a close second.

Go to Mexico and eat these now!

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