El Califa

El Califa Restaurant Review:

El Califa, in the heart of the trendy Colonia Condesa, is one of Mexico City’s most popular taco joints. It is also one of its most expensive, although the ingredients are of prime quality. There are tacos made from rib-eye and tender flank steak. Vegetarians can order tacos with nopal cactus and cheese. If there is any such thing as a Mexico City municipal dish, it is tacos al pastor, made with marinated pork and cooked over a vertical charcoal grill. The frijoles de olla (stewed black beans) is a satisfying side dish, as is the chicarrón de queso, manchego cheese fried on the grill. Five different sauces to accompany the tacos are offered, including chipotle chile with tamarind, and a thick and smoky chile pasilla. El Califa is also open very late---between 4 a.m. and 6:30 a.m. depending on the night of the week---so it’s a good option after a bar crawl.