El Taco Bravo | King City

Melanie Wong · Jun 5, 2015 01:04:41 UTC

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Melanie Wong | Jun 5, 201501:04 AM 5

On Monday I was in King City after a two-year absence catching up to my friend riding in the AIDS Life Cycle. Over the past few years, the two of us have hit up nearly every taqueria in town, including some now departed. However, El Taco Bravo was one we'd not tried yet.

Located away from downtown in the shopping center shared with Safeway, El Taco Bravo was less atmospheric than the older places on Broadway with more of a fast food ambiance. There is table service for ordering and food delivery, then you pay at the counter.

Salsa and warm tortilla chips were complimentary. Very good on both counts --- complex salsa de molcajete and homemade chips.

Since the spot is named "Taco", I had to try at least one, ordering a fish taco. Probably not the best choice on a Monday. The cubes of tilapia was on the strong side. The doubled, stiff corn tortillas were not sweated. Not recommended.

However, the gordita al pastor was excellent. A fresh masa cake cooked to order with a lovely toasted corn aroma, crisp on the outside and tender in the center. The delectably seasoned al pastor was very tender and so delicious. My horchata was also good and the only agua fresca flavor available.

My friend had the carnitas plate. Really delicious fried pork, juicy and bursting with flavor in the middle with some browned crispness. This had a dab of guacamole that we liked so much we ordered an extra side to have with the excellent tortilla chips.