Los Jilbertos
This place is quite literally room temperature garbage. Los Jilbertos, commonly referred to by GJHS students as “Los J’s”, is overrated and I wouldn’t settle for it in the most dire of times — the exception being for this review.
Apparently my distaste for Los J’s is a hot take, but when I tell you that the $3 chicken taco I got was an absolute disgrace, I’m not exaggerating. I’m pretty sure that the chicken was boiled and only seasoned with a slight sprinkle of salt and maybe a little pepper, but that wasn’t enough to save it. The restaurant itself isn’t particularly fancy either — which I usually don’t have an issue with — but I admittedly wasn’t willing to take a gamble with the aguas frescas.
With that being said, I understand that tacos aren’t necessarily their main focus because the menu is fairly expansive. O&B Editor in Chief Eli Schultz joined me on our visit to the place, and he ordered their infamous “Monster” burrito for a good $18. I took one bite and was pleasantly surprised. I have no clue what kind of meat it was actually made of, and of course I was too afraid to ask, but it was kind of fire.
One of this place’s biggest advantages is that they’re open 24 hours a day. I’m aware that it (allegedly) hits after an evening of perfectly legal substances, but if you’re a GJHS student trying to get some tacos for lunch, I do NOT recommend it.
Pollo Azado
My parents first took me to this fine establishment when I was probably no older than nine years old, and ever since, I keep returning. The whole menu is amazing, but I frequently order the pastor (pork) street-style tacos specifically for their amazing flavor. Each taco costs $2.50 – $2.60, depending on which type of meat, which is actually a little steep given that they’re pretty small. However, I’m not going to say that it isn’t worth it. Everything at Pollo Azado also comes with a choice of complementary house-made sauces, the fire one being my favorite.
Given that the name literally translates to “roast chicken,” I wouldn’t fail to mention the chicken tacos as well. While I personally prefer the pastor tacos, the chicken tacos are flavorful and juicy.
They also serve carne asada and tacos, which taste pretty good, but I unfortunately found the meat a little tough. There are lengua (beef tongue) tacos available as an option as well. All tacos are topped with onions, cilantro, lime, and a side of beans and rice can be added for an extra $2.
Additionally, while tacos are the main focus of this article, it would be disrespectful for me to not shed some light on their euphoric enchiladas. I have never had a better experience than slamming a chicken enchilada meal from this place. The sauce is fantastic and the beans and rice or a street taco on the side make for an amazing ~14 dollar meal.
I highly recommend this place because it is a pretty close walk from GJHS, good value for the price, and the food is excellent.
Taco Bell
This place is infamous. Everyone and their mother has been to Taco Bell at least once, so of course it had to be included. With that being said, they seem to have strayed from the “taco” a bit, with atrocities like the new Mountain Dew Baja Blast pie getting more clout than the food they’re actually named after.
Of course it’s garbage, but I guess it occasionally hits the spot. Taco Bell is practically not even marketed as a place for a meal at this point — you can tell by their ads that it’s just glorified snack food.
I don’t even know where to start with their menu, but if you’re here for a good taco, just leave. They’re disgusting. The supposed “hard” shelled tacos are always wet all the way through which results in them collapsing all over you. The soft shelled tacos are just cold, dry flour tortillas filled with what shares more of a resemblance to what my grandma feeds her dog than “people” food. The painfully salty Doritos Locos taco is blasphemous and should have never existed in the first place.
I have to hand it to them, though. Once or twice a school year I will step in with a friend and it’s always packed, so clearly they are doing something right. It’s cheap (although their selection of “value” options seems to be shrinking), their nacho fries do admittedly kinda hit, and the infamous Baja Blast may be refreshing at times to some. Not to be too vulgar, but just make sure your plumbing can handle it afterwards.
El Asadero
I was so tempted to keep this place all to myself. It was kind of hard to find on my first visit, but the food was absolutely fantastic. The sign outside says “El Rodeo Market”, but the restaurant is formally called El Asadero on their website, which loosely translates to “The Grill.”
If you’ve ever watched someone review a taco spot on the internet, chances are you have been made aware of the fantastic quesabirria taco.
The “birria” part comes from the western-Mexican beef dish which these authentic tacos are built upon, with some nice queso (cheese) incorporated as well. With an order of tacos comes a cup of beef consumé, which makes for an absolutely elite combination of flavor when the taco is dipped in it.
Every day, vegetarians across Grand Junction envy those who enjoy a quesabirria taco from El Asadero. The experience at the place is great — the staff is welcoming, and they know how to make EASILY the best taco between Denver and Salt Lake City.
