In Los Angeles, they are known as the Gothtrompo pioneers, using their own take on the Yucateco adobo-like paste called recado negro to create pitch black versions of pastor that are as visually luring as they are tasty—and the husband-and-wife team that is Elvia Huerta and Alex Garcia of Evil Cooks have built a cult-like following rightfully, even scoring a jealousy-inducing spot on the Los Angeles Times’s Best Restaurants list despite not having a brick-and-mortar.
And now, thanks to the team at El Barrio Cantina on 4th Street, Long Beach will experience its first taste of Evil Cooks by way of a Cinco de Mayo celebration dubbed SinCo de Mayo.
And yes, the collaboration will feature a taco with the pair’s famed pastor negro, along with what looks to be a tour of Mexico.
We’ll have the return of the tlayuda from the great state of Oaxaca (which, if my estimates are right, haven’t been seen since the much-missed Oaxaca Mio sat on 10th Street at Orange Avenue over a decade ago).
Enchiladas Rioverdenses will be served, hailing from the city of Rioverde in San Luis Potosí and hailed as potato-and-sausage bits of wonder.
A play on tacos sudado (or tacos al vapor or tacos de canasta or…) will be served with chicharrón.
The list goes on and on: a version of the South-central Mexican staple that is the chalupa, campechana tostada (where various sea critters sit atop a tostada), Baja-style fish tacos…
In other words: It is not only a collaboration I highly co-sign but one that will likely sell out. El Barrio has plans upon sell-out—they’ll return to a menu of pastor tacos, quesadillas, and mulitas—but I suggest you not miss out on the special menu.
The Evil Cooks collab with El Barrio Cantina will take place at 1731 E. 4th Street from 4PM until 8PM/sell-out.
