Pasa's Paris

El Nopal, your neighborhood taqueria in the 10th

Yes, it is a hole in the wall. No, there is not enough space to eat “sur place,” unless you are alone and are OK sitting on a stool in a corner.

These are the only negative things about El Nopal. Everything else is great. The menu is inexpensive and authentic, piles of fresh avocados and tomatoes are visible behind the glass counter, and the cook cranks out homemade tortillas in front of your eyes.

El Nopal is a friendly spot. Customers chat in Spanish, French or English with the Mexican cook from Monterrey. Even though he is from a land of sun and warmth, the cold gray Parisian skies don’t faze him. He is more than happy to be sharing his favorite national dishes with the people of France.

As a Californian, Mexican food is dear to my heart. Just seeing the words “taco”, “burrito” and “guacamole” written on the menu board were enough to bring tears to my eyes. The first time, I ordered the mixed tacos: chicken and cheese, beef and refried beans, and pork with onions and coriander. So fresh! And as a bonus, all of their items can be made vegetarian.

El Nopal has red salsa and salsa verde of course, with varying degrees of spiciness. The chef confessed that many French people would approach the counter out of curiosity, but the French are notoriously afraid of spicy food. He would give them medium spicy salsa, and that was too much. “Don’t mess with Mexico!” He concluded, pleased with this fact. I promised I wouldn’t.

The food is served with fresh lime and transports you directly to a little café by the beach in your mind. Ordering a Modelo, Sol, or Dos Equis with your meal will help get you there even faster.

For a taste of Mexico and a ray of sunshine, head to El Nopal for your next meal, and tell the chef I say hola.

El Nopal

3 rue Eugène Varlin

Paris 75010

Metro : Château Landon, Louis Blanc

http://fr-fr.facebook.com/pages/El-Nopal-tacos-burritos/114125051981446

Candelaria on rue de Saintonge

I love French cuisine. But after living in a foreign country for a few months, one begins to miss certain foods from home. In my case, it was Mexican.

A friend invited my husband and me to meet her and her boyfriend for lunch at a taco bar called Candelaria. Located on a quaint street in the Marais mixed in with designer boutiques, it was a small space with stark white walls. With just enough room for a bar and one large table, both filled with diners, there was inevitably a line.

We decided it would be worth it to wait for the single table, and this turned out to be true. From the simple slate board menu we picked molé and queso fresco tacos with guacamole and chips, which really hit the spot. On the table were several levels of spicy sauces to choose from, a real treat in a country whose chefs generally shy away from anything piquant. Everything tasted fresh and authentic. To drink, ice cold Coronas for the men and Jarritos mango flavored Mexican sodas for the ladies just like we would drink in California. Dessert was a divine chocolate brownie made with the unique combination of black beans and jalapeño peppers: rich, spicy and addictive.

After wedging past the people lined up at the bar and opening the door that led to the bathroom, I discovered an entire other room dedicated to Candelaria’s nocturnal identity as a hip cocktail bar. A taco bar with a secret cocktail lounge in back? This place was really starting to remind me of New York.

The waiter had taken our orders in French, although after he heard us speaking in English during the meal he told us that he was from Connecticut. As we were leaving, he offered us a farewell toast of tequila shots. We are definitely going back for the cocktail bar. And maybe another spicy brownie.

Candelaria

52 rue de Saintonge

75003 Paris

http://www.candelariaparis.com/

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Tag Archives: Mexican food in Paris

El Nopal: Authentic Mexican Takeout in Paris

Candelaria: a Taco Bar in Paris