Tortillas are easy to buy. There’s any number of purveyors that will deliver cases of frozen tortillas, flour or corn, to your kitchen. Thaw them out and stuff them with your fixings, and most of the well-known taco joints in our town do just that. Not so at Asada. Order one of their specials, such as their Tacos de Camarone con Mole, and you’ll be greeted with two rusty red tortillas spiked with a powder of chiles and spices.
If you opt for my favorite, the Arepa Relleno, you’ll enjoy a pillow-soft arepa, handmade from corn flour, stuffed with slow-roasted pulled beef brisket seasoned with a blend of those Guajillo chiles, onion, garlic and tomatillos. The brisket is topped with a jicama slaw, a dollop of creamy avocado sauce and another warm arepa. This torta pequena is a powerhouse of flavor and texture, and it’s yours for a mere $10 — just $10 for one of the most satisfying bites of food I’ve ever enjoyed.