El Porton
I've spoken to many people about the the state of dinning in Hempstead and the only thing people can agree on is that it's dire. You can't go a block without running into a bad Chinese restaurant and the two McDonald's are almost always full, but most of the neighborhood restaurants are empty at lunch time. I've asked people who have worked in Hempstead for over five years where they eat, and they shrug and say the Chinese place, or the Spanish restaurant or they drive someplace else. With my eating tour of Hempstead I am trying to shine a light on the best the town has to offer.
El Porton apparently means the inner door. I've eaten here about five or six times, and have received fairly indifferent service. This was improved slightly this time when I used my slowly improving Spanish to say hello and to order. I've only had two items from the menu and have no idea what their specialties are. I like tacos, and that's what I order. The chorizo tacos are peppery, and tangy with a hint of porky sweetness. A bit greasy, but not overly so. The al pastor are slightly less flavorful with a slightly odd grainy mouth feel, but tender and slightly sweet. I'll try them again for sure. They are both complimented by a green salsa which has a definite kick to it. I order Tamarind, because I feel its sweet and sour flavor holds up nicely to the strong flavors of the tacos and is refreshing on it's own.
El Porton - 88 N Franklin St
El Porton apparently means the inner door. I've eaten here about five or six times, and have received fairly indifferent service. This was improved slightly this time when I used my slowly improving Spanish to say hello and to order. I've only had two items from the menu and have no idea what their specialties are. I like tacos, and that's what I order. The chorizo tacos are peppery, and tangy with a hint of porky sweetness. A bit greasy, but not overly so. The al pastor are slightly less flavorful with a slightly odd grainy mouth feel, but tender and slightly sweet. I'll try them again for sure. They are both complimented by a green salsa which has a definite kick to it. I order Tamarind, because I feel its sweet and sour flavor holds up nicely to the strong flavors of the tacos and is refreshing on it's own.
El Porton - 88 N Franklin St
posted by on the d/l at
6:10 PM
2 Comments:
Looking good D/L
I like your quest, for you only will find hidden gems by searching them out.
I too seek out the local neighborhood haunts, and found an awesome place for Al Pastor burrito's (Had one Saturday!)
Unfortunately, its marinated pork is crisped up on a flat grill, instead of standing on a spit turning vertically like a gyro machine.
If you can find Al Pastor on the spit, give the place a try.
Some things just have to be done the right way or their just not the same. Al Pastor tacos are one of those things. Their was a place on Grand Street near my old apartment where I stopped on the way home from work. They made amazing tacos and other Mexican staples. They had lousy coffee, but that was their only flaw. When they closed done I was heartbroken.
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