Tacos al Pastor: An Irresistible Celebration of Mexican Street Food
The tacos al pastor are among the most famous and tasty Mexican dishes. But where did they come from? Many stories exist about their origins, and Mexico is considered the capital of tacos al pastor.
The tradition started in the Middle East with dishes like doner kebab, shawarma, and gyros. However, in Mexico, the spinning top (trompo al pastor) version became hugely popular with food lovers worldwide.
History of tacos al pastor
The Mexican recipe for tacos al pastor is delicious because it takes the concept of these Arabian dishes and makes it its own. What are tacos al pastor? The main thing that makes them special is treating them like a work of art, with love, care, and a sweet touch! Their arrival in Mexico dates back to the 1930s in Puebla. Migrants from Lebanon came to Mexico planning to go to the United States, but some stayed and shared their cooking traditions.
Puebla is where the trompo al pastor first appeared in Mexican cuisine. At first, Arabic bread was used to make these tacos. Some places still traditionally make the classic recipe (we’ll tell you where). The original version did not include pork or dried chilies, following Muslim beliefs against eating pork.
Later on, the recipe changed, and pork became the main ingredient for tacos al pastor. In Mexico City, they added onion, cilantro, and pineapple to give it a sweet and sour flavor. Many taquerias claim to be the official creators, like El Oriental or Bagdad Tacos in Puebla and El Tizoncito in Mexico City. The truth is, we’ll never know who invented them first. What are tacos al pastor? But we know their legacy is now a huge part of Mexican food culture — a magical tradition passed down through generations.
Making Tacos al Pastor
Selecting the meat, spices, marinating times, and each taqueria’s special recipe makes every taco al pastor taste slightly different. The preparation is a ritual, an art form. The taquero (taco maker) chooses an excellent fatty pork loin cut and marinates it in dried chilies, garlic, cinnamon, salt, vinegar, and a blend of spices. The spices come from the Arab influence. Taqueros also adds the famous achiote seasoning and other personal ingredients.
Once the magical marinade is mixed, each pork steak is carefully layered onto a vertical metal spit, with pineapple and onion at the base to support it. This forms the traditional Mexican spinning top shape. Taqueros trim excess meat from the sides, then stack more marinated meat in the center, pressing firmly to compact the trompo.
When the last steak is on, they crown this work of art with a whole pineapple on top, then light the fire below — either charcoal or gas. You’ll see the inferno heating the delicious meat. Some places even make black tacos al pastor using a different cooking method.
As the trompo turns, browning the raw exterior, the incredible aroma lures in anyone nearby. Once browned, the pastor is ready to become tacos. What are tacos al pastor? The taquero shaves off the sizzling outer layers of meat and piles it into tortillas with onion, cilantro, pineapple, and salsa.
What does taco al pastor mean?
The name “al pastor” refers to the nomadic shepherding peoples of the Middle East who originally made this dish with lamb. That’s why these “shepherd’s tacos” are so deeply rooted in Mexican culture and traditions.
Where to Find the Best
If you want to enjoy the finest tacos al pastor in Mexico City, these are some of our options:
Tacos al Pastor’s Importance
What are tacos al pastor in Mexico? As we’ve discussed, Mexican food is core to the nation’s culture. Tacos have been a tradition for millennia, with roots returning to ancient indigenous ancestors. Corn is the dietary staple, and each region’s unique ingredients showcase the creativity of Mexican families through generations.
Tacos al pastor exemplify how Mexico has absorbed cultural influences from around the world for thousands of years and made each dish distinctly its own. So when someone asks, “What are tacos al pastor?” you can explain like a true foodie how they merge Middle Eastern spices with Native Mexican flavors—a shining example of the delicious wonders of Mexican cuisine and heritage.
