A Taste of Guadalajara in Laguna Woods??

 Tacos De Birria Estilo Guadalajara 

23802 Avenida De Carlota

Laguna Hills, CA 92653

We pulled up to St. George's Episcopal Church in Laguna Hills on a Sunday afternoon around 2pm. Were we here for a service, wedding, or baptism? Nope, we were here for another glorious event, birria tacos. Yes, birria tacos have become the "it" food trend of the past year or so, and they have become so popular that they have even made it down to South OC at a church that sits right across the street from the senior citizen-laden Laguna Woods. 

Tacos De Birria, or as the cool kids call it, TB, started serving their food in the church's parking lot but has now taken over the kitchen of their event center. Ordering is done at the register, and there's a covered patio with about six tables to wait for your meal. There are also a couple of tables to the left of the register, with umbrellas to keep you safe from the elements. 

For those late to the birria party, here's a little blurb to help you understand what birria is. Birria originated in the Mexican state of Jalisco. It's a stew traditionally made with goat, especially in Mexico, but in the US, it is commonly made with beef, known as birria de res. The meat is marinated in various ingredients and then spiced before being cooked in broth. At TB it comes as a taco, quesadilla, burrito, and torta form. Of course, they also have other protein options, but birria is the main attraction. 

Last month, they opened a second location in nearby Aliso Viejo. They are located near the intersection of Pacific Park and Aliso Viejo Parkway, behind the El Pollo Loco and right next door to Porky's Pizza. I have not heard that they are shutting down this church location yet but be advised that if they do, there's another option to get your birria fix. Speaking of which, let's check out what we had on this visit. 

This afternoon we had birria in three different forms, starting with this Birria Quesadilla ($14). The shredded beef is melded perfectly with plenty of cheese and sandwiched by the orange-hued tortilla. The meat is reminiscent of finely chopped short rib, which is very tender and flavorful. Each bite was delicious and made even better when we dipped it in Consome ($4) for an extra burst of flavor. Be aware that this is a very filling quesadilla, and it might be wise to split it with someone. 

The Qusae Birria Taco ($4.60) is just like the quesadilla but on a smaller scale which is better for lighter eaters. The tortilla is layered with melty cheese and then topped with a generous amount of birria, onions, and cilantro. I thought the filling would fall out, but the meat adhered to the cheese and stayed there even as I dunked it into the consome. The tortillas are helped by being doubled up. These are delicious tacos. 

When I first saw Birria Ramen ($11) on a menu, I thought it was just some novelty food that people would order to pander for likes on Instagram. However, after my first bite of this, I changed my tune. It was delicious, hearty, and perfect for the chilly afternoon we visited TB. When adding the provided chili oil, you will feel warm and cozy almost instantly after the first spoonful. The chili oil is a bit spicy, so add a little and then go from there. 

The only item I got that did not feature birria was this Carne Asada Burrito ($10). I had high hopes for this burrito because it contained rice, beans, a good amount of cheese, pico, chili oil, and some guacamole. The tortilla appeared crisped on the flattop, which I appreciate. It was just missing something. The beef inside fell flat. Maybe it was because the birria had been so good, and I had subconsciously compared them. It was a letdown. 

Even with the lackluster burrito, I left TB very satisfied with our visit. After my first bite of their birria, I knew my long drives to Santa Ana would be curtailed significantly. When my hunger for birria intensifies, I only need to drive ten minutes to get my cravings squashed. South OC used to be a restaurant wasteland with too many chains and mediocre spots dotting the landscape, but those days appear to be behind us, thanks to restaurants like Tacos De Birria Estilio Guadalajara. Whether you are a birria veteran, novice, or have never even tried it, try this spot. I'm sure you'll enjoy it. 

Out of five mariachi bands (because Guadalajara is known for birria and is a hotbed of mariachi music), five being best to zero being worst, Tacos De Birria Estilio Guadalajara gets 3.5 mariachi bands. 

For more information about Tacos de Birria Estilo Guadalajara, check out their Yelp page: https://www.yelp.com/biz/tacos-de-birria-estilo-guadalajara-laguna-hills