MEXICO CITY: Shrimp, caviar, truffle and gold flakes aren’t standard ingredients in Mexico’s popular tacos. But chef Juan Licerio Alcala uses them to create the world’s most expensive taco at $25,000.
No one has ordered one. Yet.
The handheld dish made of a corn or wheat tortilla folded around a filling is low-cost fare in Mexico.
Licerio, the chef at the Grand Velas Los Cabos Resort, a luxury vacation destination in Baja California, told AFP he decided to think outside the box.
“People are excited and a little surprised about how you can eat a taco for $25,000 (497,000 pesos) when you can find one on the street for 10 pesos,” he said.
“Then I explain the delicacy, the technique and the harmony that they will lift from the plate, and that it’s worth it.”
To make the over-the-top dish, the chef takes a corn tortilla speckled with 24 carat gold flakes and fills it with Kobe beef, shrimp, Almas Beluga caviar and black truffle Brie cheese.
The taco is dressed with a salsa based on Morita chiles and civet coffee, a pricey liquid made from the fermented droppings of a civet which has eaten the berries of a coffee plant.
For good measure, gold flakes are sprinkled on top.
A week after the outrageously pricey dish hit the menu, no one has ordered it, the chef admitted.
But he said many have shown interest, mostly US customers who like to “push the boundaries.”
Ordering the world’s most expensive taco has its own particular method. First, a customer has to put down a $12,500 deposit and already be staying in the presidential suite.
The dish is presented in the middle of the desert encircled by motorcycles, or during a marriage proposal.
“We can adjust to the guest,” Licerio said.
If money is no object, the chef has just the tipple to complement the taco: the luxury tequila Pasion Azteca, at $150,000 a bottle.
Mexican chef creates $25,000 taco — but no takers yet
Mexican chef creates $25,000 taco — but no takers yet
Where We Are Going Today: Cortaco – Mexican dish in Riyadh
- Cortaco is a homey hole in the wall that almost gives you a shock when you walk in
We’re always looking for the next best Mexican spot to obsess over because, let’s face it, no one can deny the deliciousness of a simple, well-made taco — and we think we’ve finally found it.
Cortaco is a homey hole in the wall that almost gives you a shock when you walk in.
With its ambiguous exterior, featuring a bar window for outdoor seating, you’d have no clue you were walking into your grandmother’s home. The interior is adorned with vintage decorative pillows, lace and floral curtains, soft lighting, and antique tiles, making every corner of the place an interesting spot to observe.
Their menu is concise but packed with flavor. After we were served complimentary chips with guacamole and salsa, we started with their signature fries, which were perfectly crispy on the outside and soft within, and the “Frideds,” cauliflower pieces fried with green peppers and jalapeno.
Their tacos are the main star of the show, however. We opted for their signature birria tacos, which are served with lettuce, tomato, cabbage, and jalapeno on the side. The birria sauce is thicker than we’ve found at other restaurants — a sign it’s made right.
Their quesadillas are also a great choice, filled with cheese, onions, corn, and grilled peppers. A great thing about Cortaco is that they’re willing to substitute any dish with a vegetarian option, so if you’re plant-based or looking for a healthier option, any meat can be replaced with cauliflower or vegetables.
Another choice for mains is their burrito, which comes in either chicken or beef. The tortilla bread is grilled on the outside, which gives it a crispier texture and smokier flavor.
Although not a Mexican dish, they also serve chicken and beef Philly cheese sandwiches.
There’s a refreshing selection of soft drinks from their bodega-style fridge, as well as an interesting range of cocktails. We recommend the Jamaica, a blend of hibiscus tea, rose, apple, and berries.
Overall, the ambience and quality of food really sold us — not to mention the affordability. It’s going to be our spot this winter to have a cozy catch-up with friends over comfort food.
