Aurea's Mexican Restuarant
discussons in the past 3 months.
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This is the most authentic Mexican restaurant we’ve found on the East Coast since moving from California in 2006.
We stopped here for a late breakfast en route to DC yesterday, and left such happy people.
After seating, we were served warmed chips with 2 salsas—one spicy but slightly thin and tangy tomatillo sauce which had a lot of capsaicin, and a red sauce which reminded me of pasta sauce; needless to say, I finished off the tomatillo sauce with a spoon because I felt greedy.
2 guacamoles are on the menu—regular and macho ($3.50); the macho is spicy, the regular not; we got the macho version, which did have a nice bite, lots of cilantro, tons of garlic, a good amount of jalapeno, a tiny bit too much salt for me, but that was fine; it was topped with a faint amount of finely grated chihuahua cheese.
Then the tacos: $2 each:
*Asada (steak): this was perfectly charred, yet tender and juicy
*Lengua (tongue): no chewiness or ick, which I’ve had in the past. Instead, tender, and gristle-free. This was definitely the best tongue taco I’ve ever had, and if you had it here, you would understand why it’s popular. So many places make it so it’s similar to gnawing on pickled pig’s feet, but not here. No funk, just tender goodness.
*Carnitas (roast pork): this tasted like my slow roasted pork shoulder—I roast it usually for at least 18-28 hours. Again, tender, juicy, full of piggy goodness.
*Chorizo: for the first time, I had something which tasted like the origin to American tacos. That paprika-garlic-cumin-tomato-cinnamon-pepper mix which is so good in its original form, and which eventually was imitated and bastardized into taco mix plus ground beef. This is the real thing. Better than what I had in Chicago and California, which says a lot.
*Al Pastor: Tangy, sweet, savoury, but not greasy.
There was nothing left on any of the plates and again we overate; we ordered too much, but couldn’t help ourselves. It has been over a year since we’ve been to California, and we’ve decided on Baja for SCUBA diving instead of Key West because of the food. So yeah, we’ve really missed incredible tacos.
Knowing that this place in en route to both DC and SC, we’re so happy.
Cash only. Open every day 9AM-9PM. There’s a full menu, including breakfast (pancakes as well as everything else). Soups, goat, lunch specials, horchata. But we’ll be back for the tacos.
Total with 2 sodas with tax but before tip: $15.50
First, the address doesn’t work properly; Bayard Drive appears to have been cleared away for a new development; if you’re using a GPS, use the address from the Sunoco gas station (3224 Philadelphia Pike, Claymont, DE), and turn off of Pennsylvania Pike onto Darley, then make the second left into the strip mall; it’s about halfway in.
quick reviews (1 Review)
» I thought it was good.....
...but not great. Yes, they do Tacos right....double corn tortillas, not deep fried, onions & cilantro, but I've had better. In fact, I had better right here in Dover, DE. I wouldn't make a special trip.
