51. Consomé de Barbacoa at El Torito Nuevo

We're reaching the halfway point of 100 Favorite Dishes countdown! Every day until the publication of our fantabulous Best Of Issue, we'll list our favorite meals this year in descending order. Enjoy, pass it on, and tune in daily!

Look at those garbanzo beans: fat, glistening, pregnant with earthiness. Look at the pool of consomé from where it came from. And look at the barbacoa, barely visible and fuzzy in the shot. That's the order of preference that you should tackle the barbacoa plate at El Torito Nuevo in Orange.

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Don't get me wrong: it's all delicious, as I pointed out in my review earlier this year. But I'm a sucker for consomé, and this one's one of the best barbacoa ones around. You don't even have to eat the meat right there–sip up the soup, throw in some onion and salsa, get the tortillas they give you, and eat away. Perfect for the winter that may never come…HA!

The List:

52. Black Goat Casserole at Mirak
53. Wagon Wheel at French's Cupcake Bakery
54. Molletes at Taco Maria
55. That Awesome Hot Sauce at Akropolis
56. The Hermanator at Peter's Gourmade Grill
57. Bolsa Bao at Baos Hog
58. Full Moon Roll at Full Moon Sushi
59. Fried Chicken at Plaza Inn
60. Tonkotsu Spicy Ramen at Ramen Yamadaya
61. Three-Meat Combo at Robert Earl's BBQ
62. AYCE Sushi at Sake 2 Me
63. Yaki Dog at Burntzilla
64. Fruit Sorbet at the Playground
66. Dulce de Leche Walnut Shrimp Taco at Dos Chinos
65. Buñuelo Waffle at Waffles Inc
67. Cajun Seafood Pasta at The Big Catch
68. Belgian Fries at Wursthaus
69. Scoops x Contra Ice Cream Float at Scoops Ice Cream Santa Ana
70. Buttermilk Panna Cotta at Lola Gaspar
71. Hummus at Mick's Karma Bar
72. Savory Baked Goat Cheese Bread Pudding at Eat Chow
73. Sicilian Style Pepperoni Pizza at Perry's Pizza N Italian Restaurant
74. Kabocha Honey Nuts at Kabuki
75. Smashed Potatoes at Standing O
76. Dim Sum at Seafood Cove #2
77. Loco Moco at Bread Crumb Ohana Cafe
78. Bratwurst at Barley Forge
79. Beef Noodle Soup at (Wafting Fragrance) Noodle House
80. Taco de Nopal at Urban Cactus
81. Fried Chicken at Crazy Chi-Mac
82. Mole Tots at Amor y Tacos
83. Khao Soi at S.T. Noodle Bar
84. Chili Cone Queso at Cozy Cone Motel
85. Crispy Smelt at Big Catch Seafood
86. Teriyaki Chicken Plate at California Plate
87. Combo Plate at MasalaCraft
88. Cornbread Waffle N Chicken at Mrs. Bea's
89. Everything at Crispy Town
90. Kurobuta Pork Belly Bánh Mì at Mendocino Farms
91. Tostilocos at Tortas y Biónicos “Nice”
92. Milanesa at Delicias Peruanas
93. Super Nachos at Kelly's Korner Tavern
94. Tortas at Sliced and Diced Eatery
95. Seasonal Dumplings at Coconut Rabbit
96. Burrito de Birria de Res from Burritos La Palma
97. Bò Kho at Song Long Restaurant
98. Pancake Sandwich at Willowick Golf Course
99. Tahdig at Tanor Fresh Mediterranean Grill
100. Quatro Formaggi Panini at Old Vine Cafe

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