80. Taco de Nopal at Urban Cactus

Behold the beginning of our annual 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!

When I was younger, my doctor told me that I had high blood pressure and to change my diet. I must've grumbled about it to the Latina insurance coordinator, because she looked me straight in the eye and said, “Eat nopales.”

]

And so I decided to try it, and I fell in love. It's hard to find them, though, even in the most raza of raza eateries. A few strips on a taco acorazado, or a spoonful from the salsa bar at El Pico de Gallo, but it's never featured, except at Urban Cactus, where it's stewed with red chile sauce and stuffed into house-made tortillas.

Good, and good for you. Sold.

The List:

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

Follow Stick a Fork in It on Twitter @ocweekly or on Facebook!

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *