Because ustedes gentle readers love lists, and we lazy scribes love
easy hits, behold the latest entry in our Top 100 dishes list that
continues until Best Of–at which point, we'll give you MORE lists!
Now, on with the show…
The dish: beso de monja, essentially a quesadilla, but with much more meat than cheese. The locale: El Rincón del Sabor in SanTana, which will appear again on this list but is mostly beloved for its take on chilango classics. Its heritage: Cuernavaca, Morelos, the city that gave us the taco acorazado. Its rarity: the only place in Orange County.
The mystery? After the jump!
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What's with the name? Beso de monja translates as “nun's kiss,” and is the name applied to different meals across Latin America, usually as a dessert. Perhaps a cruel joke on the chaste sisters? The thinking that a nun's lips are the sweetest around because they're the most virginal? A mystery I will eventually discover–in the meanwhile, El Rincón's version features perfectly crisped flour tortillas, juicy carne asada, and a salsa that burns. Enjoy for its rarity, and for itself.
El Rincón del Sabor, on the corner of Mortimer Street and Santa Ana Boulevard, SanTana, no phone number.
The list so far:
#100.
Jerk Carnitas Torta at The Crosby
#99.
Nem Nuong Cuon at Brodard
#98.
Pork Chop Anything at Nice Time Deli
#97.
Flying Saucer at Alberto's
#96.
Frozen Custard at Marc Burger's in Macy's Signature Kitchen
#95.
Collard Greens at Johnny Reb's
#94.
Strawberry Shortcake from Job's Daughters
#93.
Cuban Sandwich at DeSimone's Deli
#92.
Lamb with Preserved Cabbage at Mas Islamic Chinese
#91.
Baked Rice at Luc Dinh Ky
#90.
Beans on Toast at The Olde Ship
#89.
Midnight Al Pastor Burrito or Taco at Taqueria Tapatia
#88.
Budino di Cioccolato, Pizzeria Ortica
#87.
Beef Teriyaki Bowl, Teriyami
#86.
Salmon Onigiri at Cream Pan
#85.
Beef Fat Fries at SideDoor
#84.
Silken Tofu & Thousand Year Old Egg at Asian Tapas
#83.
Cambodian Beef Jerky at Sophy's
#82.
Com Tam at Com Tam Tran Quy Cap
#81.
Chipotle-Piloncillo Goat Cheese at SOL Cocina
#80.
Nem Nuong Cuon at Au Lac Restaurant
#79.
Blackened Mushroom & Tofu Burger at Taco Loco
#78.
Fried Veggie Fish Fillet at Dong Phuong Tofu
#77.
Tofu Vegetable Salad at BCD Tofu House
#76.
Che Ba Mau at Thach Che Hien Khanh
#75.
Barracuda Sushi at Ohshima
#74.
Whole Lamb with Kabsa at Olive Tree
#73. 5 a.m. Chitterlings at
Tri-Village
#72.
Spinach Empanadas at El Gaucho #2
#71. Croissants at Molinos Bakery
