What's Cookin
Tostado’s Grill 3500 Eastern Ave 871-0212
Do you like tacos? Odds are most Cincy residents have no idea what a real taco even is.
What’s a taco? If someone asked you that question how would you respond? Do you think of big crispy corn hard shell tortillas stuffed with minced meat, lettuce, tomato, cheese, sour cream and hot sauce? If so... your a gringo (and that ain’t a good thing padre).
Our south of the border friends invented the taco so I think they know what a real taco is all about.
An authentic taco consists of two steam grilled corn tortillas, seasoned meat (usually fish), fresh salsa and lots of cilantro (purists serve it with radishes and limes). That’s it.
You may think the American tacos sound better due to the addition of so many extra toppings however, the original taco in it’s purest form far surpasses anything born on this side of the border. Believe me, try one and you’ll see what I mean. When I say original I mean original too. These things date back forever.
Residents of the coastal areas of Mexico have been eating fish tacos for lifetimes. The history of fish tacos goes back thousands of years to when indigenous Aztec people first wrapped their fresh saltwater catch into stone-ground-corn tortillas.
Southern California residents have been hooked on fish tacos since the 80’s. In fact, fish tacos are the fast-food signature dish of San Diego, they’re cheap to buy and fast to make. Fish tacos were popularized in the United States by Ralph Rubio who first tasted them in Baja Mexico. According to the story he tells, there was one Baja vendor he especially liked, Carlos. Carlos ran a homemade taco stand with a 9 foot counter and three stools. Carlos fried fish to order and put it on a warm tortilla, customers added their own condiments.
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Rubio tried talking Carlos into moving to San Diego but Carlos knew what a great thing he had and he refused. He did agree however, to share his recipe. Rubio carefully scribbled it down on an old business card he pulled from his wallet. A short time later Rubio opened his first restaurant in San Diego. “Rubio’s Home of the Fish Taco” was born. Today fish tacos are legendary and are sold in the millions throughout San Diego and the Southwest.
The good news is you don’t have to fly to smoggy San Diego to enjoy one. Our very own Tostado’s Grill proudly serves authentic fish, beef or chicken tacos (that rival any west coast recipe) daily, right here on the Eastside.
Hugo Tostado (Tostado’s Grill owner) was born and raised in Guadalajara Mexico. He was barely thirteen when he started his first business venture in the Mexican culinary arts. Hugo started out making Mexican food. In a short time Hugo’s business was so busy he had to take his high school classes at night. By day his hands were furiously busy making hundreds of dishes his customers demanded. Not bad for a 13 year old huh! Hugo finished high school and even went on to college but his roots were firmly planted in the art of feeding people great Mexican cuisine.
He went on to pursue his love of the flavors he grew up with and eventually planted a new tree here on the Eastside, Tostado’s Grill. Like most Mexican restaurants Hugo serves the traditional American tacos we have all come to know and love. He also serves the authentic version for the discerning tastes that crave this little pocket of peppery perfection. These are the real deal tacos people.
You can order tacos singly or with the unbelievable rice and beans that come with the meal. These two additions to the tacos make for an awesome lunch or dinner. Slow simmered pintos with authentic spices make this bean dish a must try. The rice... well it’s the best we’ve ever had. Hugo claims it’s made just as his grandma made it.
Lest not forget the churros. Hugo has been making them for decades and his are primo. What’s a churro you ask? Just think slender, fluted donuts fried crisp with cinnamon and sugar, served up hot and fresh. Sop up a little chocolate off the plate and you won’t want to share a single morsel.
Hugo has many authentic dishes he doesn’t even put on the menu. Fortunately you can get them on request. Hugo caters to many people who know what the authentic dishes are and also know just where to get them. In fact the customers who most often request the authentic dishes are none other then Reds players... Spanish Reds players. They all call on Hugo for a little taste of home. Now who else can say that? You don’t have to make the millions the Reds players make to afford to dine on your very own plate of authentic homemade Mexican either, just go see Hugo... he’ll feed you right.
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