ACA Pigalle – Taquería

by Abdon FLORES

It is not clear where does the word “taco” come from. There are many speculations about its origin but no one seems to fulfill certainty. As a Mexican myself, I’d like to think it comes from Nahuatl, the language spoken by the Aztecs before the conquest. Words such as quauhtlaqualli (a white, huge tortilla eaten by Aztec emperors); tlaqualiztli (to eat); tlaqualizpan (lunch time) or tlaqualli (food) are some good guesses to ascertain its origin since tacos have existed for a while.

In any case, tacos are so popular nowadays that have become somewhat like the symbol of Mexican street food. They have everything a dish needs to gain success: they are tasty, easy to make, appealing, and come in a wide variety. But, most important even, they have a high nutrimental value.

 

 

Finding a good taco outside Mexico could be a tough task; and this difficulty increases while you move away from the origin. Paris, for instance, is far enough in distance and culinary terms from Mexican cuisine. But, as the capital city of gastronomy, it is not a surprise that you can find here a rather good taquería where you can taste delicious tacos. That is the concept behind ACA Pigalle, to be an authentic Mexican taquería.

Founded early 2020 by the owners of another Mexican restaurant (El Guacamole), this new taquería has plenty of qualities. The first one would be its design and décor. Even before tasting the food, you have a certain notion of Mexico: the talavera dishes, the Spanish spoken service, the huge comal in the middle of the kitchen, the Mexican beers on the tables… and that particular smell of a place where tacos are being made.

The menu just corroborates such insight. In ACA Pigalle you will find mainly classics: barbacoa, tinga de pollo, pastor, cochinita pibil and some specialties from Northern Mexico like sea food and fish tacos. Actually, there is a certain influence from the north of Mexico since the chef, Grant Booth, comes from Sonora. You can choose either wheat or corn tortillas for your meal too. Mexican food lovers will find also quesadillas and burros -both bigger than tacos-; it must be said that tacos in ACA Pigalle are rather copious.

In the menu you will find aguas frescas, the drink that goes with this “finger food”. There are only classics: tamarind, hibiscus and horchata. Or a Mexican beer to procure digestion; the popular northern beer Pacífico is on the menu. Now, are the sauces spicy enough to make you cry? Not really for Mexican costumers, but this might be a plus for the restaurant which is located in the very touristic area of Pigalle. And also, are tortillas like the ones my Mom makes back in home? Well, that is actually impossible in Europe, but the product offered is good enough. On the other hand, this taquería makes its own nachos which are near perfection.

It would be unfair to pick something and just suggest it to everyone as a must try dish. Instead, the advice is to recommend Mexican food that in ACA Pigalle finds a really good and fair offer.

Open daily from 12h till 23h.

48 Boulevard de Clichy, 75018.