Barbacoa de Chivo Tacos at La Huasteca

James Norton / Heavy Table
James Norton / Heavy Table

Editor’s Note, 11-3-20: La Huasteca is closed for business.

“The barbacoa de chivo. For real. People need to know.” That impassioned plea was part of an email tip we received yesterday about La Huasteca, a new family-run Mexican restaurant on Nicollet Ave, just around the corner from  El Nuevo Mariachi Restaurant.

The restaurant’s humble decor is similar to that of dozens of other small places up and down Eat Street, and its menu looks similar, too, but for the prominent place held by goat-related dishes and its reference to the State of Morelos in Mexico. Following the principle of “one of these things is not like the other” is a good way to broaden your own food horizons — and it’s also a good way to find the thing that a restaurant is secretly passionate about.

James Norton / Heavy Table
James Norton / Heavy Table

Getting down to details: The Barbacoa de Chivo tacos consist of big scoops of roasted goat with cilantro, onions, and chili sauce served on doubled-up corn tortillas with lime wedges on the side. In terms of quantity, the two tacos made for a solid $4 lunch. In terms of taste, the goat has the presence and emotional warmth of a pot roast — tender, rich, deeply flavored. This robust and comforting foundation is the perfect pedestal for bright notes of flavor like the acidic tang of lime juice, the crunch of fresh onions, and the heat of salsa. When you eat these tacos, you become happy.

Barbacoa de chivo tacos at La Huasteca: Now you know. If you fail to eat and enjoy them at this point, it’s on you.

La Huasteca, 2738 Nicollet Ave, Minneapolis, 8am-pm daily; 612.871.2654

James Norton / Heavy Table
James Norton / Heavy Table

3 Comments

  1. Lynne

    Andale Taqueria in Richfield serves AMAZING barbacoa de chivo tacos on weekends only. Did I mention they’re amazing?!

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