This gem of a taqueria was unknown to me before last month, when an Arizona transplant told me about it and how great their Tlayudas were. I'd never had one, so I put it down as place to try out.

A Tlayuda is handmade dish part of traditional Mexican cuisine, consisting of a large and thin crunchy partially fried or toasted tortilla[covered with a spread of lettuce or cabbage, avocado, meat (usually shredded chicken, beef tenderloin or pork), and Oaxaca cheese.

I took my friend there. We pulled up, and he said, "It's a gas station!" I laughed, and we ventured inside where there were about five tables and a little condiment bar. Alfredo, one of the owners, introduced himself and asked what we'd like. I asked him to recommend their specialty, and he described the Tlayuda. We chose the pork, which Alfredo had prepped with a pineapple marinade.

The 12" Tlayuda came out to our table with the freshest of ingredients, and though it was good by itself, we sampled the homemade sauces from the condiment bar, which included two salsas, one guacamole, and a spicy peanut sauce. Some people order one for themselves; others like us will split it between two or more people.

We also had a chicken and a pork tamale to share, and they were superb. It was so good that we brought our friends back with us the following day for lunch, and they decided this would be added to our regular list of local haunts.