And now for a new take on something already popular. California’s Vendley brothers embarked on a trip to New York with the mission of popularizing their own style of Mexican food. Basically a slight American BBQ take on Mexican dishes turned upside down. The boys’ popularity grew to amazing heights after opening two push carts simply named Calexico (the name of their home town).  A frenzy ensued and insane lines followed. The alleviation plan and next step was to open their own restaurant. Finally it happened. They set up shop in the gorgeous neighborhood of Red Hook, Brooklyn. And that’s what we’re here to investigate.

 

I have to be honest, I’ve never even eaten from the Calexico push cart. Their popularity is off the charts and the lines are up the block. I attempted one lunch, but man, that line! I’m sure it’s the bomb, but I only get 45 minutes for lunch. This is why I am so happy to hear that Calexico’s Vendley boys have their own restaurant now. They say their most popular item is the Carne Asada Taco.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

They use marinated grilled skirt steak with an avocado sauce. Doesn’t the world just seem right when you’re eating skirt steak? Juicy and petite little tacos are packed full of flavor. These should come in 12 packs. So good! The Pollo Asado Quesadilla I dug a lot, mostly because of the outer shell.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

It’s folded up and grilled into a sealed pocket. Ain’t nothing dripping out of this sucker! A very different way of presentation, and I love creativity. The king of the night for me was the Pulled Pork Burrito.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Listen to this: slow-cooked chipotle pork with sour cream and pickled red onions. It seems obvious now doesn’t it? Why hasn’t this been done more often. The fusion of BBQ and Mexican seems like the obvious food combination. Both are spicy, packed full of flavor, and know their meat. Calexico definitely caught onto that idea in a big way. This burrito was jammmmming! Oh my god the juicy spiciness. Good size too.

 

The Vendley brothers know their stuff. Nuff’ said…

 

122 Union Street

Brooklyn, NY 11231

Prices: Pulled Pork Burrito $7, Carne Asada Taco $4, Pollo Asado Quesadilla $6

Hours: Tues-Sat 11:30am-10pm, Sun-Mon Closed

Access: F Train to Carroll Street

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