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Very Important Taco: The Chapulines Taco from Aqui es Texcoco

An off-menu grasshopper taco worth chirping about

By Sarah Pfledderer January 16, 2018

Very Important Taco: The Chapulines Taco from Aqui es Texcoco

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Chula Vista’s cult favorite Aqui es Texcoco is famous for their incredible slow-cooked lamb barbacoa, but they’ve got an off-menu grasshopper taco that’s worth chirping about.

First-time insect eaters, be assured, there’s no need to bug out over chapulines. They’ve been considered a Mexican delicacy since the 16th century, sold by the scoop as a sustainable source of protein. Texcoco imports them from Mexico and pan-fries them with lime juice, chiles, and garlic.

The crispy-crunchy chapulines end up tasting remarkably like bacon, and are served plain atop a corn tortilla. Dress them up with chopped onion and cilantro, more squirts of lime, and a drizzle of chile pasilla sauce—or tomatillo for a kick—and munch on the not-too-filling taco, leaving plenty of room for barbacoa.

Craving more crunch? You can order a side of chapulines with avocado.

1043 Broadway, Chula Vista aquiestexcoco