Al pastor

Al pastor, also known as tacos al pastor, is a cherished taco featuring spit-grilled pork. Its origins can be traced back to Lebanese immigrants who brought lamb shawarma to Mexico, introducing Middle Eastern spices to the flavors of central Mexico. This delectable street food has since found its way to the United States and is sometimes referred to as taco de adobada in northern Mexico, especially in Baja California. A similar dish from Puebla, with a slightly different spice mix, is called tacos árabes.

The history of al pastor dates back to the 19th century when variations of vertically-grilled meat dishes spread throughout the Ottoman Empire. Lebanese immigrants, particularly Christians who had no dietary restrictions on pork, introduced shawarma to Mexico in the late 19th and early 20th centuries. Their Mexican-born descendants later combined their culinary heritage with local Mexican cuisine to create al pastor. This dish shares similarities with Turkish döner kebab and Greek gyros.

To prepare al pastor, pork is marinated with a blend of dried chilies, spices, pineapple, and achiote paste before being slow-cooked on a vertical rotisserie known as a trompo. The marinade typically includes guajillo chile, garlic, cumin, clove, bay leaf, vinegar, cinnamon, oregano, coriander, and black peppercorns. Once cooked, the meat is thinly sliced off the spit and served on small corn tortillas with onions, cilantro, and diced pineapple. Additional condiments such as lime wedges and salsa can further enhance the flavor.

There are various iterations of al pastor. In northern Mexico, it's known as tacos de trompo, and when you add cheese and use flour tortillas, they are called gringas. Tacos árabes, originating from Puebla, feature shawarma-style meat served in pita-like bread called pan árabe. In the early 2000s, a chicken version of al pastor, known as "shawarma mexici" was introduced in the Middle East. This version is typically served with garlic mayonnaise, dill pickles, and french fries in a thin flatbread. Al pastor also features in other dishes like gringas, alambres, huaraches, tortas, and even pizza.