Dining with Dondero: Taqueria Lupita’s (Detroit, MI)

American singer-songwriter, David Dondero, is reporting in his meals from his current tour. He’s living my dream of playing music and eating on the road. Here is Taqueria Lupita’s in Detroit, MI.

Mexican Village, Bagley and 18th. Detroit, MI. Wow who would have thought Detroit could bring it with the Mexican food. I went to a place called Lupita’s which claimed to be the house of the original Mexican taco. What attracted me to having Mexican food in Detroit was the fact that the flour tortilla factory was just down the street. I prefer tacos on flour tortillas so I was in. Not sure what part of Mexico that comes from but they offer that option here. I ordered 1 carne asada and 1 pollo asada.Plus a coctel del camaron. All this for only $8.48.

First I got the tacos. The carne asada seemed fresh but the pollo was dried out like it’s been sitting on a prep line for 5 hours. Traditional tacos served with onion and cilantro.. plus the various salsas which came with the chips when I sat down. I give the carne asada a B+ and the pollo asada a C+. The flour tortillas were obviously just made and excellent. They made the whole dish a grade higher. A+ plus for them.. The service was really quick. I got the tacos about 3 minutes after I ordered them.

The shrimp cocktail came after I finished the tacos. This was basically shrimp, avocado, onions, and cilantro in a watery brine served with crackers.. I usually avoid seafood on Sunday, Monday or Tuesday. Due to most restaurant delivery schedules. A chef friend of mine told me once that most restaurants get their fresh seafood deliveries on Wednesday or Thursday for the upcoming weekend. Thus if you order it Sunday-Tuesday chances are higher of being spoiled. Not sure how true that is and I’m sure it varies wherever you go. The finer restaurants probably get it delivered daily. The cheaper restaurants don’t especially if not by the coast. This was a Sunday but I took a chance on the shrimp which were probably frozen anyway. I’m glad I did. I fished them out with a spoon and put a little ketchup and hot sauce.. then salt and pepper on a cracker. It made for the perfect lunch. Not too much food and not too heavy. I was happy and I’d go back there.

Taqueria Lupita’s – 3443 Bagley St. Detroit, MI 48216

David Dondero is one of the hardest working touring folk singers in America. Once named one of the Best Living Songwriters by NPR, alongside Bob Dylan, Tom Waits and Paul McCartney. It’s a privilege to have him part of Me So Hungry. http://www.daviddonderomusic.com/