El Aguila
Happy Three Kings Day! We headed back to El Aguila in Passaic last weekend for some hearty fare. The place is busy as ever, and we noticed a lot of newbies like us checking out the place.
Creche close-up. The whole display was actually more than six feet tall, and stylized to look like it was the side of a mountain. We wanted to make it for breakfast to try their specials (churros y chocolate), but woke up late. No worries, though, because the hot entrees were good to go. It appeared that they have a rotating selection of dishes, because they had different foods on display.
Hot dishes. The reflection on the glass camouflages the guy chopping meats for carnitas---you can see his hand on the far right, behind the counter.The bakery was hoppin' that day in preparation for Three Kings Day, a major religious holiday in Mexican tradition. It celebrates the time when the three wise men, after following the star of Bethlehem, found the baby Jesus. If I remember my religion classes correctly, they gave gifts of gold, frankincense and myrrh. More importantly, I think this is the time that kiddies get presents.
Patty cake, patty cake, baker man. Make me a cake as fast as you can!
Trays of rosca de reyes (bread ring for kings). Traditionally, a coin or a little baby figure is baked inside the bread; whoever finds it is supposed to have good luck the whole year. I ordered a cubano torta (cuban pressed sandwich), with no ham. DJKung got the carnitas burrito (same as last time), and a carnitas taco for his dad. We also got a pina drink and a pina colada drink.
The jolly torta man here prepared my sandwich. 
Hot skillet for torta. See how the torta man grilled both pieces of bread, and even the cheese. He also cut fresh slices of avocado and used some tomato and lettuce. The sandwich was not really pressed like a real cubano, but it was still hot, crusty and dang good.
Top picture: torta cubano, sans cheese. Bottom picture: cross-section of same. The tomato was a bit anemic, which is why it looks yellow in the picture.
Taco carnita.
As for the drinks, the pina drink was very fresh and delightfully unsweetened. I ordered the pina colada because it was white in color and looked unusual. It was very sweet, with an artificial taste, no coconut flavor... at least now I know what it is. Can't wait to try their other juices.
El Aguila now has printed menus too. DJKung got the scanner up and running so you can check out their awesome menu. FYI, barbacoa is goat meat.
I actually think this place would be much better, if they had the food they advertise on there MENU. I have been there several times and one time i had to wait as much as 40min for tacos. The food is great but the staff not so great, specially the girls taking your order. They look like they dont care for taking orders from customers and dont like to work for El Aguila. When it first open the place had all the business from all the other authentic places we have in passaic and it was all great!!! But, couple months later as i mention you would go in and place an order and they will tell you we dont have that today.
ReplyDeleteOverall, the food is great and the service NOT so great!!!
If you order barbacoa in N America, its more likely to be cheek meat of beef. What it is (which animal) varies according to your location.
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