Review: Taqueria Tres Hermanas (Durham) (live, shop, to eat)

[nogard13]

Ok, so I read about this new taqueria at the intersection of 55 and 54 in SW Durham, near RTP, and decided to give it a try. I've been there twice, once last week and again today, both times for lunch.

Overall, the place looks clean and there are two women who work the back and take your order (don't know if they are 2 of the 3 sisters). The (corn) tortillas are made right when you order them, too. They are hand pressed and heated on the griddle for each order.

Here's my review of the food:

Here is what I ordered the first visit: 1 taco al pastor, 1 taco de lengua (tongue), and 1 carne asada (beef) gordita.

Taco al Pastor - The meat looked like it was finely chopped, then cooked, instead of cooked on a rotisserie as is the norm. The marinade was very tasty, with some heat/spice to it. However, I couldn’t taste the pineapple at all. It might be used in the marinade (the purpose of the pineapple is to tenderize the meat, which was very tender), but I didn’t see it or taste it.

Taco de Lengua - Very well cooked tongue. Tongue can be chewey and rubbery if not cooked correctly, this was soft, if a bit spongy (to be expected). It was sliced into very small cubes, however, instead of the normal “strips” that I’m used to seeing (no big deal). The only problem was that the red sauce I added to it (chili sauce) and the corn tortilla ended up overpowering the taste of the meat. This is one taco I’d rather have on a non-traditional flour tortilla.

Carne Asada Gordita - The best of the bunch! I really enjoyed the freshness of the crema and the saucyness of the beef. The carne asada was excellent and I’m definitely ordering this dish the next time I go. As I was eating it, tho, my gordita did get a bit soaked in juices. I just finished eating it with a fork (it was too deliciuos!) and then proceeded to pick up every scrap left on the plate. There was also some cheese in it that made it even creamier, MMMmmm. However, the take-out menu mentions it having aguacate (avocado) but I didn’t see/taste any.

Here is what I ordered the second visit: 1 burrito al pastor

The burrito has the meat, rice, and beans wrapped in a flour tortilla with the lettuce, tomato, crema, and avocado being served on the side. I chose to scoop a bit of the side mixture (which I cut up and mixed well) onto the burrito before each bite.

The meat was very flavorful and the rice and beans were heaven. It’s good that they don’t put the salad inside the burrito or else it wouldn’t close (they pack it with the other ingredients). I finally did taste the pineapple, but not in every bite. I think they cook the meat with the al pastor sauce and the pineapple so that you get a chunk here and there, but not with every bite. It was refreshing to have a bite with the pineapple, tho, so I wish they added more of it.

[arsbadmojo]

Other than starting the review with "OK" (a personal pet peeve) I l enjoyed your review very much.

I was glad to see you tried the pastor and lengua; for some reason when you eat like the locals it gives me confidence in the review, ya know?

I've been by this place a few times, but never stopped in. It's right next to Jamaica Jamaica isn't it?

Reps your way!

[Bmateo]

Thanks so much for your review, more reps for you!

Sounds great, and really stoked to hear they have good gorditas.

From your comments on Pastor, it sounds like you might be from west coast? (guessing, I am not from there). Here, they typically chop up the pineaple and marinate the meat with it, and spices before cooking. I have not seen the rotisserie set up here.

I'm going to check this place out, I work just up the road. Hope they also have Carnitas and/or Cabesa (face meat).

Again, thanks! YUM!

[nogard13]

Originally Posted by arsbadmojo

Other than starting the review with "OK" (a personal pet peeve) I l enjoyed your review very much.

I was glad to see you tried the pastor and lengua; for some reason when you eat like the locals it gives me confidence in the review, ya know?

I've been by this place a few times, but never stopped in. It's right next to Jamaica Jamaica isn't it?

I was going to start this post with OK, and a Haha, J/K, but I decided against it.

I've always enjoyed lengua but I'm used to eating it when it's been sliced vertically, not chopped up into little cubes. I meant to try the cabeza this last time, but I chose the burrito instead. Next time there will definitely be a cabeza taco in the order (I wish they had cachete, or cheek, too, but I didn't see it on the menu). They do have Chorizo, and I bet it's good. That's another one for my next visit.

Yes, it's right by Jamaica Jamaica (there is even a pass-thru between the dining rooms).

Originally Posted by Bmateo

Sounds great, and really stoked to hear they have good gorditas.

From your comments on Pastor, it sounds like you might be from west coast? (guessing, I am not from there). Here, they typically chop up the pineaple and marinate the meat with it, and spices before cooking. I have not seen the rotisserie set up here.

I'm going to check this place out, I work just up the road. Hope they also have Carnitas and/or Cabesa (face meat).

Yes, the gorditas are fried when you order them which makes them even better!

I lived in CA for 4 years but I also lived with my aunt for a year growing up. She married a Mexican, lived in Mexico City for 10 years, and her two daughters were born and raised there. Her al pastor are the best I've ever had (she didn't cook them on a spit, but she baked the pork then seared it). Also, her mole would take 2 days to make and I haven't found a better one yet.

[Bmateo]

I wish I could give you 100 reps. I just stopped in for a quick bike after a lunch-time bike ride. 1 taco/Cabesa and 1 Gordita/Carnitas. too small of a smample to call it "the best", but certainly in that kind of company, and more visits are in store to validate my opinion.

Really good. I also enjoyed the condiment bar, with lots of good stuff, including cactus salad condiment. Yum!

I will be back!

[whiteboyslo]

is this in the Big Lots shopping plaza?

Mike

[nogard13]

Originally Posted by whiteboyslo

is this in the Big Lots shopping plaza?

Mike

Yes, right next to Jamaica Jamaica.