La Jolla High School alumni brothers Eric and Alan Adler know when you merge authentic Mexican street food with the upscale charm of La Jolla, you get the best of both worlds. To bring that ideal convergence to life, the brothers launched Puesto Mexican Street Food, a new casual eatery serving up authentic Mexican street fare right in the heart of the village. Puesto, now open at 1026 Wall St., serves up its traditional Mexican cuisine with a twist in a chic, fast-casual environment, combining fresh, flavorful fare with easygoing ambiance. And despite the La Jolla location, the brothers have kept the menu at street-fare prices. The Adlers brought the street vibe of Mexico to their La Jolla location with pops of bold and vibrant colors, local art — including original floor-to-ceiling murals by world-renowned graffiti artist Chor Boogie — street floors, reclaimed brick, expansive convertible windows and a large center table to recreate a communal family dining experience. Executive chef Luis Gonzalez, a native of Mexico City, has a passion for food that has stemmed from generations past. Gonzalez uses high-quality ingredients, including locally sourced organic produce from Specialty Produce, all-natural meats, grass-fed beef, sustainable seafood, freshly made corn tortillas and six kinds of made-from-scratch salsas. Guests can customize tacos, salads and bowls, which are made to order at a walk-up plancha (grill) with a choice of guisados — grilled proteins and gourmet vegetarian items — to choose from. Guisado choices include carne asada, chicken, fish or shrimp al pastor, grilled salmon filet for salads and bowls, corn truffle, zucchini flower, potatoes with chiles or soy chorizo and mushrooms with Guajillo chile. For a taste of something different, try the tacos “Puesto style” with shredded and crisped mozzarella cheese wrapped around the guisados. Unique “street sides” and one-of-a-kind toppings such as Flor de Jamaica spices, grilled pineapple and grilled cactus can also be added to any meal for a little extra flavor. For a refreshing dessert, try the “Mexican Street Cup” — a compilation of sliced jicama, carrots, mango and dried mango sticks topped with lime, chile and sea salt — as a treat to top off a meal or to simply drop in for a healthy snack. To get a taste of an authentic Mexican taco stand without the arduous commute south, stop by Puesto Mexican Street Food on Wall Street and check out what this side of the border has been missing. For more information visit www.eatpuesto.com or call (858) 454-1260.
