A month after opening, Calexico Carne Asada has finally installed its centerpiece, a blown-up photo that partner Jesse Vendley took near the border of Mexicali and Calexico, where he and his co-owner brothers grew up. When we visited the store to photograph it along with the light boxes that are now being used as shrine-like dioramas (customers are welcome to add their own trinkets), Vendley told us that in addition to the menu he’s currently serving (which you can see in our slideshow), he’ll soon serve fish tacos, gazpacho, and the Mexican-style grilled corn that used to be available at the carts. He also recently added Anson Mills grits with pork or shrimp, and he’s jiggering with the “tofu asada,” since (go figure) an early review called it bland. Below, some more early assessments. Hours are currently Tuesday through Saturday from 11:30 a.m. till 10 p.m., but they’ll soon expand (as will the hours of the carts!), and the delivery program is also expected to grow.
“Food was excellent — we ordered the pulled pork burrito, chicken taco, special beef brisket in poblano-cream sauce taco, and pulled pork grits (which were goopy and excellent).” —Chowhounder
“I had a couple tacos to go, just to try the place out. Carne asada (beef) and pulled pork. The tacos were made on double-wrapped soft corn tortillas and were light and fresh-tasting. Really liked the carne asada. I&#
