El Puerco Lloron

Doesn't Recommend

furayar

Joined 6 years ago

If I could give this place negative stars.... It was New Year's Day so places without long waits were slim pickings. We stumbled upon this place on the Pike Hill Climb and it looked SO CUTE with the little license plate lanterns and colorful tables. Plus, the aroma of fresh corn tortillas seemed too good to resist. The menu is fairly simple, 10 dishes to choose from written on a chalk board...most (maybe all) under $10. I ordered the carne asada and proceeded to the apparent "salsa bar" to get napkins, water, forks, and salsa. There were three types of salsa - one looked like pickled veggies, another a pureed tomato mixture with seeds, and the third a chunky salsa. I took the latter two. Unfortunately, half of the salsa dishes had residual, baked on food from not being properly cleaned so I had to choose dishes carefully. We paid extra for tortilla chips, that I expected to be fresh but they were pretty stale. The pureed salsa tasted like it was heavily ketchup-based and the chunky salsa had pieces of onion in it that were larger than three pencil erasers put together - that's a lot of onion) but it was decent if I just picked out the tomatos and ate them. My carne asada was ready so I went to the counter to pick it up. When I returned to the table and looked at the masterpiece, the smell was just overwhelming. Not only had she slightly burned the fatty, thinly sliced steak, but it gave off an odor that I can't explain - but it almost gagged me. The smell was kind of like the game-iest meat but spoiled (think super gamey venison that has been left out too long and then cooked). I vowed to try it in case it tasted better than it smelled (as many stinky cheeses do) but alas, it tasted exactly like it smelled. I can honestly say that it was the worst meat I have ever had at a restaurant. The accompanying rice and beans were nothing to write home about - not a lot of flavor, but mostly edible. I wanted so much to love this place but it was awful. I vote to rename it: el llanto humano or el llanto de estomago.

Recommends

csmk

Joined 6 years ago

absolutely amazing mexican food!. it's true, the tortillas here are awesome! el puerco lloron is an amazing, casual mexican joint right near the pike place market. some might say it's tricky to find, but not really. it's on the hillclimb beneath the market. basically, just go down the stairs right by the golden pig in the market and keep going down (cross western). it's worth the search! el puerco is not open late - come before 7 sun-thur, 8 on fri & sat. ps - all dishes are under $8 - what a steal!

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saber58

Joined 6 years ago

The Real Deal. If your idea of Mexican food is something smothered in cheese, don't bother with El Puerco Lloron, you will be disappointed. However if you've eaten at that little locals' place in somewhere Mexico, and loved it, then step right in. This is simple good food, and traditional. This is the closest I've found to my Sister-in-Law's cooking (my brother married into a Mexican family). It's nothing fancy, there are no waiters, the staff with the exception of the cashier generally speaks only Spanish. In a word it's GREAT!

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Contributor

Joined 10 years ago

About as authentic as Mexican food gets within the city limits.. In Short
Remember that cafe in Tijuana, the one with the screaming hot-pink and aquamarine walls and the bent, scarred Cerveza Superior tables? They're all here, as are the wailing jukebox, the cut-tin lamps and the woman quietly making corn tortillas by the door. Belly up to the cafeteria counter, place your order, and fight for a table. Try the taquitos plate, three masa tortillas rolled around a succulent filling and served with rice and beans.

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runscott

Joined 7 years ago

Great atmosphere, simple but authentic food, great price - I will go there regularly. I love this place - the food is simple, flavorful and inexpensive. The ambience is great and the staff is friendly - just the kind of unpretentious place I like to go to have a quick and tasty meal. If you are into the yuppie places along 1st in Belltown, this is not for you. Only downside was that it seemed like every couple who walked in the door had a screaming small child with them, but I've only been in once and I'm hoping that was just bad luck. Even so, it didn't bother me as much as it would in other places. I had the bistec chicken, which came with some of the best corn soft corn tortillas I've ever eaten.

Doesn't Recommend

lyricas21

Joined 7 years ago

Worst place in Seattle. I would NEVER recommend this place to anyone. RUDE service, gross chicken, and dirty tables. My family was in from out of town and they thought it looked like a cute little place to check out. My brother-in-law ordered a dish and went to pick it up off the counter when one of the ladies grabbed his plate from him, yelled at another server and scooped off the guacomolie right off his plate. He didn't pay for it so he was NOT going to get it. It was awful!

Oh and we had to pay $.77 for stale chips....

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jlfoodextraordinaire

Joined 7 years ago

taco del who? Blue water where?. Downtown Lunch goers, this mexican cafateria style eatery hits the spot. Grab 3 taquitos (small soft corn tortilla) filled with beef,chicken, or pork w/ side of yellow rice and beans. hit it all up with the Salsa bar for 6 bucks. Plus you can sit outside!

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mrgrandefromage

Joined 9 years ago

The only authentic mexican food in Seattle. This place is OUTSTANDING. One of the very few places in Seattle to get REAL mexican food. The carnitas are great, the Rellenos are great...I love the food here. If you think Azteca serves mexican food, you need to come here and educate your palate.

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mjmac

Joined 9 years ago

The worst service i've ever had. My wife and I love to dine out and are always looking for a new place to try. A friend recommended that we try El Puerco Lloron. I have never before been treated with such utter contempt and absolute disrespect. Having worked in food service for 6 years I understand having a bad day but this was absurd.

Recommends

angel808

Joined 11 years ago

Simply Yummy. El Puerco is a great place to go if you are sick of Taco Time. The ingredients are fresh, the corn tortillas home-made on the spot, and the cost won't dent you wallet so you can still eat at Canlis later in the week!

I was scared when I saw they only used parmesan cheese but now, I prefer it.

The pork taquitos are the best!