La Chingada

Once upon a time, La Chingada was a kaleidoscopic-looking, chicken shop-sized taqueria in Surrey Quays that doled out tender suadero tacos to anyone leaning inside or out. These days, La Chingada has grown up. For the most part, the food still hits. And like anyone or anything that has had an unwelcome but inevitable wave of maturity hit, it’s markedly less exciting, but infinitely more practical.

photo credit: Aleksandra Boruch

photo credit: Aleksandra Boruch

photo credit: Aleksandra Boruch

photo credit: Aleksandra Boruch

photo credit: Aleksandra Boruch

La Chingada is now a bonafide restaurant. There are tables. There are chairs. There’s someone taking your order and, happily, not dissuading you from one more frozen mango margarita. The space is tailor-made for cracking Pacificos and celebrating something or other with those you love or those you’re just getting to know. A round of deep-fried shrimp tacos never goes amiss and, while the al pastor has its on and off days, it’s food that rarely disappoints when you’re en masse.

Restaurants change, spaces grow, and other things dilute. But now La Chingada is settled. Groups of baying friends and family come from all over London to eat here, to have fluoro-red chorizo oil drip down their own chins, to see what one-off Sunday special is on. It may not be as thrilling as standing on the street shovelling tacos, but this party has just moved inside.

Food Rundown

photo credit: Aleksandra Boruch

Pastor Taco

The al pastor is a classic, with thick-cut marinated pork, pineapple, diced onion, and coriander. A squeeze of lime and a dash of salsa is all you need. Just remember to have your scraps-catching hand ready under your taco-eating hand.

photo credit: Aleksandra Boruch

Suadero Taco

A confit beef taco that deserves your undivided attention. On the best days, beef juice soaks into the taco and with a generous blob of chipotle salsa, is the perfect combination of meat, chilli, onion, and lime. Simple, delicious, and the slice of radish is a nice touch.

photo credit: Aleksandra Boruch

Chorizo Taco

Easily the most consistent taco. If you’re getting a takeaway, the chorizo is your friend. It’s very oily, very messy, and has a polite kick. This taco never has an off day.

photo credit: Giulia Verdinelli

Chicken Tinga Tostadas

If you don’t get the tostadas you’re doing it all wrong. Unless you don’t eat chicken. In which case sorry. These are two unapologetic hot messes. Crispy tortillas piled stupidly (and brilliantly) heavy with pulled chicken breast, beans, sour cream, cheese, lettuce, and that chipotle sauce.

photo credit: Giulia Verdinelli

Quesadilla

A plain quesadilla is nice enough. Melted cheese, a warm tortilla—what’s not to like? But what you want to do is throw some al pastor or chorizo in here as well. The answer to cheese oil + meat oil is never not good.

photo credit: Aleksandra Boruch

Salsas

Getting every sauce and salsa is absolutely non-negotiable. The salsa verde is excellent, as is the arbol chilli sauce, but the deep brown chipotle number has our hearts.