TACOS AL PASTOR
A Smoky, Sweet & Sizzling Street Sensation
A love letter to Mexico City street food: juicy marinated pork caramelized with pineapple, kissed by flame, and wrapped in warm tortillas with onion, cilantro, and pineapple.
What Are Tacos al Pastor?
What Makes Our Tacos al Pastor Special?
Tacos al pastor pair savory marinated pork with the sweetness of pineapple and the aroma of a hot trompo-style roast. At TACO NACO KC, Chef Fernanda Reyes brings that Mexico City-inspired combination to Kansas City.
Pork marinated overnight with housemade achiote and guajillo chile
Cooked for caramelized edges and smoky flavor
Finished with pineapple, onion, cilantro and salsa verde
Made to order at TACO NACO KC
The History of Al Pastor
The Origins of Tacos al Pastor
Tacos al pastor were born in Mexico City during the 1960s, inspired by the Lebanese tradition of shawarma. Lebanese immigrants introduced the vertical spit, or trompo, used to cook marinated meats. Mexican taqueros adapted the method by swapping lamb for pork, blending in dried chiles, spices, and vinegar, and finishing it with a slice of sweet pineapple for balance.
The Al Pastor Style
Cooked slowly on the rotating spit, thin layers of pork are shaved off and piled onto warm tortillas, creating a perfect mix of smoky, savory, and tangy-sweet flavors. The addition of pineapple, onions, cilantro, and salsa made al pastor a street food icon unique to Mexico.
A Beloved Global Classic
From bustling Mexico City taquerías to food trucks and restaurants worldwide, tacos al pastor have become a global ambassador of Mexican street food. Their combination of tradition, spice, and flame-kissed flavor continues to win fans across cultures and continents.
Order Tacos al Pastor in Kansas City
Check the current menu and start an online order to see today’s al pastor availability at TACO NACO KC.
Al Pastor FAQs
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Al pastor is marinated pork cooked in the style of a vertical trompo, then served with pineapple, onion and cilantro. The method grew from Lebanese shawarma traditions adapted by Mexican taqueros.
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Our al pastor is seasoned with achiote and guajillo chile for deep flavor. It is flavorful rather than aggressively hot, and you can choose salsa based on your preferred heat level.
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Check the current menu or start an online order for TACO NACO KC in Westport, Overland Park or State Line. Availability may vary by location and day.