The Story of Carne Asada Fries

El Nuevo Milenio
Corner of Euclid & Division
2323 E Division St.
National City, CA  91950
619.262.1306

*** enter at your own risk :)

Hours:
Mon-Thu 7am-2am
Fri-Sat 7am-4am
Sun 9am-2am

My story is not unlike other tales of vibrant youth, bitter despair, and El Nuevo Milenio.  As a young man I did what many San Diegans do in their free time - scour the local taco shops with friends while compiling a verbal list of which establishments made the best cheese enchilada combination plate or tacos del pastor or what have you.  If you wanted a good diablo shrimp burrito, you would know exactly which location to visit and very possibly who to ask for behind the counter.  It's not hard to feel a grandiose sense of empowerment with that kind of Mexican food knowledge coursing through your manteca filled veins.  Especially on those special afternoons when you decided, for one reason or another, that the time had come for your to hunt down the king of all Mexican dishes - Carne Asada Fries. 

Legend has it that many years ago, on a cool summer night, in an unmarked taco shop nestled quietly in the hills of S.D., an enlightened Mexican food prophet foretold the coming of the Carne Asada Fries.  In his vision he witnessed first hand, for the first time in mankind's jaded history, crispy fried potatoes covered in juicy carne asada, crisp fresh salsa, melted cheese, smooth sour cream, avocado, and raw unbridled glory.

Eventually as an adult I moved away from San Diego not fully prepared for what terrors I would face in faraway lands.  Namely, you would not believe what passes for Mexican food in Boston, seriously, it's like eating out of a spoiled baby diaper and that baby was at the clubs all night binge drinking and eating hot dogs.  It is at times like this when you stand to develop a meaningful appreciation of all the things you once took for granted, primarily Carne Fries.

But once per year, under the false pretenses of visiting friends and family, I make my pilgrimage to where it all began.  I do not know if that great Mexican food prophet ever worked at El Nuevo Milenio, but I do know that they carry on his spirit. For it is at this place, with bars in the windows that I adorn my bullet resistant vest, and pay homage to the greatness I left behind.

Review by: Tony Montoya
Photo Credit: Tony Montoya