(16 May 2024)

FOR CLEAN VERSION SEE STORY NUMBER: 4494591

RESTRICTION SUMMARY:
ASSOCIATED PRESS
Mexico City, Mexico - 15 May 2024
1. Various of chef Arturo Rivera Martínez preparing tacos
2. Plate with tacos and green sauce
3. SOUNDBITE (Spanish) Arturo Rivera Martínez, chef of El Califa de León taco shop:
"There is no secret, there is nothing special. The secret is in the quality of the taco, the meat, the tortilla, everything. There is no secret."
4. Tacos served on plate
5. Clients eating tacos
6. Rivera Martínez tending to costumers
STORYLINE:
Newly minted Michelin-starred chef Arturo Rivera Martínez stood over a hot grill Wednesday at the first Mexican taco shop ever to get a coveted star from the French dining guide.

Rivera Martínez did exactly the same thing he's been doing for 20 years: searing meat.

At Mexico City’s Tacos El Califa de León, there are only four things on the menu, all tacos, and all of which came from a cow’s rib, loin or foreshank.

"There is no secret," said the Chef. "The secret is in the quality of the taco, the meat, the tortilla."

El Califa de León is the only taco shop among the 16 Mexican restaurants given one star, as well as two eateries that got two stars. Almost all the rest are posh eateries.

Other than perhaps one street food stand in Bangkok, Thailand, El Califa de León is probably the smallest restaurant ever to get a Michelin star.

In a way, El Califa de León is a tribute to resistance to change: it got there by doing exactly the same four things it has been doing since 1968.

The prices are quite high by Mexican standards: a single, generous but not huge taco costs nearly $5. But many customers are convinced it's the best in the city.

"I know a lot of taquerias and this one is very good. The flavor is incredible," said José Castañeda, a Mexican painter who has been coming here for a while.

And like many regulars, Castañeda will probably have to queue for longer starting from tomorrow to get his favorite - now Michelin-starred- taco.

AP Video by Fernanda Pesce

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