Buy An Authentic Al Pastor Trompo Machine For Tacos

The History and Popularity of Al Pastor Tacos

Al pastor tacos have become an incredibly popular food item across Mexico, the United States, and beyond. The name "al pastor" translates to "in the style of the shepherd" in Spanish. This refers to the method of cooking the meat vertically on a rotating spit, similar to how shawarma is cooked in the Middle East or gyro meat in Greece. The cooking method was brought over from Lebanese immigrants to Mexico in the early 20th century. Over time, al pastor became a sensation and staple of Mexican cuisine.

The vertical rotisserie used to cook al pastor is called a "trompo" in Spanish. It resembles a spinning top. Thin slices are shaved off the outer edge of the trompo as it rotates, then used as the protein in tacos and other dishes. The trompo allows the meat to cook slowly while self-basting in its own juices. This gives it an incredibly flavorsome, juicy and tender texture.

Al Pastor Meat and Seasonings

Authentic al pastor meat is made from pork. It is marinated with dried chilies, spices like cumin and oregano, pineapple juice, and other Mexican flavorings before being stacked and cooked on the trompo. As the outer layer of meat crisps and chars, it is sliced off and chopped up to go in tacos. The sweetness of the pineapple helps balance and cut through the savory and spiced flavors of the pork.

Over time, the concept of al pastor cooking has expanded beyond only pork. You can now find trompo setups serving up everything from beef, chicken, and lamb shawarma, to turkey, vegetables, and more. The vertical rotisserie style of slow roasting thinly stacked ingredients has become popularized around the world thanks to al pastor.

Al Pastor Street Food around Mexico

Walk down almost any busy street in a Mexican neighborhood and you will likely come across street food carts selling freshly sliced al pastor tacos and other items. The enticing aroma of the trompo meat wafts through the air as it rotates and crisps up. Tacos stuffed with the hot, flavor-packed meat are assembled to order with pineapple, onions, cilantro, and salsa on warm corn tortillas.

Beyond just tacos, al pastor meat finds its way into quesadillas, tortas, stuffed peppers, nachos, burritos, and more Mexican fare. It has become a quintessential protein across the country and abroad wherever Mexican food is served. The thin slices also work perfectly on pizza, in salads, rice bowls, and beyond - it is a versatile ingredient that packs a flavor punch.

Buying an Al Pastor Trompo Machine

As al pastor has exploded in popularity, so has demand for the trompo rotisserie machines used to make it. Restaurants specializing in tacos and Mexican food often have a trompo setup visible in their kitchens. The vertical rotisserie, topped with a fresh stack of marinated meat and pineapple, churning away has become an iconic sight and menu item.

For those looking to serve al pastor at home or start their own business, buying a high quality trompo is key. Prices range from a couple hundred dollars for basic tabletop models, up to several thousand for heavy-duty stainless steel commercial machines.

Key Trompo Features

When investing in an al pastor trompo, pay attention to certain features:

• Size - Height and diameter determine meat capacity
• Power - More powerful motors maintain speed under heavy loads
• Temperature - Look for adjustable or high max heat settings
• Construction - Stainless steel resists corrosion and is easy to clean
• Removable skewers - For quick loading and swapping meats
• Digital controls - For accurately setting and maintaining speed/heat

Consider how frequently the machine will run and how much meat you need to produce. Higher price tags come with faster spin speeds, bigger meat capacities, and better durability for commercial use.

Top Al Pastor Trompo Brands

Some of the most popular trompo brands on the market today include:

• Kitchener
• Avantco
• J & R Manufacturing
• Halferty Metal Spinning
• Hobart
• Town

Kitchener is known for making high quality stainless steel trompos at reasonable prices. Avantco machines are built to last decades in busy restaurant environments. J&R, Hobart and Town focus mainly on large commercial-grade units. Halferty Metal Spinning produces customized trompos in smaller batches.

Do some research to find the ideal al pastor trompo for your needs and budget. Focus on quality construction and power over fancy extras. With an authentic machine, you will be slicing up flavorful tacos al pastor that your family or customers keep coming back for.

Serving Up Delicious Al Pastor Tacos

Once you have a trompo setup ready to go, it's time to master the art of making incredible al pastor. Most machines come with a metal spit or skewer for loading the meat. Start by trimming pork shoulder or leg into thin strips, then marinating overnight. Drain the meat, carefully stack it onto the skewer, and top with fresh pineapple chunks. Load up the trompo, set the speed and temperature, then let that flavorful aroma spread as it spins.

Have fresh corn tortillas ready to go along with diced onions, cilantro, limes, salsas, and any other favorite taco toppings. As the outer layer of meat chars and crisps, carefully trim it off vertically. Chop the hot, juicy meat strips then serve in warm tortillas along with the toppings. Now you have authentic street tacos al pastor to enjoy!

With the right equipment, seasonings, and toppings, you can make restaurant-quality al pastor tacos at home for a fraction of the cost. A trompo allows you to impress family and friends with some incredible homemade Mexican cuisine. The versatile meat also shines in many other dishes beyond just tacos too. Bring the flavors of the trompo into your home kitchen today!

FAQs

What is an al pastor trompo?

An al pastor trompo is a vertical rotisserie machine used to cook Mexican-style tacos al pastor. It rotates thin slices of marinated pork so the meat self-bastes and roasts evenly. The conical shape resembles a spinning top, which is why it's called a "trompo" in Spanish.

What meat is used for al pastor?

Authentic al pastor uses pork such as leg or shoulder. It's marinated with chilies, spices, vinegar, pineapple juice and stacked onto a metal spit to cook on the vertical trompo rotisserie. The pineapple helps tenderize the meat and give it a signature sweet-savory flavor.

Are trompo machines expensive?

Al pastor trompo prices range widely depending on size and features. Small tabletop trompos for home use cost a couple hundred dollars. Commercial-grade stainless steel machines built for heavy usage in restaurants can cost over $1,000.

How do I use an al pastor trompo?

Trim pork shoulder into thin strips, marinate overnight, then stack onto the trompo's metal spit. Top with pineapple chunks. Set temperature and spin speed then let cook. Slice off the outer layer of crispy meat to chop and serve in tacos with onions, cilantro and salsa.