Oh don't get me wrong guys, I would NEVER write something like that if we were not 100% sure about the source. When we first started seeing this food cart, we came up to the gentleman out of curiosity to browse the menu and he made a pretty good pitch about the food and the delivery services. The food looks great and I will still be trying it since it would take much more to detract a foodie like me from trying something new. It is just disappointing that the same people that were nice to us when we first approached the cart engaged in this activity when she was walking by the cart by herself at night.

i can see why you would get upset if someone accosted your fiancee like that, but there are worse things that could be said to her. while i never understood the concept of hollering at girls (either while youre driving or walking), my gf just thinks it's funny when guys do that to her. personally, id be more upset if they called her ugly! lol

I am very surprised as well. Had the same positive experience with the service and delicious food as others have posted. Was at the cart for quite a while talking to the owner, and they were extremely attentive to the food and service.

I think that greg needs to be sure it was actually the owners and not some people waiting for food before accusing them.

This really, really surprises me too. They were extremely respectful to me last night as well. I talked to the guy the whole time he made my food....which was several minutes. I didn't get that impression at all. Your girlfriend may be absolutely right. But, I'm pretty shocked.....

Wow that is a shame if that's true. Not a cool way to gain customers.

Are you sure it was the torta guys (black cart) and not the other food cart (more generic looking, hot dogs or whatever) that is also often there?

I spent about 20 minutes talking to the owner last week and he didn't seem the type. He seemed way too proud of his food to mess up like that. And way too smart. You never know, but I'm willing to give him the benefit of the doubt, this time.

His tortas and hot sauce are just so damn good.

As a woman who is frequently harassed by the men who loiter my JC neighborhood (which I love despite said harassment/loitering)...I just want to add that the two men operating the cart when I have been there have been very respectful to me and to other female customers I've seen them interact with. That's been my experience.

I was excited to try to food at this place until my fiancee was walking by and the two guys working at the cart started to call out to her with the typical "hey mami" bullshit. Just a tip to the guy that represents the cart on this board, if you want to maintain a reputable business and attract customers, "hollering" at females walking by is not the way to do it.

So good...Sooooooo good!

The guys are super nice....

I've had the aztec steak. Deeeeeeeeeeelicious!

just tried the California and the Zincro-nikzz. both excellent. The bread that is used on the sandwiches is outstanding by the way!

oh and there is a new hotsauce which is great!

HI Everyone, we took sunday and monday off, me Alex and Aaron are both Fathers, but we are back this tousday at regular time 5pm till midnite so come and get our famus tortas at tortas el IMPERIO! Thank you All

for those planning to go there today, they will not be there today, Sunday (i just called)

I thought it may be helpful to post El Imperio's menu and contact information.

The guys who run the place are really friendly and I'm told they now deliver.

See below for details!


EL IMPERIO - TORTAS AHOGADAS DE GUADALAJARA

Each of the following is $7.00:

LA ORIGINAL

- Old-Fashioned Whole Wheat Birote Bread
- Your Choice of Chicken, Pork or Veggies
- Refried Pinto Beans
- Tomato Sauce/Chile de Arbol (Extra Spicy Sauce)
- Pickled Onions With Lime Juice

EL CALIFORNIA

- Old-Fashioned Whole Wheat Birote Bread
- Slow-Braised Achiote-Marinated Beef Brisket
- Sour Cream, Yellow Mustard, Jalapenos

THE AZTEC STEAK

- Crusty Old-Fashioned Whole Wheat Birote Bread
- Beer-Marinated Skirt Steak
- Tomatoes, Caramelized Onions, Fresh Jalapenos
- Seared Oaxaca Cheese
- Refried Beans

ZINCRO-NIKZZ

- Whole Wheat Tortilla
- Our Veggies (Roasted Poblano Rajas, Corn, Potatoes)
- Or Your Choice of Pork, Chicken or Beef Brisket
- Oaxaca Cheese
- Sour Cream, Spicy Sauce

For Delivery, Call Alex (347) 624-9306

Catering Now Available for Private Parties

Business E-Mail: gusaniux [at] live [dot] com

Hours: Usually Tuesday - Sunday From 5PM to 12AM

Location: Plaza By Grove St. PATH Station (Near Dunkin' Donuts & Duane Reade)

Thumbs up on the food. Have been there a couple of times and Alex was super-nice in explaining the food and how he decided to focus on specialities from Guadalajara. He's clearly passionate about preparing good food! I especially love the zincrinizada - kind of like a quesadilla, but waaaay better than a quesadilla. The portion size is extremely generous for $7, too.

after much hype i finally got to stop by the cart. I had the original and i must say it was delicious! that hot sauce is very tasty. i am looking forward to trying the other stuff. Also to note. I was speaking to the owner and he said they will DELIVER if you live in the area!!! Also every week he will have a new special item.

the number is 347-624-9306.

thanks alex! you should also get on facebook and create a page. thats another great way of keeping people updated with your specials!

i had the la original tonight and took some pictures. it was just as delicious as it looked, and spicy without killing all of the taste. take a look. alex (the owner) is a super nice dude who is really passionate about his food. i will definitely go back and try plenty more.

http://www.flickr.com/photos/alli-son/tags/elimperio/

hi ElImperio,I'm looking forward to trying ur food sometime soon thanks for posting!

Hi you all We are Tortas ahogadas El Imperio and we are located at the exit of the Grove st. Path station, come and try our famus aztec steak or the zincrinizada with oaxaca cheese and braised brisket tuesday to sunday 5 till midnite.

It sure is. I saw it by the Grove Street PATH Station tonight.

Is this cart still around?

Where is this cart? Yesterday, I was at the Gove st. PATH entrance by Dunkin Donuts and all I saw was fruit and vegetable stands. Nothing against nutrional foods, but I wanted some fast food mexican and could not find it.

quality

tried the azteca. nothing to complain about. def worth the $7 (unless you prefer to reserve the $2 for a soul crushing $5 foot long).

easily one of the better sandwiches in the Grove area.

regarding the Ibby's price comment... yeah i agree, more or less. It's still a great, quick, relatively cheap option. but i don't like that they jacked the soup and combo price.

Gotta go with the cart. Ibby's has gotten a tad pricey for what they offer. I do love their harissa though.

Tried their food a couple nights ago. Very, very tasty... the hot sauce is very hot and the bread is nice and crusty. Going to be hard to choose between them and Ibby's when I don't feel like cooking!

This food is mouthwateringly good. Go hungry and be adventurous. JC needs more business owners like the young Mexican fella who operates this cart. He is nice, earnest and hardworking and is always looking for ways to expand his business. Be a sport and try one of his tortas. You won't regret it.

I tried the tortas with both chicken and beef brisket - loved them both, especially the beef. Delicious! They were surprisingly light and non-greasy.

Stopped by here this past Sat around 11:30 craving a torta. Tried the Aztec and the California. Both were great and I'm looking forward to going back to try the rest.

This is the new place where you can get real home cooking from Guadalajara Mexico, from spicy tortas ahogadas to melted oaxaca cheese zincronizada, carnitas, achiote braised brisket, adobo roasted chicken, joint us at the corner of Grove & newark, outside the path station.

Website and menus coming soon.
thank you for you comments.

Quote:

the hamilton park hoopla was caused entirely by a lame bar owner in the area, with no regard to his resident neighbors who clearly liked the chicken truck. in other words: someone would need to alert the "authorities", it would seem.