Rick Bayless

"It’s one of my favorite dishes in the world and almost no one makes it with as much care or talent."

Scott Koenig

"As the "Foodie Hub Expert" for the Valle de Guadalupe, I had the honor of nominating La Cocina de Doña Esthela for this year's award. I visited the restaurant a few months prior to the nomination and enjoyed Doña Esthela's famous machcaca con huevos (dried beef with eggs)."

Jackie Bryant

"Doña Esthela is the grandma-turned-local-celeb who serves the best breakfast in the Valle, and her machaca and huevos rancheros are must-haves."

Kristin Diaz De Sandi

"You can't help but go back for more bites, even if you have managed to finish your whole plate of machaca."

Omar Passons

"The machaca had the right amount of grease and crisp. It was utterly deserving of the bumpy, dusty, early morning trek we traversed to enjoy it."