When traveling how do you know how to pick a good restaurant? The old adage about truck drivers eating there I found to be an urban legend-the most important criteria to them is can they park their truck. And in a land that is saturated with chains of all sorts-what do you do? Over the years I have put together a criteria for eating on the road, and this is how it qualifies a great Mexican restaurant. Note rules are not hard and fast-but they work for me.
I have learned, stay away from modern, brightly colored buildings. Old houses are best. When these places try to capture the flavor of Mexico in their over decorated establishment, they end up hiring cooks for minimum wage. The allure of free chips and salsa can be inviting, but rubbery tacos and latex chicken aren't the way to go. The name can make a difference, avoid names like El Cid, or named after an animal-Iguana's for instance. Look for a names like La Cocina-kitchen, or La Buena Vida. Best bets may be named after the cook, extra points if it is a female. Mamacitas tend to make the best Mexican food, look for names like Dolores Kitchen, Maria's, and Francisco's-yes I know it is a male name, but his wife does the cooking.
Avoid the ones by the freeway exits. Go downtown, and avoid the trendy looking ones. The best ones seem to be found also on the edge of town, where parking is where you can, usually gravel and dirt, and the building may be an old house. Inside decor to avoid-white linen table cloths! Floors shouldn't be carpeted, as you never get the salsa out of them. Vinyl on floors and tablecloths is easier to clean. Velvet paintings can be a lure, avoid pictures of Pancho Villa or El Vis, but doesn't mean the food isn't authentic. Look for family pictures, graduation notices and communion memories, an area for local business cards, and a cashier who is part of the family. Mom cooks, dad runs the register, and the kids serve. We all enjoy.
Finally the menu. Real Mexican food is not served with wine. Sorry trendy folks-it is cold Coke or maybe a cerveza. Used to cool the palate instead of get drunk. And look for family favorites-usually under some spilled, hard salsa on the laminated menu. Handwritten menu boards offer the daily specials. I have found the more basic the food, the better. Gourmet and Mexico just shouldn't role off the same tongue-at least not together in the same restaurant. And no big screen TVs. Look for a small one, even one with an antenna, where the waitresses sit at watching in between customers. In Espanol. A Mexican soap opera or futbol. Black and white-extra points. Silverware-you got a knife and fork-who says they have to match? And napkins are paper. Never ask is the chili hot. So how do you know where to find this mythical place? You ask.
One night in Salinas, we asked the girl working the motel desk where to get some good Mexican food. After naming some local chains, I pushed for real food, where the hardcore locals go. With a warning, we were directed to a place that most would not go to. On a main street, but dark, the streetlight was out, an old looking building that screamed "paint me please", potholes so big trucks were leaning and Toyotas were wary, and most of the sign lights out for the night. Looks fine to me. Walking in, Theresa had already told the boys "stay close and don't touch anything," we were greeted by a mamacita, making tortillas, and a room filled with empty deli style coolers. Seems they sold them on the side, or in this case the entry way. Spanish was the main language, and as a waitress took us to a table, a few looked up, probably wondering how some gringos had invaded their cocina/cooler store, must touristas that are lost. Ordering from the menu basic stuff-Theresa judges by rice and beans, and me by carne asada, only if adobada isn't available, we had this great meal. FRESH tortillas, cold Cokes, and great chips and salsa. Not quite the touristy trap, definitely not Taco Bell, the tables leaned a bit, the bugs had names like Pepe or El Grande, and this place won't meet Sunset magazines criteria, but it was what we wanted. And the food and the experience were incredible. And somehow we fit right in! The only downer-I forget the name of it! I remember how to get there, and only saw the place once in the dark-no street lights-but look every time I get off the highway in Salinas. I am sure it is still there, and not replaced by some chain. No sense starting a Mexican revolution over a restaurant when the people approve.
Fitting right in is also a good thing when looking for a church. If the people are friendly, the pastor right on, and the music fun and a spirit of worship is found-you have found a home. Using similar criteria to finding a good restaurant, I have found that asking another Christian where they go is the best thing. And go with them-so you are not a stranger-you at least know someone! Motorcycle parked out front are a plus. But the most important criteria-I saved for last.
For when we look for somewhere to eat, repair our car, fix our bikes, or worship, we pray first. And God has always been faithful to send us to great places. Some think it is a sixth sense, but it should be your first sense. And will even exceed an overwhelming sense of common-which usually isn't.
For when we look for somewhere to eat, repair our car, fix our bikes, or worship, we pray first. And God has always been faithful to send us to great places. Some think it is a sixth sense, but it should be your first sense. And will even exceed an overwhelming sense of common-which usually isn't.
Where you eat, and feed is important. And who you do it with is also. Worship local, eat local-but when on the road-take the same gospel that works at home with you, and find out that your away from home is someone else's home-and be welcomed by them. The best meal of your life may be your next one, and the best message ever one service away.
Pray, obey, and follow. Works great for food, and even better with God. And who knows better about good places to eat than Jesus Himself!
And if the waitress knows what sopapillas are, save some room for a couple. Good food, like the gospel, are always good news.
Do you want red or green with that?
love with compassion,
Mike
matthew25biker.blogspot.com
