I grew up in western Oklahoma, a area unknown for its delicacies. Whilst a small baby, I longed for spicy meals, however the one condiment in my household’s kitchen cupboard was Worcestershire sauce.
Once I was just a little older, I found Tex-Mex meals. My household started eating on the El Chico restaurant in downtown Oklahoma Metropolis.
I cherished that restaurant! I used to be astounded by the complimentary tortilla chips and salsa—manna from heaven. I all the time ordered a mixture plate with a tamale, an enchilada, and plenty of chili gravy.
Sadly, El Chico banned us from the restaurant after my father and grandfather bought right into a loud and acrimonious dispute over who would pay our lunch invoice. To this present day, a duplicate of my father’s driver’s license is taped to the money register with this warning:
Precaución. No sirvas a este gringo ni a su familia Fossey. ¡Llámale a la policía!
Since these days, I’ve eaten in over 100 Tex-Mex joints, and I take into account myself an authority on this ethnic delicacies. Listed below are some ideas that will help you discover a good Tex-Mex restaurant.
First, a Tex-Mex restaurant’s recognition is based on the power of its margaritas. If the joint’s margaritas include sufficient tequila (fortified maybe with Everclear), you’ll give the eatery a five-star evaluation.
How are you going to decide if the margaritas are sturdy? Order a home margarita on the rocks. While you’ve completed it, just a little voice in your head will inform you to modify to beer.
Ignore that voice, order a second drink, and chug it down. If the proprietor deprives you of your automotive keys, you may know the margaritas are robust sufficient.
Listed below are a couple of different pointers:
First, Mexican beer is the solely beer to drink when consuming Mexican meals, and it should be ice chilly. I favor the obscure manufacturers: Carta Blanca or Victoria. My associates like Corona, however I discover it tastes an excessive amount of like Bud Gentle.
Second, your server ought to serve your meals on a sizzling plate. Nothing tastes worse than tepid Mexican meals, and a superb Tex-Mex restaurant will current you with a searing platter that will provide you with a second-degree burn when you unwisely contact it.
Lastly, Mexican meals is cheap, and most Tex-Mex eating places are constantly good. I ate many meals at El Patio restaurant on Guadalupe Road in Austin whereas working my manner by means of legislation faculty within the Seventies. The dinner plate solely price a buck fifty.
Ever since these days, Tex-Mex has been my favourite consolation meals. Sizzling and flavorful, with an orange glow rising from the melted cheese, a Tex-Mex meal alerts to me that each one’s proper with the world.
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| The Enchilada plate at an El Paso restaurant. What’s to not like? |
