Saturday, April 18, 2009

Missing Tex Mex

I was really at a loss about what to write about today. It is the first lazy Saturday morning with a free guest room in about a month. (My in-laws rented a car and are spending a few days in the Naples area.) It seemed a waste not to use it, but my creative juices were just not flowing.

Then I read what a friend had written about driving 20 minutes away to her favorite Mexican food restaurant. I was a tiny bit jealous. She lives in Houston. There is good Mexican food on just about any corner. I REALLY miss that!

I have lived in South Florida for about 6 years. I am yet to find a GOOD Mexican food restaurant. Sure there are lots of places that advertise themselves as Mexican food, but there is nothing like Papasitos here.

A couple of weeks ago I was finally able to put my finger on the problem. I am looking for TEX MEX. We have a great Mexican restaurant near us, but it just isn't quite what I am looking for. I always leave full, but disappointed. The reason? It is Baja-style. I am not a California girl.

Side note: My Irish in-laws were NOT at all impressed with this particular Mexican restaurant we took them to. They had never been ANYWHERE like it. They kept saying, "Auntie so-and-so would never even walk into a place like this." Their eyes were opened wide with shock and we had to order for them. I think they were expecting something like the Spanish Restaurants they have been to in Europe...not even close! It was an experience!

South Florida has plenty of Cuban restaurants. There are multiple South American steak houses. Tex Mex? Not so much. I might find something if I were to drive to Miami, but the Irishman isn't THAT into Mexican food. (And it would have to be REALLY good to justify driving to the craziness that is Miami!)

There is a new place that opened near my grandparents house, but it is pricey. I have not yet been there, or heard from anyone who has. I am encouraged though...they it advertise as my beloved Tex Mex. (It think the original chain was in Dallas...at least it wasn't California!) Now if I can just talk the Irishman into taking me there...

7 comments:

Jenny said...

I feel for you!! I have lived in FL now for 20 years and have never really filled this void. I grew up eating "mexican" (we didn't know it was Tex Mex - in TX it's just Mex!) every Friday night. If you're ever in the Orlando area, check out Amigos. It's the best I'e found - and NOT expensive! Mexican should never have to be costly!! That's ridiculous! Good luck!!

Kellie said...

Oh how I know what you mean! Sadly, there is nothing in northeast Ohio that slightly resembles Tex-Mex or just the Mex. They have plenty of Italian (there's a Little Italy area near the university), plenty of Greek, and a ton of places advertising "Hot Corned Beef". But nothing in the way of my delicious enchiladas and burritos, chips and salsa. . . . Oh man, I'm hungry now!

Krystyn @ Really, Are You Serious? said...

Oh, how I miss Tex-Mex, too! It is sooooo hard to find!

emily said...

California Mexican is ridiculous. I've gotten cauliflower and squash in fajitas before - NOT even kidding (really really wish I were)! Taquerias are my new-found salvation, but what I wouldn't give for a plate of *real* Cafe Adobe or Papasitos fajitas . . . .

Lindsay said...

You poor thing!! Oh how I would miss my Tex-mex!! Do you want me to mail some pappacitos fajita's with the garlic sauce for you? and queso?? and their salsa?? yumm... maybe I will go there tonight! I wonder if I can pack it with dry ice.. and mail it? what do you think? hahahaha!

Brittany Ann said...

As a fellow Floridian, I totally relate. We really need to do something about this!

Agate Lake Girl said...

Papasitos! Tex-Mex! Why do you always make me crave my old Houston haunts?! It's not fair - I never get back there. I also loved Cafe Adobe which was right down the street from our place in Sugar Land.

And, the Pasta Company had the best veggie lasagna as long as we're talking great restaurants in Houston.