* Warning: Reading today's post might make you inclined to go off your healthy, low-carb, eating plan. *
I haven't found better Mexican food anywhere in the United States than what we have here in Southern California. (My apologies to Texas, New Mexico and Arizona but there's a huge difference!)
You know it's a good sign when one of your favorite Mexican restaurants lets you take snapshots while they make their delicious homemade tortillas.
(Excuse the photo quality on these. I was so excited they allowed me to do this, I whipped my point and shoot out of my purse and took a few hurried snapshots!)
The dough is made earlier in the day and rolled into balls.
Each tortilla begins as one of these dough-balls.
The tortillas are then rolled out in a lot of flour so they don't stick.
She was a perfectionist. Each tortilla needed to be an exact thickness and shape.
Once the tortillas are shaped perfectly, it's time to cook them.
Many of the tortillas are fried and made into chips. The rest are served hot to accompany a patron's meal.
Throw in some fresh salsa and a margarita or two and ...
Did I mention ... delicious?!
© Twenty Four At Heart
Yes, but when you compare Arizona's Mexican food to what they offer here in the Eastern U.S., you can bet that Arizona wins hands down. We had such bad Mexican food in Maryland one time that they didn't even charge us when I complained. The waitress there just happened to be from the Southwestern U.S. and completely sympathized with us. DO NOT order Mexican food on the east coast.... LOL It's soooooo bad.
Your photos are making my mouth water!
Di
Posted by: di | October 01, 2010 at 12:57 AM
And don't order it in Ohio, either. *cringe* And yes, I know the Mexican in California is different than the Mexican in Texas, but I happen to prefer TexMex. Makes sense, since I'm a Texan.
Those are *corn* tortillas she's rolling by hand? Wow - I have to use a tortilla press...
Posted by: Jan | October 01, 2010 at 01:56 AM
I agree! My favorite is in Manhattan Beach and I go there for a meal every single day when I visit!
I now live in Utah. As far as I'm concerned, they do not know how to make good Mexican food here!!! They are more interested in quantity than quality!
I need to book another trip to eat at El Sombrero! :)
Posted by: Pam | October 01, 2010 at 06:32 AM
No. No. Better than the top tier joints in AZ? That's just so wrong to consider. I mean, I know in Cali everybody tries to be healthy and all, but seriously Suzanne, we all know what happens over there. I mean come on! Tofu, gluten free, organic, freerange thingamajig ingredients in the cuisine. I'm just not buying it. :-)
Posted by: Stephen | October 01, 2010 at 09:06 AM
No. No. Better than the top tier joints in AZ?
Yes, far better than Arizona. Come to Los Angeles and your taste buds will thank you.
Posted by: Jack | October 01, 2010 at 06:54 PM
Mmmmmm. My favorite. I love living here just because of the Mexican food.
Posted by: Jason | October 01, 2010 at 09:53 PM