When you want Mexican food, there are a lot of restaurants to choose from. But when you want Mexican food, you want the real thing. You can get vaguely Mexican fare anywhere, but you have to go to the right restaurants for authentic Mexican cooking. But how can you tell if a restaurant is the real deal or not? Well, there are a few things that can help you work out pretty quickly whether a Mexican restaurant passes muster.
Here are three things all good Mexican restaurants will always have.
Great Salsa
Chips and salsa are the first thing you try at nearly every Mexican restaurant. You sit down, and the server brings them to you before you even get to glance at the menu. If the salsa is made with fresh, quality ingredients, you know that you’ve found a great restaurant. Think of salsa as a way for the restaurant to show off and let you know they’re serious about their food.
Fresh Guacamole
This one is absolutely essential. Guacamole is a simple dip, and easy to make, but fresh guac is miles above anything else. You can tell by the look and the taste whether the guacamole is fresh or made in big batches that sit in the fridge. If the restaurant offers to make it tableside, that’s even better. It’s a lot of fun to watch a pro whip up a bowl of guacamole just for you. But even if they keep the prep to the kitchen, fresh is best!
Corn Tortillas
Even if you don’t plan to order them, always check to see if a restaurant has the option of corn tortillas. If they only have flour tortillas, that’s a red flag. Corn tortillas are the traditional choice for tacos and other dishes. Besides, corn is an essential ingredient in Mexican cooking. Most restaurants offer both flour and corn tortillas because Americans tend to prefer flour. However, if they don’t have corn, what are they even doing?
Stop your search for Mexican restaurants and come to El Tapatio!
At El Tapatio, generations of family recipes inspire every dish on our menu. Authentic Mexican cooking is in our bones, and we love sharing our family recipes with you! Come visit us and find out why we’re the go-to for Mexican restaurants in the Nashua area!