Comida Mexicana

Ironically, one of the hardest ethnic foods to find in Calgary is that of the Mexican variety. It is, in fact, the closest country with a cuisine that isn’t “western,” and yet for some reason we just can’t get it right. I blame the Tex Mex phenomenon for their butchering of traditional Mexican fare. Believe it or not, a “taco” as us North Americans know it does not exist south of the “other” border. And this whole concept of fajitas and taco salad…only in America (or so I’m told).

Well, today’s stop on      my tour of ethnic restaurants in Calgary was at a Mexican restaurant. The name, Salt and Pepper, somewhat puzzled me, but the establishment itself was of top quality. Greeting customers was a former Mexican national with a solid accent and the Mexican pop music in the background (I believe the lyrics were something like, “I like gasoline” or something) worked wonders for the ambience.

I ordered something that I couldn’t pronounce (often the mark of a good restaurant)…Tamales Oaoxaquendos, perhaps? It was cornmeal and meat stuffed inside a corn husk and baked in mole and salsa. Accompanying the entrée was rice, refried beans, and guacamole. I was pretty impressed overall. The fact that I was full definitely helped as well.

Where the restaurant really earned its “I’d definitely go back there and recommend it to everyone” rating was when we were offered a free dessert each (anything on the menu) just to move tables. This amounted to about 5 feet and I ended up with some Arroz Con Leche (a delectable rice pudding with milk) for it.

Muchos Gracias, Salt and Pepper.