“I am tenacious. And I love to eat. I go into the field and see some delectable things
they’re cooking, wild plants perhaps, and think, ‘Oh my God, I have to write about this.’
I just think it’s insatiable curiosity. To me, life is a continuous process of learning.”
~Diana Kennedy
As an essayer of the Land of Enchantment’s culinary condition–primarily as it’s expressed by its restaurants–I’ve always marveled at the passion and appetite of Diana Kennedy who built a lifelong career by compiling, publishing and teaching indigenous Mexican recipes. Just as Julia Child reduced the nuances and inflections of French cuisine and culinary techniques for home cooks, Diana introduced home cooks to highly developed, often centuries-old culinary traditions they didn’t even know existed. Emanating largely from indigenous Mesoamerican cultures that predated Columbus, those culinary traditions might have been lost to time were it not for Diana Kennedy who wrote several classic books on authentic Mexican cooking.
A case could easily be made that before Diana Kennedy, much of the fruited plain perceived Mexican food as some homogeneous combo plate brimming with rolled enchiladas topped with a brownish “sauce” just a shade darker than the refried beans on the plate; “Spanish” rice no self-respecting Spaniard would acknowledge; and a droopy, greasy taco all partially buried under shredded and melted cheese glop. Diana Kennedy would not countenance such woefully sad inauthentic interpretations, preferring instead to teach us how to use and appreciate achiote and atole, moles and molcajetes and even chapulines and hormigas.
Diana Kennedy didn’t glean the recipes for her books by frequenting five-star fine-dining restaurants. She traversed deeply-crevassed and muddy backroads throughout Mexico to speak with and learn from home cooks who don’t deviate from long-held ancestral culinary traditions. Among her very favorite regions was the free and sovereign state of Oaxaca which–despite being one of the poorest and most indigenous regions of Mexico–boasts of the most authentic, time-honored and profound foodways in Mexico. Those of us who hold a deep reverence and fascination for Oaxaca consider “Oaxaca al Gusto” her magnus opus, the culmination of her life’s work.
Oaxaca al Gusto is probably appreciated as much for its cultural and anthropological aspects as for its recipes, many of which most home cooks aren’t intrepid enough to attempt–even if they could find the ingredients. This magnificent tome celebrates the staggering variety and uniqueness of Oaxacan cooking, showcasing sui generis varieties of chiles, chocolate and corn. It features home cook recipes for everything from grasshoppers to fungus. Understandably, Diana Kennedy’s masterpiece came immediately to mind when my friend Bill Resnik told me about La Guelaguetza, an Oaxacan restaurant in the Duke City he described simply as “oh, my God!.”
Fittingly, my inaugural visit to La Guelaguetza was with my boss Linda Johansen. Just as Diana Kennedy is widely considered the foremost researcher, teacher, and writer on the regional foods of Mexico, Linda is universally regarded as the doyenne of information technology at the University of New Mexico. Moreover, she is a fellow culinary voluptuary and Kansas City Barbecue Society (KCBS) judge. Like me, she approaches every bite with a spirit of discernment and appreciation. It’s very rare that I have the opportunity to break bread with someone as attuned to the nuances and subtleties of ingredients and preparation techniques as Linda is. Dining with her would prove to be a great treat and learning experience.
Several years ago, Linda visited central Mexico and became so besotted of the seven moles of Oaxaca that for months thereafter, she experimented obsessively with the preparation of mole, determined to concoct an authentic and traditional version comparable to what she enjoyed in Mexico. That’s a formidable challenge even for experienced chefs. Not only is mole a time-consuming and labor-intensive endeavor, the compilation of ingredients itself can intimidate and even dissuade those of us not quite as determined as Linda. Mole, a term whose genesis comes from the Nahautle word “molli” which means “sauce” or “mix” is a complex dish made from anywhere from twenty ingredients (mole Poblano) to more than thirty (some Oaxacan moles).
In Oaxaca, you might expect to stride into a restaurant under a canopy of lush bougainvillea the shade of Scarlett O Hara, but Albuquerque’s sole Oaxacan restaurant shares the same stucco-hued paradigm as many Due City dining establishments. In other words, it’s fairly nondescript. La Guelaguetza sits in a space next door to a small bodega and its storefront signage is a confusion of the restaurant’s name and imagery reminiscent of the state of Oaxaca. La Guelaguetza is located on Old Coors not quite halfway between Bridge Blvd. and Central Avenue.
Step inside and you’ll quickly espy a colorful array of Mexican papel picado banners (traditional folk art banners resembling decorative handkerchiefs) hanging from the ceiling. Walls are festooned with bowtie-shaped serapes and assorted bric-a-brac. Booth seating flanks north and south walls while the center of the restaurant is mostly four-top seating which is more functional than it is comfortable. Two sensory experiences emanate from the kitchen. One is the cacophonous din of festive Mexican music. Though it’s not streamed throughout the premises, it’s certainly discernible. The other, more pleasing sensory experience, is the olfactory-arousing aromas of magnificent foods.
We joked with our server that the reason the music from the kitchen was so loud was because the Salazar brothers who own and operate the restaurant were back there swearing at each other. We met two of the brothers, both as genial and convivial as possible. Their hospitality and warmth made us feel like welcome guests at their home. When they discovered that both Linda and I speak Spanish (Linda like a native), they answered all our questions with alacrity. Pride in their homeland was evident. So was their knowledge of Oaxacan culinary techniques, ingredients and recipes.
21 November 2019: Shortly after we were seated, our server ferried a small rectangular plate to our table. Ladled onto the plate were three moles: mole picoso, a piquant mole not for the meek of taste bud; mole negro, a smoky-sweet chili-chocolate sauce the color of dried prunes; and mole coloradito which showcases dried red chiles. Warm totopos (triangular-shaped corn tortilla chips) were served with the mole sampler. Contrary to our expectations, the totopos were soft and chewy, not crisp and crunchy. Still, they proved an effective vehicle for dipping into the moles.
21 November 2019: Our server also brought to our table a basket of housemade potato chips which brought to mind the “bet you can’t eat just one” challenge from 1983 commercial for Lays potato chips. Thin, crispy “mini me” versions of those chips from the Lays commercial, these chips are lightly sprinkled with a mild chile. They invite scooping up the moles a little at a time, a process which suited both Linda and I very well. When she chided me for spilling a drop of mole on the table, I used my finger to sop it up then licked off that one drop. That’s how highly we esteemed our sampler.
Throughout our meal I joked with our server about adding a few chapulines (grasshoppers) and hormigas (ants) to everything he was ferrying to our table, much to Linda’s consternation. As broad-minded as any epicure I know, my intrepid boss could not be talked into sampling either. Of course, that’s the case with most visitors to Oaxaca where restaurants often serve them as “botanas” (a sort of pre-meal snack). When Luciano Salazar explained that the most tasty chapulines are harvested early in the rainy season when they’re small and feed on alfalfa, Linda astutely observed that even chapulines have a terroir. NOTE: The chapulines and hormigas were available only during our inaugural visit to La Guelaguetza. The Salazar brothers don’t know if they’ll be available in the future.
Should the terms “gross” and “yuck” enter your mind after reading about chapulines and especially after seeing the five herbaceous leaf jumpers on the ramekin pictured above, your appetite might be mollified if you read how they’re prepared and served. Chapulines are seasoned with a mojo, a mixture of garlic, lime juice and salt crushed together in a molcajete (a seasoned stone mortar meticulously carved out of a single rock of vesicular basalt) then fried crisp in a little oil. By this point you’re either antsy to try them or you don’t want to learn more. Not even if I tell you that they’re nutritious and contain a high proportion of proteins and amino acids.
21 November 2019: Maybe this paragraph should also come with a cautionary warning. That’s because in addition to chapulines, our server brought us a small ramekin of hormigas (ants). Ants are considered a delicacy in Oaxaca and not just because they have a protein level similar to meat (of course it takes an entire ant colony to make a full meal). In restaurants and homes throughout Oaxaca, ants are toasted on a comal and mixed on a molcajete with chile de arbol, lime and raw garlic. I wouldn’t go far out of my way to have hormigas again, but certainly wouldn’t flick them off my plate.
In recent visits to new Mexican (as opposed to New Mexican) restaurants in the Duke City, I’ve been introduced to dishes heretofore unsampled by my learned lips. Guaca Guaca Tacos & Beer (now closed) introduced me to such Sonoran specialties as momias, caramelos and Guaca dogs. La Guelaguetza’s menu also has a number of dishes I’d never before tried as well as many familiar items common to other Mexican states. It surprised me to see so many mariscos options including such favorites as camarones aguachile, tostadas de ceviche and mojarra frita.
When she came upon the pellizcadas, Linda grew visibly excited. She fondly recalled having enjoyed them during her visits to Mexico and was eager for me to try them. It didn’t dawn on me until later that the term “pellizcadas” might have its genesis in the Spanish word for “pinching,” something I experienced frequently before corporal punishment was banned in schools. Pellizcadas are fried masa cakes with a lip “pinched” around its edge and some type of topping nestled in the middle. Pellizcadas are very similar to, but smaller than sopes.
21 November 2019: One of the two pellizcadas we shared was made with carne desebrada, shredded brisket drizzled in Mexican crema and topped with a smear of beans, queso fresco, cilantro, red onion and your choice of salsa verde or salsa roja (or both). Despite being crisp and firm, the masa is moist and redolent with the inimitable flavor of manteca (pork fat). The carne desebrada was also moist and flavorful with some edges caramelized and crispy. After discovering our shared appreciation for both Mexican crema and crème fraîche as well as our mutual disdain for whipped cream, Linda amazed me by actually knowing the differences between Mexican crema and crème fraîche (crema is runnier, thinner, and slightly sweeter than both crème fraîche and sour cream).
21 November 2019: Although the menu indicated our second pellizcada was made with chorizo, Luciano explained that the menu was in error. Instead of chorizo,the pellizcada was made with longoniza, a ground pork sausage both similar and dissimilar to chorizo. The primary difference between longoniza and chorizo is the spice mix with which the sausage is made. This spice mix varies depending on the region in which the longoniza is made. Though neither of us had an “aha, longoniza” epiphany, to our credit we didn’t think we were having chorizo.
21 November 2019: Eight tacos grace the menu: carne asada (grilled beef), chorizo (pork sausage), lengua (beef tongue), buche (pork stomach), al pastor (in the style of the shepherd), desebrada (shredded brisket), barbacoa (pit-cooked beef), and on Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays, tripitas (crisply fried pork intestines). A favorite for both of us is al pastor. In Mexico City, the meat (pork marinated in a mixture made up of vinegar, a variety of chiles, and other herbs and spices) for al pastor is cooked on a vertical much like shawarma. The meat is then shaved or cut from the spit at the point of serving. Spit-style cooking of taco meat is uncommon outside Mexico, but when done correctly the effect and flavor is similar.
La Gueleguetza’s tacos al pastor (a single corn tortilla, cubed pork, cilantro, red onions, pineapple and a squeeze of lime) could pass for spit cooked pork and you don’t even have to close your eyes to imagine that’s how they’re prepared. The contrasting flavors of savory, marinated pork and sweet pineapple work so well we gave pause to reflect on the genius who first paired pork and pineapple (although on pizza, this is a divisive coupling). Tender red onions grilled until they start to caramelize and the fresh, invigorating flavor of cilantro lend additional complementary contrast. Then there’s the squeeze of lime, just enough to cut the sweetness of the pineapple. These are some of the best tacos al pastor you’ll have north of the border.
In discussing the ascendancy of Oaxaca as a travel and culinary destination, we mentioned to Luciano that Oaxaca is widely known as the “land of seven moles.” “Eight moles,” he corrected us. We rattled off the seven we knew–Negro, Rojo, Coloradito, Amarillo, Verde, Chichilo and Manchamantel. The eighth, he explained, is mole blanco, a thickened sauce prepared with a mixture of light-colored ingredients. It’s a mole not even Diana Kennedy acknowledged, at least according to Serious Eats: “There are the seven moles of Oaxaca—and then there is mole blanco. Absent even from Diana Kennedy’s exhaustive culinary ethnography Oaxaca Al Gusto, this mole, also known as mole de novia, is a virtual unknown compared to its sister dishes.”
21 November 2019: Mole blanco is not currently on La Gueleguetza’s menu, but the three moles which do grace an extraordinary menu are Oaxaca quality paragons of deliciousness, truly worthy of my friend Bill’s “Oh, my God!” proclamation. Rather than limit myself to one singular mole, I opted for the enchiladas with mole, moist shredded chicken enrobed in corn tortillas and topped with your choice of mole–all three in my case. Though each mole has a distinct flavor profile, it’s advisable to focus on one before moving on to the other. It staves off taste bud confusion and lets you focus (probably in a dreamlike trance) on the mole at hand. Unless you have an asbestos-lined tongue, you might also want to save the mole picoso for last. More than the other moles, chiles–incendiary and angry–are what you’ll discern most. Toasted chiles are an essential ingredient in mole negro, but this, the “queen of all moles” is equal parts sweet, smoky and piquant in a delightfully complex manner. Is it any wonder The Atlantic says “Mole negro tastes like all your best memories.”
21 November 2019: Linda’s choice was Mole Oaxaqueño, a rather generic name for the dish (because as we know all the moles on La Guelaguetza’s menu are Oaxaqueño). She excluded the mole picoso leaving a hefty chicken breast covered in swoon-worthy mole negro and mole coloradito so good you’ll be tempted to lick the plate. The coloradito is composed of a variety of dried chiles, fruits, nuts and chocolate among several other ingredients. As with all moles, those ingredients renounce their individuality to coalesce into one beautiful whole. The sum is certainly greater than the parts. This is a magnificent mole, layered with flavor. It’s mysterious, intense and absolutely delicious. Lest you accuse me of laying it on as thick as the mole, the accompanying rice and beans were fairly pedestrian, not worthy of being on the same plate as the Mole Oaxaqueño.
11 December 2019: It’s been said that a restaurant’s menu is an important piece of its marketing collateral because it not only informs your current visit’s dining choices, an exciting menu entices you to return to try something else. After my inaugural visit, my friend Bruce “Sr Plata” and I were certainly enticed by the opportunity to try birria two ways. Birria is one of those terms seemingly open to interpretation. The term can (ideally) mean goat or mutton, but is sometimes used for beef or chicken. It can be used to describe a spicy consomme containing the aforementioned proteins or it can refer to the proteins themselves. We were fortunate enough to enjoy birria both ways.
First came the hearty, spicy Mexican consomme made with goat slowly-simmered with the meat still on the bone. The meat falls off and into the broth during the simmering process, rendering it incredibly tender and rich. A fiery red broth announces the presence of incendiary chiles, probably ancho and guajillo while the freshness of the chopped onions and cilantro indicate they were added just before serving. It’s the way Mexicans have been preparing birria for generations. It’s the way Sr. Plata and I enjoyed it. We also enjoyed the birria tacos we split. In this case, the birria was beef brisket as tender, moist and delicious as any brisket you’ll ever have. Served with red onions and cilantro, the tacos were absolutely outstanding.
24 September 2020: During our first visit since the world shut down in March, 2020, we literally had the restaurant to ourselves. For the entirety of our ninety minute visit, we also had Roberto Salazar, second eldest of the five brothers, to ourselves. Like his four brothers, Roberto is a gregarious host who relishes the opportunity to wow guests with great food and tremendous service. Roberto apprised me of La Guelaguetza’s most recent culinary creations, a birria pizza. If you’ve been following recent culinary trends, you’re probably aware that birria has been showcased locally in such diverse, cross-cultural ways as birria ramen and birria burgers. Birria pizza is just the latest way to demonstrate the versatility of birria.
La Guelaguetza’s birria pizza is constructed on two flour tortillas and resembles a very thick quesadilla. Roberto informed us this pizza weighs in at over two-pounds and most diners wind up taking some, if not most, of it home. A generous mound of birria is spread (piled) between the tortillas which are drizzled with crema and topped with cilantro and red onions. Some of the rich, spicy birria consomme is ladled onto the entire pizza, imparting a terra cotta tint…and because you can never get enough birria, a cup of the birria consomme is served with every pizza.
24 September 2020: The only reason we didn’t order the birria pizza is because we had already ordered the plato mixteco, an entree-sized appetizer. My Kim jokingly called it “Oaxacan charcuterie.” A manhole cover-sized platter arrived brimming with rolled up ham slices, chicharrones (pork rinds) cubes of queso fresco (fresh cheese), carne adovada, three cheese quesadillas, carne asada and best of all, three small mole enchiladas. There is a lot to like–and a lot to eat–in this oversized platter. We were able to put a dent in it, but there’s no way we could finish it, especially considering we also ordered entrees.
24 September 2020: The free and sovereign state of Oaxaca is so well known for its varied cuisine as uniquely prepared by its sixteen individual indigenous groups that many of us may not realize that Oaxaca has a significant coastline on the Pacific Ocean. It may, therefore, come as a surprise that La Guelaguetza has an extensive seafood menu. While several mariscos options caught me eye, the most intriguing may have been the shrimp fuego tropical salad (mixed greens, quinoa, avocado, cranberries, apples, pineapples, queso fresco and grilled shrimp served on a flour tortilla bowl resembling a buñuelo). The fuego (fire) comes from a pineapple salsa tinged with piquant chiles. This is a magnificent melange of sweet, tangy, piquant, fresh and savory flavors dancing merrily on your taste buds. Every bite is a surprise with every element working well together in eye-opening, mouth-watering ways.
24 September 2020: An even more artistic presentation of succulent seafood comes in the form of shrimp aguachile (a sunburst design replete with butterflied shrimp, sliced cucumbers, cilantro, red onions and in the middle, ceviche) in a sauce of lime and chiles. This is a dish that combines piquancy and tanginess to enliven very fresh and very well prepared seafood. The seafood items virtually swim in the lime juice just waiting for your fork to extract them. Roberto obviously took great care in preparing such a beautiful dish for my Kim.
21 November 2019: If the Salazar brothers chose to focus solely on life-altering mole and other savory Oxacan treasures, diners would leave fully sated, duly impressed and exclaiming “Oh, my God!” Thankfully, however, the Salazar brothers go the extra mile and serve perhaps the very best cheesecake in the Duke City. It’s one of six desserts on the menu, none of the others being the ubiquitous pastel tres leches. A very generous wedge of zesty cheesecake drizzled with chocolate and strawberry sauce is large enough to share, not that you’ll want to. The very top layer of this cheesecake is sweeter and tangier than the rest of the creamy concoction, but every spoonful is soul-satisfying. NOTE: In successive visits, the cheesecake has been unavailable. Nor were other desserts.
11 December 2019: I would certainly be remiss not to mention La Guelaguetza’s outstanding coffee made with beans grown in Oaxaca. For two caffeine fiends such as Sr. Plata and I who often lament the dearth of good restaurant coffee, Oaxacan coffee is a tremendous find. Oaxacan coffee is a rich blend with an enticing aroma with a smoky profile. La Guelaguetza uses larger coffee mugs than most restaurants and your coffee is replenished faithfully. NOTE: Oaxacan coffee has not been available at La Guelaguetza since the Cabrona Virus invaded.
15 April 2024: Although desserts were not available during two of our four visits, you can still sate your sweet tooth at La Guelaguetza. On the desayuno (breakfast) menu, you’ll find strawberry and pineapple crepes (crepas de fresas y pina). Three crepes per order topped with sweetened condensed milk are as good as many French creperies prepare them. That makes great sense. Culinary historians consider Modern Mexican cooking to be a fusion of three cuisines – indigenous, Spanish and French. My Kim enjoys everything topped with Nutella, a creamy hazelnut and chocolate decadence originated in Italy. The crepas at La Guelaguetza are everything you could want in crepes. They’re super-model thin but not at all crispy; flexible and velvety; buttery and golden. The best ones can make you cry into your fresas and Nutella.
15 April 2024: I’ve long contended that no culinary culture in the world can bake a potato as well as Mexican chefs can. Remember, we lived in the United Kingdom where most pubs showcase jacket potatoes as large as melons. Believing (misguided) that my enchiladas de mole might not fill me up, I asked for a baked potato with “all the works.” Typically in American restaurants that means sour cream and butter and in England, salad cream. The “works” at La Guelaguetza was a melange of the colors of the Mexican flag: chopped red tomatoes, green cilantro and peppers and white onions. Somewhere beneath that, there was butter and sour cream was served on the side. As with every baked potato in almost every Mexican restaurant in this side of the border, this one was terrific.
In 2022, the Salazar Brothers achieved an honor seemingly reserved for fine-dining restaurants in the swanky part of town. They were nominated for the James Beard Foundation’s “Best Chef – Southwest” accolades, becoming semifinalists. Often likened to the “Academy Awards of the Culinary World,” James Beard awards are among the most prestigious honors a restaurant can achieve. Governor Michelle Lujan-Grisham and Albuquerque Mayor Tim Keller visited La Guelaguetza to pay tribute to the Salazar Brothers.
When Luciano Salazar explained the Oaxacan tradition of La Guelaguetza, an annual celebration of indigenous culture, he emphasized that the term itself means “un regalo” or a gift. Linda and I certainly left La Guelaguetza pleasantly contented at having received the great gift of warm hospitality and great food.
La Guelaguetza
816 Coors Drive, S.W., Suite B
Albuquerque, New Mexico
(505) 916-0095
Website | Facebook Page
LATEST VISIT: 15 April 2024
1st VISIT: 21 November 2019
# OF VISITS: 4
RATING: 24
COST: $$
BEST BET: Chapulines, Hormigas, Cheesecake, Mole Oaxaqueño, Enchiladas de Mole, Taco Al Pastor, Pellizcada con Longoniza, Pellizcada de Carne Desebrada, Oaxacan Coffee, Consomme de Birria, Birria Tacos, Shrimp Aguachile, Shrimp Fuego Tropical Salad, Mixteco Plate, Crepa con Fresas Y Nutella, Papa Asada
REVIEW #1138
Happy to report that they’ve now graduated to the finals. Reminded me that I’m long overdue for a visit. What is the Hendrix song, and the wind whispers, mole…
What a tremendous day for New Mexico to see three of our premier chefs make it to the finals of the James Beard Foundation’s Best Chef-Southwest competition. The Salazar Brothers are all amazing chefs and should do very well.
Loved the Hendrix reference. He was famous for his guitar licks so it’s safe to assume he’d probably lick his plate after eating Guelaguetza’s mole.
Accolades so well deserved!
My barber and I were talking food and he recommended this place.
My wife and I were both stunned by how much we loved the food here, and after a full year in Albuquerque now, we’re not that easy to impress!
Place was almost dead empty when we went. Hopefully the accolades will bring them more business as they are more than worthy!
If you wouldn’t mind sharing what you ate, that would be great. I seem to be stuck on a couple of my favorites already, and I need a nudge to explore. Thanks!
Best of luck!!
The Salazar brothers and Guelaguetza are semifinalists for a James Beard 2022 award. Best Chef in the Southwest. That’s something we can all celebrate!
Thank you, Lynn. The list of nominees from New Mexico who made the list of semi-finalists is very impressive. The Salazar Brothers preside over what may be the very best Mexican restaurant in Albuquerque. La Guelaguetza is a real gem.
By the way, Lynn, I’m working on a review for My Moms, the new restaurant launched by Marie Yniguez, another James Beard “Best Chef – Southwest” nominee. You, in particular, should love My Moms for breakfast because Marie really knows her way around biscuits (and everything else, too).
Hi Gil,
Even though we didn’t intend to, it appears we tried much of the same platas as your inaugural visit: Mole negro
Tacos al pastor
Pellizcada (de chorizo)
and a tostada de ceviche
That plus the papas fritas (with hot sauce) left us staggering out. I especially enjoyed the pellizcada…that little crisped crimp added a textural bonus to the delicious filling! I also unexpectedly enjoyed the tostada….the shrimp and k-rab were in a tangy tomato sauce that B says is unusual in his experience of ceviches, but I really liked it a lot.
While we were there, we saw no fewer than SIX birria pizzas ordered (either carried out or eaten in). We determined that next time we’d have to give that a try! However, we *didn’t* see/hear anyone order ni chapulines ni hormigas. Maybe next time for those, too?
Hi Gil! We’re going tonight to celebrate and your review has definitely whetted my appetite…looking forward to the mole negro!!! Is there something we should NOT miss?
Hi Hannah
It’s too early for Hannahmas so I assume you’re celebrating your triumphant return to New Mexico. We’re glad to have you back. La Guelaguetza is an excellent choice for a celebration of any type.
Insofar as a recommendation, I lean toward any foods native to the Oaxaca region. The brothers Salazar can guide you through the menu and make recommendations. Don’t order anything until having enjoyed the mole sampler. You may find you prefer one of the other two moles. One thing you absolutely must have is the cheesecake. It’s the best we’ve had in New Mexico.
Please comment again after your celebration and give us your impression of my favorite Mexican restaurant in New Mexico.
Best,
Gil
I gave the wrong name of the restaurant that I just mentioned. It is La Fonda del Bosque, and they call their food Latin Fusion. Some high points: Wild mushroom Chile relleno, Chinese BBQ duck quesadillas, S.W. steak salad, crepe of the day, Churros with chocolate sauce.
The bad news: Closed until the Covid is resolved.
Thank you, Jeff. Readers can find my review of La Fonda del Bosque here.
Hi.
Another unusual Mexican restaurant is Las Delicias, on Osuna West gof San Mateo, in the strip center North of Osuna. They have several dishes not otherwise found here. My favorite is the Chile en Nogada. Like a Chile Relleno but stuffed with Meat and currants, topped with a cream sauce.
Not much English is spoken, and service is slow, but definitely worth a try.
Bosque Del Sol , north of Hispanic Cultural Center is great, if it has reopened. Best lunch spot in town, and I don’t say that lightly. Unusual dishes, great ambiance.
Thank you, Jeff. Readers can find my review of Las Delicias here. Like you my very favorite dish at Las Delicias is chile relleno en nogada. It is a fabulous dish!
So much in the original article and later discussion about Diana Kennedy. I’ve spent a lot of time (literally hundreds of hours) with her cookbooks … they are also literally royal pain in the whatsits. Not saying she she doesn’t know what she’s talking about but I’ve never been impressed by her abilities as a cook. She always struck me as being a slavish recipe cataloger. She insists upon lots of painstaking procedures that make virtually no sense (at least not to an experienced cook). I remember what a breath of fresh air it was when I first opened up Authentic Mexican by Bayless. Clear, forthright … gives the traditional and discusses it, then gives modern variations if you want. DK’s trashing of Bayless is semi-incredible and unkind. It’s almost as if she worries about her place as the “great authority”. Bayless has a Michelin star (you don’t get this without being one heck of a cook, awards up the wazoo, PBS expositor of Mexican cuisine and he is viewed as somewhat “less than” Diana. In my opinion, that is just laughable. I used to get down to Chicago from time to time and eat at the Frontera Grill. I’ve met Bayless a few times … a super nice humble man … the sort of opposite of DK.
Anyway, the Oaxacan moles described really pique my interest. I remember spending a entire day doing a mole negro … the manchamanteles is MUCH easier and I still do it from time to time. The Oaxacan moles by themselves are one of the culinary treasures of the planet. The pictures look great (except for the insects). I wonder what Diana Kennedy would think of (normally I wouldn’t care but again the review makes such a big deal about her):
1) Oaxacan Pizza served over a base of flour tortillas? (I suspect such a concept might actually KILL Diana Kennedy.)
2) Birria being served in an ostensibly Oaxacan restaurant? It’s Jaliscan right? Oh well.
We had our first birria at Guelaguetza and it was really, really good. It came with four tacos plus the broth. I struggled to eat three and Zee ate two. We took the rest home and had them a day or so later. They still were very good.
There were a couple of other parties when we went but the service and friendliness were very good. All in all, a great place to eat.
I’m so glad you and Zee enjoyed Guelaguetza. It’s become my very favorite Mexican restaurant for its fabulous Oaxacan cuisine and hospitality. Make sure to try the cheesecake next time. Show your server the picture from my review so they’ll prepare it exactly as they do for us–with strawberries and chocolate. It is sooooo good!
Grasshoppers are served with lime, cilantro and white onion. Red and green sauce on the side. And warm corn tortillas to wrap it all up. Marvelous, just a touch salty with citrus notes — and that resounding crunch. The bugs were a highlight of our visit to Oaxaca and this dish brought back great memories. We cleaned the plate with one of the brothers cheering us on. Friendly place. Menu only in Spanish — gotta love that.
The best mole of my experience was not in Oaxaca, but Mole De Los Dioses in SoCal, an aptly named joint beloved by Jonathan Gold. These sauces came close. Great find, Gil.
Thank you, Glenn. Since I published the review of La Guelaguetza it’s consistently been one of the three most visited reviews every day but one. Despite the volume of visits, only two commenters have indicated they actually visited this Oaxacan gem and thus far, you are the only one to admit to having had the grasshoppers.
I’ve always believed most people intrepid enough to try grasshoppers or ants are either really adventurous or do so on a dare the first time. Thereafter, they have them because they’re delicious. I salute you.
It’s rare that I say “I really want to go back and have more Mexican food” as Mexican food is not real high in my cuisine favs but this little place was amazing. It was great food and having the opportunity to try 3 types of Mole and brisket tacos was extraordinary. This place I would make it a must for you FOGers out there. I am glad Gil joined me since my Spanish was rusty and here you are transformed to a different world. Our waiter who was a part owner was very kind to let us try some goat soup. I heard Beeel ( 1 of his many alias M.O.’s) loves this place. That explains it all. Anyways, Merry Christmas & Happy Chanukah to All! Sr Plata out.
Becky, this post by Gil is a master class in its subjects. It is culinary ignorance on my part that I have never read (or heard) of Diana Kennedy. My segue from “Mexican food” in Northern California growing up to “Mexican regional cuisines” was the year I spent working in Chicago right around the corner from Rick Bayless’s flagship restaurant Frontera Grill. How would you compare and contrast Kennedy’s work with Bayless’s?
Tom, you always ask the tough questions!
Before I forget, that Rogue Creamery Smokey Blue is growing on me and I’d buy it again. I’m still hoping to find the regular Rogue blue when I go to the market this week.
So, back to Kennedy versus Bayless. I had to chuckle when I saw your question because the formidable Diana Kennedy has made no secret of her opinion of Bayless and others when it comes to “Authentic Mexican food”. The woman is a “purist” in the narrowest sense of the word. She has spent years researching historic recipes in Mexico as well as foraging for ingredients and often growing her own. She brooks no deviation and rejects all other “interpretations” including just about everything we know in the U.S. as Mexican food – Rick Bayless included. Kennedy does not consider evolving cuisine as “authentic” by any stretch of the imagination. I greatly admire her work because it records and documents the true provenance of Mexican cooking. With that said, many of her recorded recipes are just simply not practical to the majority of people – nor would they necessarily be appreciated. I’ve followed her work since it began – I have most of her books and I can tell you this: to really understand Diana Kennedy and Mexican cooking, you should read everything you can find about her and study her books.
When you mentioned Kennedy and Bayless, I remembered a bit of a skirmish several years ago and luckily I found a brief mention of it here: https://www.eater.com/2011/1/12/6702301/diana-kennedy-on-rick-bayless-white-house-dinners
I do not reject the work of Bayless who has also done a lot of research and has adapted many dishes to modern day tastes and more easily accessible ingredients. I have a few of his books and have tried a number of his recipes with great success. With that said, he is not the researcher that Kennedy is.
Anyway, here are some good links that I think you’ll like:
This article is written by the daughter of Robb Walsh, a chef and author of a number of Tex-Mex cookbooks: http://www.latinomagazine.com/fall2012/features/mexfood.htm
https://www.houstoniamag.com/articles/2013/10/28/diana-kennedy-october-2013
https://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2011/01/11/AR2011011103354_2.html
Caution – this contains language that may be offensive: https://www.vice.com/en_us/article/gvmea3/youre-eating-fake-tortillas-and-diana-kennedy-is-pissed-about-it
Becky, thank you so much for your generous links. Read them all. Particularly liked what Robb Walsh’s daughter, Katie Walsh, had to say. What a dedicated person Diana is, a one-woman preservation society! Could you suggest a first book of hers for me to start? Or should I start at the first station of the cross, “The Cuisines of Mexico?”
Evidently, there’s a documentary coming out next year on her called “Nothing Fancy.” Had you heard?
https://www.imdb.com/title/tt9617484/?ref_=nv_sr_srsg_0
Tom, you’re welcome. Gee, I thought the Kennedy documentary had been released a while back but I guess it was only the premiere. We’ll have to watch for it.
I’d say you could start with any of her books although I’m sort of inclined to start with the earliest publication and work forward. Unfortunately, a number of the older books are out of print and pretty pricey. Since Oaxacan cuisine is finally becoming available and popular, you might just want to jump into Oaxaca al Gusto in preparation for enjoying some mole at La Guelaguetza. I see it’s also pretty pricey on Amazon – maybe you could get a copy from the library before you jump into purchasing it.
Hey Gil,
Thanks for all the background information. I’ve added this restaurant to my list, though I am not quite sure about the grasshoppers. I am looking forward to eating the dishes you’ve highlighted.
Cheers,
Alonna