Saturday, January 10, 2004

Buenos Tage I finally reventured into a Mexican food restaurant here in Germany.  Back when I first arrived in the area, Carol took me to a place called Cantina Mexicana.  I remember having enchiladas and that's about it.  At the time I had lots of other concerns on my mind and really didn't pay too much attention to the food.  This afternoon I decided to return to Cantina Mexicana, just west of Kaiserslautern, and this time take notes. The place is nice enough looking on the inside.  Lots of Mexican artifacts and whatnot scattered about.  Best decorations are the sombrero lamps hanging above the tables.  I think those are great. As you can tell from the photo above, I pretty much had the place to myself when I got there, though shortly after it filled up, primarily with a retirement party held at the long table on the right.  Ok, back to what I came for:  I was starving, so I went for an appetizer.  I had an order of regular nachos topped with jalapeños.  It didn't taste bad, though the jalapeños and salsa they gave me were not spicy at all.  The salsa was more like marinara sauce.  Next time I'll pack my own condiments. After having about half the nachos, the fajitas arrived.  Now according to the restaurant's menu and advertising, Cantina Mexicana is the home of sizzling fajitas.  That's right.  Not Spain.  Not Mexico.  Not Central or South America.  Not even Texas.  They originated right here in western Germany.  Who'da thunk? Ludicrous advertising aside, the fajitas did come out sizzling and smothered in onions and green peppers.  The meat was very tender and cut into bite-size pieces.  It didn't taste all that much like the fajitas I've been used to, though.  Tasted mainly like chinese pepper steak.  Wasn't bad.  Just not what I was expecting. The menu stated that the fajitas would come with three 6" tortillas.  Well, contain your jealousy, but I got four.  And one was at least seven inches.  I knew that waitress was taking a shine to me. And yes, Cantina Mexicana does serve tortillas by the inch.  You can order them in small, medium, or large sizes.  Next time I'll order two of each. Just as I was wrapping up, a couple of co-workers from Baumholder, Joan and Heidi, came in with a friend for lunch.  Small freakin' country this Germany is.  Can't get away from work no matter how hard you try! So there you have it -- the German Mexican food experience.  There are a few other Mexican places around, Taco Bell aside, that I'll be sure the check out in the coming months.  On the whole, Cantina Mexicana isn't a bad place at all.  Just don't go there looking for spicy food.  Or to get away from the Baumholder American High School English department. Related site: Cantina Mexicana:  official site of the home of sizzling fajitas. 2:43:37 PM     |

© Copyright 2005 Alex L. Mauldin.