As I mentioned briefly in this blog, I think that food is an integral part of understanding and enjoying a culture. The good stuff (and the bad stuff) changes with every mile that you drive, every state line that you cross, and every ocean that you hop; we always try to avoid major chains when traveling, just to get a taste of that particular area we happen to be in.
All that being said, Dona Ana County is lucky enough to be blessed with the right climate and elevation to grow one of the most heavenly vegetables: Hatch Chile. There is no doubt that both green and red chile are essential parts of New Mexico’s diet, culture, history, and economy. Aside from providing a constant, steady stream of revenue to our county and state, red and green chile flavors dishes for every meal time (dessert included!).
Here in Las Cruces, almost every single restaurant lists “green chile” as an addition to essentially any menu item. At every New Mexican restaurant, there are two things you should know before the waitress arrives at your table: what number your favorite is on the menu, and ‘red, green, or Christmas?’ Despite Las Cruces having over 50 Mexican restaurants to choose from, each one brings a different touch to the essential classics every Mexican restaurant must have. There are, however, two Mexican restaurants that have surpassed the competition and stood the test of time.
Si Senor Restaurant is relatively new to Las Cruces, going strong on eight years, but the first of the Si Senor Restaurants has been in Deming for over 25. With a full-service cantina (bar) on the upscale side and an in-house tortilla factory, Si Senor has food and an ambiance that’s hard to top. Great Happy Hour specials and a special attention to detail ensures that Si Senor is packed almost every night.
La Posta de Mesilla is nestled in the heart of the historic village of Mesilla, which is a short 10 minute drive from most Las Cruces locations. La Posta has deep roots in New Mexico history, having been around since the mid 1800’s, and has a location and atmosphere that’s hard to top. With shopping right in the lobby, along with exotic birds and numerous historical displays, there is always something to enjoy at La Posta.
One other Las Cruces area restaurant that needs to be mentioned is Lorenzo’s de Mesilla. Also located in Mesilla, Lorenzo’s prides itself on being authentic Italian restaurant, with the right food and the right ambiance. The pastas, salads, pizzas, and bread are all to die for, and they also have a great wine and beer list. They wouldn’t be a New Mexican restaurant if they didn’t have chile on the menu somewhere, and trust me, they do.
I’m sure if you’ve been to our area or live here, you probably agree that are many more great food choices. I decided to write about these three because they’re local, historic, and essential to the Las Cruces experience. Look for more blogs about the integral parts of New Mexico’s culture, including food!
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Evelyn Bruder: CRS, GRI, ABR, E-PRO, Las Cruces Cyberstar
The Evelyn Bruder Dream Team http://www.homesforsaleinlascruces.com
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