Plodding along again on my 16in16 quest (yes, I've upped the ante from 12in12) of trying 16 new-to-me places this year. All must be local (vacations don't count) and someplace that I have never been before. This time we headed up to a place in Edwardsville, IL that was recently converted from a throwback arcade and bar into a fresh ingredient Mexican (I'm going to use the word) fusion place.
As usual I went along with my love, Gene. I honestly was a little prepared not to like it. I have my favorite Mexican place already. It's authentic, it's warm, it's local, it's all the things I love about dining out. I am pleased to say I didn't get my way. Even better, it was about WAY more than the food.
A local restaurant, at it's best, is someone opening their home and passion to you. Their life, love, and time is wrapped up in this effort that most of us take for granted every day. Maybe growing up with a mom who used food as a way to make everyone who entered her home feel comfortable, safe, and accepted has given me a grandiose idea of the power of food. It's not just in the eating it. It's in the sharing it, the excuse it gives you to linger in conversation, the joy that it brings someone. In a lot of ways it makes me think of Christ. He always met the smaller physical need first. It allowed Him a way to meet the greater spiritual need. Food is healing the blind man. I firmly believe that when God designed our bodies one of the most miraculous gifts he gave us was the ability to taste and feel our food. It could have been manna from the start, but instead he gave us flavors, textures, and smells. Our body and our souls need food. “Taste and See that the Lord is Good.” Psalm 34:8
Catrinas boasts of being "More than just food" and that's exactly how I'd describe them. They boast farm fresh, never frozen, prepared-on-site Mexican food. They should also boast about their staff. Every one of them seemed to hold the same passion for the food and the dream as the owner and chef, both of whom graced the dining room, along with adorable little children, which never hurts. When our host came to visit with us he expressed that a lot of new patrons don't think that Catrina's is real deal Mexican at all. I know exactly why. I searched the menu up and down, front to back and didn't see the words queso, burrito, or chimichanga anywhere.  |
| Very Generous portion of the delectable Octopus Salad |
They also offered pastas and chicken wings, which I'll admit doesn't seem the most Mexican food to me either. But it all comes down to flavors and ingredients. Those chicken wings are worth the trip all by themselves. They've kept it simple and packed the flavors in without feeling the need to cater to the Con Queso crowd. You can get typical American-Mexican food in a dozen different places here, but I have yet to see a menu with octopus salad and chicharones. Not to mention that they make dang fine margaritas from house-made mixes and simple syrups.
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| Mushroom Broth Soup is deceptively rich and hearty |
I was so incredibly and pleasantly surprised by the octopus salad. My only advice would be to either raise the price or cut the portion. This is true of most of their dishes, the value far outweighs what you're paying. But let me talk to you about the soup of the day which was a mushroom broth soup. It's like a hug from your mom when you were three, if your mom were just a little chubby and had pillowy bosoms. It's deceptively simple, just broth, herbs and mushrooms, but the flavors it packs are deep and rich. I admit to just taking a few sips so that I could bring the rest home and enjoy it when I'm all alone and in need of comfort...and so I'd have room for churros. Their churros aren't what you would normally expect. Instead of long waffled sticks they’re like little bite-sized doughnut holes with your choice of chocolate or caramel for dipping. The caramel was not the kind you find on the store shelves that you pour over ice cream. It's the kind that reminded me of my childhood in Mexico. It was thick, slightly tangy, and tasted like winning the lottery.
I think we spent as much time visiting with the staff and owner as we did eating. Our conversation was initiated by Gene, who is less shy than I am, and I am thankful to him for that. He'll talk to anyone about anything, and I usually learn something in the process. Speaking with the people that make and serve the food you're enjoying makes it tastier somehow. Food is love and Catrina's is a Valentine.
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