In case my previous themes of affordability and deliciousness were too subtle for you, I bring you this: an article composed of cheap and tasty morsels (commonly referred to as ‘appetizers’ or in Latin ‘nibblus minimus’) from around the globe but conveniently located at a restaurant near you!
Ah, Mexico. Upon hearing this term one may think of Cancun, another of an amazing mariachi tune, but alas, it is time to rethink your Mexican assumptions. When you hear “Mexico” from now on, I want your first thought to be “excellent chips and salsa.” That’s right, I said it. While I may have regretted the decision afterward, I have never met a sombrero full of chips I didn’t like. Guadalajara Mexican Restaurant, located on Cypress after Bechelli, is one such home for these tasty tidbits. Although almost every restaurant boasts a similar item on their menus, Guadalajara is going to get this writer’s vote. The chips are slim and salty yet hearty enough to withstand the immense pressure that is exerted upon them as they are dragged through salsa. The basket was promptly replaced upon being discovered empty and the charming little stone bowls of salsa seemed to never run dry. The salsa is of a thicker variety than average though very well minced which creates a satisfying enveloping of flavor upon consumption, as opposed to salsa with large chunks that must be navigated and destroyed before said flavor can be released. Yes sir, Guadalajara knows their chips and salsa. Additionally, they are quite cheap (okay, free as long as you order a food or drink item as well).
What compliments our neighbor to the south like our cousin to the southwest? Nothing like a Bloomin’ Onion to hit that spot, mate! Outback, one of Redding’s nicer chain venues, boasts this baby. I’m not calling it a baby affectionately; it is actually baby-sized. You could use the carpool lane with this thing in your passenger seat (if there were one here). A “special onion is carved by a bloomologist” (as per the menu) and fried to perfection in one of the tastiest batters to ever cross this palate. Accompanied by a surprisingly delicious--albeit secret--dipping sauce dubbed ‘bloom sauce’ (someone get these blokes a thesaurus) they did not disappoint. Even though I had to bring it home and reheat it twice to finally conquer this monstrous dish, I never regretted the $5.99 it cost me nor the awesome Aussie accent it caused me to speak in.
Cool Hand Luke’s on Churn Creek provided me with some distinctly homegrown fare. Baked Potato Skins (can you get more American?) arrived, smothered in cheese, almost as fast as I ordered them. What appeared to be your typical baked potato turned into a surprisingly hearty snack. Melted cheese covered their steaming surface and hid green onions, campfire beans (Luke’s signature, it appears), steak bits, butter, and of course potato. Additionally, a whopping helping of sour cream was served on the side. My only complaint with these tasty taters were their numbers. Three Baked Potato Skins arrived on the platter, which of course meant my accomplice and I had to fight it out to determine who got the extra. Luckily, Cool Hand Luke’s is saloon themed so we just flipped over some tables, drew our pistols, and settled it the old-fashioned way. A small slightly cross-eyed boy observed from under a swinging saloon door while chewing a peppermint stick. He kept crying out for someone named ‘Shane’ too, for some reason. In spite of the showdown at high noon, the appetizer was worth it and priced under $10.
My apologies if a favorite nation of yours was left out of this tour de flavor but let’s face it, this is Redding and I am fearful of the unknown, especially if it’s going in my mouth.
