OK, I realize Mexican food is not American but, well, obviously Mexican. However, it is a large part of my American experiences. In my rural upbringing, the only authentically “ethnic” foods I ever had were Chinese and Mexican. Living in Southern California for the past four years, I had Mexican food probably four times a week, and while teaching in East L.A., I had it twice a day. Thus, now away from the U.S., I so much crave greasy Mexican food. I miss everything from fresh homemade guacamole to La Casa Grande enchiladas to Chano’s quesadillas.
On my last day in Beijing a couple of weeks ago, I found out there were actually a few Mexican restaurants in the city; an American invited me to join her and her friends at one of them for margaritas. Sadly, my phone died on the day’s hike, and I missed her call shortly before passing out from exhaustion. And after being told I likely wouldn’t find a Mexican restaurant in any of the cities left on my China list, I resigned myself to being sans pico de gallo for a while. Yesterday, though my pico de gallo slump ended.
After having some not-so-good experiences with the local food in Xi’an, I was excited to spot a pizza joint down below during my 14-kilometer walk around the top of the city wall. Stretching my legs as I skimmed the menu, I saw one little word of happiness on the fifth page of the menu: “quesadilla.”
When the small, stuffed double tortillas came, I didn’t care that the veggies in it were a bit of an odd mix or that the tomatoes in the pico de gallo were a little less fresh. With my quesadilla and “made in U.S.A.” Tabasco sauce, I was pretty darn happy.
Wow! Are these restaurants typically Chinese owned???
I think the ones in Beijing are Mexican-owned. This one was staffed by Chinese, though. It’s like the opposite of my favorite Redondo Beach Chinese restaurant; one of the cooks at that restaurant is a Jewish Mexican guy.
i’m glad you found your quesadilla. i notice some delicious parmesan cheese as well.
I love that you take pictures of your food just like me!!!! it’s nice to remember a good meal. ha. I took pictures of most of my meals in hawaii and posted them to my blog. love it.
how much longer are you in China? we miss you! (especially since I am off to vegas tomorrow in your stead…darn you…hee)
Jayna -
I love the “Tabasco”-picture! Great shot!
Sad, that you had bad experiences with Xi`An food – I should have given you some adresses, as they have some fantastic homemade noodle-specialities!
But I envy you having tortillas!
You know how much Qhd is a western-food-desert
Oh Jayna, I promise I will eat Mexican in your honor at least four times a week starting right now. It will be easier when they finish building the Chipotle two blocks from my house.
Miss you!
Hey!
Stumbled across your site and I’ve got to ask you – where is this mexican restaurant? What is the name?
love ur blog
big love
Nicola
xx
It’s South of the old city (if I remember correctly…it was almost a year ago!). I think it’s the SW corner outside the city walls. Hope you can find it!
And welcome to the blog, too!