These spots aren’t as well known as your Red Iguanas, Mi Vida Buena, Sol Agave, Chile Tepin, Monarca, La Frontera, Santo Taco and such, but they are all well worth an excursion north of SLC.
Maria’s Mexican Restaurant is located in the former space of a restaurant in South Ogden that I loved: Elio Scanu’s much-missed Zucca Ristorante. Maria’s is a colorful spot that does a solid lunch and dinner business and where, as the sign near the hostess stand says, “Mi Casa es su Casa.”
As with many of the restaurants in this article, Maria’s meals begin with complimentary chips and salsa. Platters like Maria’s Mole, Puntas de Filete, Carne Asada Plate, and the Pampiqueña Plate are popular, as are the street-style tacos. My wife especially likes the grilled chicken tacos, served on a double corn tortilla with refried pinto beans, lettuce, tomato, red onion, cilantro, radish guacamole and limes.
Maria’s Chile Verde Burrito
As for me, I like the Chile Verde and Chile Colorado platters, and especially the chunky Chile Verde Burrito with rice, beans, and homemade flour tortillas, smothered with queso. Maria’s is also open for breakfast, and you can’t go wrong with Huevos Rancheros or Chilaquiles (served all day).
Carnitas Michoacan Tacos
Another Ogden favorite of ours is Carnitas Michoacan restaurant which, as you might guess, specializes in carnitas – tacos, platters, and also sold by the pound. The menu is daunting, with dozens of dishes ranging from tortas, tacos, burritos, and enchiladas, to huaraches, quesadillas, salads, soups, and seafood items like caldo de pescado and octopus and shrimp cocktails, and much more. I’m particularly fond of the carnitas and carne asada tacos at Carnitas Michoacan.
Carnitas Michoacan Pozole
The homemade soups and stews at Carnitas Michoacan are simply awesome. They offer Menudo, Caldo de Pescado, 7 Mares (a rich seafood broth with seven types of seafood including crab legs, shrimp, octopus, and more), plus a rich, savory birria stew. But my favorite is the huge bowl of Pozole – tender hominy and chunks of stewed pork in a rich, red chile broth, served with shredded cabbage and limes.
Before leaving Ogden, I would be remiss if I didn’t mention my favorite taco shop there: Taqueria La Tapatia. One of the keys to the excellent street-style tacos at La Tapatia is that the tortillas here are made by hand, in-house, which adds flavor and texture that’s too often lacking elsewhere.
Taqueria La Tapatia Tacos
Tacos options at Taqueria La Tapatia include a really great chile verde taco, al pastor, carne asada, cabeza, pork carnitas, and barbacoa. The homemade corn tortillas are topped with generous portions of meat and priced very inexpensively.
Burrito Grande Chile Verde Burrito
Over in Roy, you’ll find tacos, enchiladas, tostadas, tortas, chimichangas, entrees and more at Burrito Grande. But the main reason for a ride to Roy is Burrito Grande’s burritos, as you might have guessed. The Chile Verde Burrito smothered with scrumptious pork nuggets in a green chile sauce with melted cheese is simply awesome and, yes – grande!
Cafe Sabor
I wouldn’t call it the most “authentic” Mexican fare, but for stick-to-the-ribs Tex-Mex type cuisine, Cafe Sabor at Layton’s Frontrunner Station is a good choice. Cafe Sabor is located in the building that for many years was home to Doug & Emmy’s family-style restaurant. It’s a spot where you can enjoy a cold brew and a Margarita out on the patio as you peruse the extensive menu.
Cafe Sabor Spicy Shrimp Tacos
Tacos, burritos, chimichangas, fajitas and enchiladas seem to be the biggest crowd-pleasers at Cafe Sabor, and we really like the Spicy Shrimp Tacos, topped with fresh cilantro, queso fresco, cabbage, avocado, lime and pico de gallo. Customers can choose mild, medium, or spicy. Other seafood dishes at Cafe Sabor include Camarones a la Diabla, Mango Shrimp, Grilled Salmon, Shrimp Enchiladas, and Camarones Mexicanos.
Cafe Sabor Combination Plate
I typically order a combination plate at Cafe Sabor, such as the Enchilada and Taco combo which includes rice and beans with melted queso for a mere $12.
Cafe Sabor Chips & Salsa
Appetizers like Shrimp Ceviche, Carne Asada Fries, Taquitos, and Tropical Shrimp Tostadas are good Cafe Sabor appetizers, but you can’t beat the chips and salsa here – they are so, so good and FREE!
Orlando’s Strawberry Chicken Salad
Just down the road from Layton on Main Street in Kaysville is another terrific Mexican eatery called Orlando’s Mexican Restaurant where my wife absolutely loves their Strawberry Chicken Salad. It’s a generous serving of chopped romaine lettuce topped with shredded chicken, sliced strawberries, sugared almonds, red and blue corn tortilla strips, and served with a tasty honey-poppyseed dressing.
Orlando’s Smothered Pork Chile Verde Burrito
Since Orlando’s is often very busy with a waitlist for tables, we tend to get takeout there to enjoy at home. My go-to menu item is the outstanding Smothered Pork Chile Verde Burrito. It’s a large flour tortilla stuffed with Orlando’s excellent homemade pork chile verde, topped with more chile verde, melted cheese, and served with Spanish rice and cheesy refried beans. Other house specialties include Honey-Lime Chicken Flautas, Roasted Chile Relleno, Navajo Tacos, and the popular Fajita Burger.
Lorena’s Smothered Chile Verde Burrito & Tamale
Now, I’ve written about this restaurant before, but when I want my favorite Chile Verde Smothered Burrito and a tasty Tamale with creamy refried beans and Mexican rice alongside, my first choice is Lorena’s Mexican Restaurant in Woods Cross. You just can’t beat it for flavor, friendliness, and pricing.
Do you have a favorite spot for Mexican fare? Tell us about it!
Photos by Ted Scheffler
Culinary quote of the week:“I’m convinced that anyone who doesn’t like Mexican food is a psychopath.” – Jim Gaffigan
Feature Image: Maria’s Grilled Chicken Street Tacos
