Guadalajara is not regarded as a center of Mexican cuisine, but there is one food for which the city is famous... "torta ahogada", a drowned sandwich. You may remember that earlier this year I went to a restaurant in Mexico City that specializes in "tortas ahogadas". A sour dough bread with a crunchy crust is cut open, filled with shredded pork and dunked into a mild tomato sauce or a spicy salsa made with the fiery "chile de arbol".
On Sunday, after our day of exploring Guadalajara, we were looking on Google Maps for a restaurant. We agreed upon a place called Restaurante La Chata which was just a short walk from our hotel.
As you can see at the right side of the photo, there was a line waiting for a table. We took that as a sign that the food was good, and we got in line.
The cooks were in plain sight at the entrance, busily preparing the meals for the crowds of patrons.
The line moved quickly, and we did not have to wait long to be seated at a table. The tables are jammed close together to fit as many people as possible.
To start, we ordered something that is not from Guadalajara but is found on menus throughout the country... "caldo tlalpeño", a chicken soup that is named after Tlalpan, one of the boroughs of Mexico City. Alejandro and I have a running joke about "caldo tlalpeño". Once when we were actually in Tlalpan, we ordered the soup, and it was terrible. The broth was tasteless and there was very little in the soup. Now whenever we order "caldo tlalpeño", we say "Mmmm, it's better than in Tlalpan." Well, this soup was not only better than in Tlalpan, it was perhaps the best that we have had anywhere. It was thick with vegetables, rice and shredded chicken. We were off to a good start.
Both of us then ordered the "torta ahogada". I liked the one I had in Mexico City, but this was definitely better. The pork inside the sandwich was so flavorful. It was served in the mild tomato sauce, but a bowl of the hot sauce was put on the table. I spooned some sparingly onto the sandwich.
On the dessert menu there was something called "jericalla". I asked Alejandro what it was, and he said it's a custard similar to flan. It is made with eggs, milk, sugar, vanilla and cinnamon. Legend has it that it was invented by the nuns at the Hospicio Cabañas to serve to the orphans. It was good, although I think I prefer flan.
If we should ever have to come to Guadalajara again, we will definitely return to La Chata to eat.
There is a really good French restaurant in Guadalajara. I referred another couple to it and they enjoyed it very much. Sorry, right now I can't remember the name. Some of the best restaurants are out in Tlaquepaque - a really fun, walking area of shops and restaurants.
ReplyDeleteSorry, Barbara, but we will not be returning to Guadalajara unless we have to for a family event. I was talking to my cleaning lady today. She told me that she cleans the apartment of a lady who used to live in Guadalajara. She said the city has become so bad in the last few years that she moved to Mexico City. The majority of the people sleeping on the sidewalks are drug addicts. You should be thankful that you did not decide to retire in Guadalajara.
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