We’ve arrived at Part 5 of my journey to find the perfect place to eat chips and salsa in Utah. This leg took me to a charming Salt Lake City neighborhood, an unassuming spot in Millcreek, and the west side of I-15, which, admittedly, I have not frequented nearly enough for someone who claims to be on the hunt for great Mexican food.
Another reminder, my rubric is as follows:
- I’m looking for a sit-down restaurant. Meaning, I want a place where a hostess will lead me and my party to a table, hand us all menus, and set out chips and salsa. I need a large Diet Coke, preferably in a giant red cup.
- While chips and salsa are what I’m focused on most, the entrees obviously need to be good, because if I’m going to return to this place often, I want to have a great meal every time, not just a great appetizer.
- Even though my personal go-to will need to be in Salt Lake County, where I live, I’m trying spots all over the state to best inform readers.
Mi Buena Vida is located on the corner of 1500 South and 1500 East in Salt Lake City, next door to Caputo’s and across the street from The King’s English Bookshop in one of the city’s most charming neighborhoods.
I met a friend there for lunch on the patio, and nearly as soon as we were seated, our waiter appeared with chips and salsa.
The salsa served with the chips had a smoky flavor that was unique but not overwhelming. A salsa bar inside the restaurant offered a wide variety of other salsas in various flavors, including a bright pico and a green, creamy situation. Both were delicious. The chips were nice and sturdy, and seasoned with Tajin — a mixture of lime, salt and chili powder.
I ordered the chicken tostadas. When they arrived at the table, I was surprised by two things — the chicken and the greens. I was expecting shredded chicken, the kind found in what some might describe as “slop,” a texture that is neither remarkable nor discernable. But instead, the chicken had been cut into bite-sized pieces, seasoned and sauteed in a pan, making each piece a delightful forkful. I had also been expecting shredded iceberg lettuce, typical of most tostadas I’ve had; instead, what I got were pieces of dark, leafy lettuce gently placed atop the mound of chicken, then topped with sour cream, cotija cheese and vibrant, red tomatoes. The tostadas also came with a side salad, a gently dressed bowl of the greens, some cherry tomatoes and cheese.
Mexican food for lunch is often a risky proposition for anyone who hopes to be productive in the afternoon hours and not fall victim to a cheese and bean coma. To be clear, I love that kind of Mexican food experience. It just doesn’t always align with what I need to get done in a day.
Mi Buena Vida for lunch, however, was, dare I say, invigorating? Nourishing? The portions were filling without being obscene, and the bounty of veggies on the plate made the experience feel fresh and delicious.
My friend ordered a taco salad, which she described as good but not mind-blowing, which is so often the case when it comes to taco salads.
Lunch for the two of us came out to $48, including two Diet Cokes and a tip.
Katrina’s Mexican Restaurant and Cantina is located at 3041 E. 3300 South in Millcreek. The exterior is pretty underwhelming but the interior is clean and bright.
My family was with me for this dinner and my 10-year-old turned to me and said, “Here’s what you should write — the chips are really good and the salsa is really spicy.” Indeed, the chips were great, which in our book means they required no additional salt, and the salsa was one of the spicier varieties we’ve tried so far.
Our Diet Cokes arrived in large, plastic cups and came garnished with a lime without us having to ask. Miracles happen every day, if only we have eyes to see them.
For my meal, I ordered the taco and enchilada combination. I was struck with how good the shell of the taco was. Lightly fried but not aggressively greasy. The flavor of the chicken in the taco had depth that suggested a low and slow cooking process. The enchilada was more mole-flavored than I had anticipated. Which isn’t a bad thing, it just took me by surprise.
It felt like a spot that would become a go-to for my family if we lived just a little closer.
The meal for five of us totaled just around $100, including drinks and tip.
Over the course of this journey, I’ve been gently chided for not spending more time on the west side of the freeway, the area known for having the best Mexican food in the state. So I decided to try one of the West Valley City recommendations. And on the way, I remembered why I haven’t spent a lot of time out there — because it took 50 minutes to drive to La Casa Del Tamal at 2843 S. 5600 West in West Valley City.
But had I known what awaited me in La Casa Del Tamal, I would have made the drive long ago.
My family and I arrived just before 6 and there was a line out the door. On a Tuesday evening.
You know those moments when you realize you’ve stumbled into something great that will probably change the entire trajectory of your life? That’s what it felt like walking into La Casa Del Tamal.
I could immediately tell it was on the fancier end of the places I’ve tried so far, if not THE fanciest. A fact that, had I known prior, would have made me think twice about bringing my 6-year-old. But we had driven 50 minutes to get there and there was no turning back.
After a 30-minute wait and much bribing to get said 6-year-old to mind his manners, we were seated and met with two baskets of chips and three different types of salsa — a salsa roja, a smoky variation and a tomatillo. The chips were fantastic, and all the salsas were good, but the tomatillo was the best.
The weakest part of the experience was the Diet Coke, which tasted like the off-brand K Cola that is often served at bars. But the food made up for what my beverage lacked.
I ordered the enchiladas roja, which came served with cotija cheese, sour cream and avocado slices. And they were magnificent. A little smoky, rich, but not stodgy. They were so magnificent that I took what I couldn’t eat home in a box, something I never do because I find it humiliating. But I couldn’t bear to think of those perfect enchiladas going uneaten.
The rest of my family enjoyed their meals to the same degree — my 6-year-old implored everyone at the table to try the french fries that came with his quesadilla because “they’re sooooo good.” My pickiest eater ate her entire plate of birria tacos and we all enjoyed the variety of tamales we tried as appetizers.
We enjoyed our meal so much that we assumed dessert would also be delicious and we were correct — we shared a slice of flan that was impossibly silky and had the perfect caramel flavor.
It was a humbling experience, and one that made me realize I need to continue driving further to truly find the best chips and salsa in the state. And so the journey continues.