Border Busters

Man, we really like Mexican food, and there is plenty of it in the Mid-South.   We've anxiously been awaiting the opening of Frida's on Madison where the old Zinnie's East was.  When we went, it had only been open a week, and as expected, it was crowded and chaotic.  But overall, the wait wasn't too bad, and the service was decent, especially considering all that was going on.

First thing you notice about Fridas is that it is all new.  This is not just a makeover.  From the fountain sign out front, the big wooden doors, to the rustic interior and low lighting; they do a good job creating what would pass to any Mid-Southerner as an old Mexican inn.

The food was good.  I had a chimi and my wife had fried tacos.  Honestly, it was pretty standard fare for the newer Mexican restaurants in the area.  We will go back when it is less crowded.

That brings up a distinction I'm struggling with a little bit.  It seems like most of the Mexican restaurants that have opened in the Mid-South over the past 20 years or so have a milder menu.  The emphasis is on white cheese and no chili based dishes.  Maybe I thought TexMex was Mexican all along, but as much as I like Mexican food, I like the more hearty, beefy type.  You know, like Molly's.

 

 

Molly's La Casita has to the gold standard and the madre of Mexican food in Memphis.  So many good things on the menu.  The chimis are absolutely the best.  My wife likes the spinach chimi.  Molly's has some of that TexMex flavor that I like.  They have some awesome nachos too.  The Mr. Bruce's nachos I believe.  If you've been under a rock, Molly's is just west of the square on Madison.  And if you haven't been to the Square lately, you need to go.  Things are hopping.  A "Local" is opening where the old Yosemite Sam's was and they are rebuilding the Chicago Pizza Factory building for something.  I know, right?  That building hasn't been touched for 30 years.


Okay, I can't go south of the border without mentioning Cafe Ole'.  Man, have you had that Tamale Pie?  That's just not fair.  Cafe Ole' shares an organic feel with Molly's.  Cafe Ole' is in the heart of the the Cooper Young district.  You've gotta get down there too.  In fact, start at the square and work your way down Cooper.  If you haven't been down there in years, you'll be surprised at the resurgence of great local places.


Okay, so I saved the best for last, and I don't have a picture!  But I'll get one.  Pancho's in West Memphis on the East end of Broadway is absolutely the matriarch of Mexican food in the Mid-South.  After all these years it still does a great business and has a unique and tasty flavor of its own.  Yeah, they still bring you the yellow dip, but at this point it is a welcomed change, and nobody has matched their dressing they put on the lettuce and on their taco salad.  The interior is a little dated, but it serves its purpose well, and quite frankly holds a lot of tradition.  I'll bet you haven't been in a long time, so check it out!