50 Beloved Mexican Restaurants Across America
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Taco María - Costa Mesa, CA
Mexican food is known for being particularly comforting and robust but not necessarily for being "refined" like French or Japanese haute cuisine. At Taco María in Costa Mesa, California, that idea is challenged by Mexican-American Chef Carlos Salgado, who opened the restaurant in 2013 and later earned 1-Michelin star status in 2019 and 2021. Here, the best seat in the house is at the counter, where you can observe your meal being prepared in the open kitchen. Expect elevated dishes with heavy Mexican influences, including Dungeness crab tostadas and Mexican bay scallops aguachile (similar to ceviche). Among the entrees, you'll find a handful of meat, fish and vegetarian options served with incredible hand-made blue tortillas.
Pictured: Sonoma duck leg carnitas with pepita-cranberry salsa, lima beans, served with blue corn gorditas. The menu changes seasonally, so order whatever strikes your fancy.
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Chef Tips and Tricks
These quick and easy chicken quesadillas are the perfect, last-minute family dinner!
INGREDIENTS:
- 2 chicken breasts
- 1/2 cup of tomato sauce
- 1/2 cup of chives, chopped
- 1 tsp. of Mexican spice mix
- 4 Tortillas
- Cheddar
- Salt, to taste
METHOD:
- Put shredded chicken breast, tomato sauce, chives, and mexican spice mix in a bowl and mix together.
- Lay out the tortillas. Place a slice of cheddar in the center, and cover with the chicken mix.
- Fold up tortillas, and heat in a frying pan until golden.
- Enjoy!