[CH] Great SoCal NewMex food
Gregg Puckett (gpuckett@exo.com)
Sun, 21 Mar 1999 10:19:55 -0800
It is with some trepidation that I reveal the location of what I believe to
be among the best New Mexico style food to be found anywhere, certainly THE
best in Southern California. But my dedication to this group brings me to
share this with my fellow ChileHeads (even though I normally just lurk).
Anita's offers taste delights that you simply can't find outside of northern
New Mexico (Albuquerque, Santa Fe, Taos, etc.). If you require that your
dinner leave your face red while chile-sweat drips from your scalp, try
their Carne Adovada or Chile Verde dishes. If you like things a bit calmer,
they can accomodate that silly urge, too. Ever had really good Posole
outside of New Mexico? They've got it at Anita's. Chile Relleno made with
Hatch Chile peppers? Anita's. And when you order sopaipillas, you don't
have to ask for honey - Anita's knows. (Hell, just try FINDING sopaipillas
in Mexican restaurants around here!)
A neighbor who is originally from Los Alamos found Anita's in Fullerton
about a year ago, and we've made the journey many times since (600 North
Harbor Blvd). But there's a new location in Santa Ana (at Warner and
Fariview) which is larger, has a bit nicer decor, and is even closer to me!
These are not upscale eateries (whatever the opposite of "pretentious" is,
Anita's is it.) They're clean, friendly restaurants with awesome food,
efficient service, and very reasonable prices. The manager at the Santa Ana
location worked at several of Santa Fe's finest and most famous restaurants
(The Shed, Bishops Hotel, etc.); we're lucky to have her (I unfortunately
can't remember her name right now) and Anita's here in southern California.
Check it out; lunch is great, dinner is even better, and if they serve
breakfast, I'm sure it's to die for.
More Heat!
-gregg-