M y friends and I have long decried the absence on the Cape for an affordable yet truly authentic Mexican restaurant. Sure the chains can muster a decent job to satisfy a craving, but they're not particularly distinct. Lorraine's in Provincetown is, and worth exploring, but its location and price makes it a once-and-awhile occasion, so that really only leaves certain nameless greasy spoons.
Hopefully a new venture in Harwich center is set to change that. Billing itself as "A truly authentic Mexican experience," the Ay! Caramba Café is a terrifically casual dining experience that can satiate an embittered palate weaned from boxed burritos and leave the wallet feeling significantly less dented at the same time.
Ostensibly it's a small open café scattered with approximately eight tables, umbrellas and flimsy plastic chairs to match. Inside there are a few tables but you come indoors mostly to help yourself to the salsa bar or line up for takeout at the counter (which seems to do a brisk business.)
Outside is where you want to be. On a balmy spring evening the roadside setting adjacent from the admirable spire of the First Congregational Church and its rustles of all trees makes the setting enough to forgive the often unsettling noise of traffic that streams through the intersection of Main Street and Route 124 these days.
Don't mind the bandy furniture, plastic ware and paper napkins, because that's what makes eating here unfettered and, like the food, which is terrific without pretense.
While we were perusing the menu, an outstanding complimentary basket of piping hot tortilla chips was delivered. Definitely not from a bag, they necessitated a trip indoors to choose from a range of accompanying salsas: hot, medium and mild, each distinctive and unique including a satisfyingly crisp chopped tomato and onion salsa rich with cilantro, and mild though full salsa verde.
There is no liquor license but you can BYO from the conveniently located store across the street, if you so desire. They do carry the regular sodas and soft drinks as well as interesting diversions like hibiscus iced tea or a refreshing rice tea (both $1.25) spiked with cinnamon.