A s a rule, I am a "healthy" diner during the week. The unwritten rule in my house is: healthy home-cooked on the weekdays, take out and restauranting on the weekends. But, this is my first assignment for The Main Sheet. As a tribute, I am forgoing my usual wholesome entrée. I plan to dine out with a vengeance. If I must put my girlish figure at risk, it is essential that I have a night to remember. I feel the urge for a south of the border adventure and this Chiquita won't just settle for any ole' Taco Bell.
Ay Caramba Café & Cantina sits at the end of Rte 124 in Harwich like a pot of gold at the end of a rainbow. The plain white building in which it is housed gives no hint of the burst of colors and flavors hidden inside. The winter weather has closed down the outside deck, but I am still able to picture those sunny days in July, shaded by the umbrellas and permeated by the bustling of Main Street . I look longingly at the stacks of outside chairs as my boyfriend Keith steers me towards the front door fearing I might ask to sit out and brave the elements.
As soon as I step inside, I struggle to absorb the chaos around me. My eyes dance over the brightly colored walls, highlighted by Mexican art, pottery and blankets. I weave my way through the decorative ladder-back chairs as waiters and waitresses dart out of the open kitchen door, laden with steaming plates of food. The quaint two-room dining room and bar is full of people. Ira Mendoza, owner and head chef, smiles and waves to me from the kitchen before returning to the sizzling grill, loaded with tasty morsels waiting to be orchestrated into one of her amazing dishes. Her brother Ralph Mendoza, serving as dinning room manager, escorts us to a corner table. I'm sure it is obvious to you by now, I am a regular.
My derriere barely brushes the seat before a waitress slides by to drop a basket of sizzling chips and two choices of homemade salsa on our table. I feel no guilt as I sample a chip loaded with salsa. Here's a little info for all you health nuts: Ay Caramba deep fries all of the chips in soybean oil. They also use no lard or animal fat in their beans and rice. It's a fact, kiddos!