Review: Vegas Goes South of the Border

Most people think they know Mexican food, but anyone who has eaten Mexican food in San Diego can attest to the fact that it is way different than dishes typical of El Paso.  South of San Diego, the Baja peninsula is separate from mainland Mexico and its food shows the difference.  Baja is known for its seafood with fish tacos, shrimp burritos and whole lobster plates served with tortillas, beans and rice. Baja food is addictive, but not too easy to find in Vegas – until now.  Hussong’s has come to town.

Famous to San Diegans and others who venture south of the border to eat, Hussong’s in Ensenada has attracted an international clientele since it first opened in 1892.  Hollywood movie stars flocked to the cantina during the ‘50s and ‘60s including Paul Newman, Bing Crosby, Marilyn Monroe, John Wayne and Steve McQueen who sipped on the new drink invented by a Hussong’s bartender: the Margarita ($8). The slush served in today’s restaurants little resembles the real thing as created by Don Carlos Orozco for the German Ambassador’s daughter, Margarita Henkel.  He mixed equal parts fresh lime, tequila and Damiana (on the rocks, not pureed!) and served it in a salt-rimmed glass.  You’ll never drink one of those syrupy frozen slushies again.

Just as addictive are the signature tacos, served up hot and fresh.  The best Mexican food relies on local ingredients just picked, plucked or pulled from the sea. Don’t miss the fish or shrimp tacos ($12.95): lightly battered seafood tucked into a homemade soft corn tortilla that is then topped with sweet cabbage, tomatillo avocado salsa and drizzled with a sour cream sauce.  The chicken tacos ($11.95)use chicken thighs topped with a crunchy fresh onion/cilantro garnish.  End the meal with honey drenched sopapillas ($5.95 for desserts);  the classic fried ice cream (sweet ice cream breaded, flash fried and then served with fruit pico de gallo and tomatillo salas); or my son’s favorite: flan, served with half chocolate cake and half flan in a strawberry salsa.  Mmmmmm.

Hussong’s Cantina and Taqueria

Mandalay Place

3930 Las Vegas Blvd. South #121B

702-553-0123

Image courtesy of Goyamedia.info