During our travels to South Central Oklahoma last weekend, Chris and I had intended to stop at the Arbuckle Emporium to window shop and secure a picnic lunch from the famed Secret Garden Tea Room inside. On our arrival, however, we discovered that the Emporium was no longer around and our lunchtime plans were dashed. One of the great things we’ve learned in our travels is that when our plans fail serendipity often saves the day. In Sulphur, Oklahoma serendipity arrived in full force and guided us to Abuelita’s Mexican restaurant.
Chris and I have a passion for Mexican food. There are an endless combinations of tacos, enchiladas and seafood that make us happy when dining out. It’s especially a treat when we find an unexpected gem like Abuelita’s. The restaurant is simple and unassuming from the outside – it looks like any other Mexican restaurant among those that have flourished with the influx of Hispanic immigrants to the United States. The inside of Abuelita’s, too, reflects a simple low maintenance decor like any of a hundred other restaurants we have dined in before.
The uniqueness of Abuelita’s, however, is the fresh well prepared Mexican staples inside. Everything we ate in the restaurant from the salsa to the refried beans to the main course was handmade with care. The flavors were bright and truly delicious. Chris chose the Mexican tacos that included tender grilled flank steak. It was a symphony of perfectly grilled and seasoned beef accompanied by a chorus of cilantro, onion and lime. I ate the pollo con chile verde that included an amazingly smoky and rich chicken breast and roasted poblano peppers. I enjoyed every bite with the silky cheese mingling with the smoky grilled chicken. The flavor combinations were outstanding.
Mexican food is frequently cheap and easy to prepare. The ingredients are simple and preparation does not always take a lot of effort. It is easy to produce mediocre food at a Mexican restaurant. Our experience at Abuelita’s was anything but mediocre. This is one restaurant that’s worth driving off of the Interstate highway to find. Abuelita’s food will resonate deliciously in your mouth and make you want to come back for more. The Taco Travelers give Abuelita’s Mexican Restaurant 4 tacos out of 5, it is highly recommended.
