If my family is celebrating a birthday, an anniversary, an out of town visitor…you can likely find us at Canyon Café.
Growing up in Phoenix, I ate pretty authentic Mexican and Southwestern food. My family had a running tab at Restaurant Mexico in Tempe, AZ, which at the time was located very near to my mother’s TV station. No joke, we ate there between 3-4 times a week. (Side note…I just spent a good 10 minutes reading Yelp reviews of Restaurant Mexico, longing for their tacos suaves. If you’re ever in Phoenix…GO).
When we moved to St. Louis, we were in for a surprise. Let’s just say that at the time, the quantity and quality of high-quality Mexican restaurants was sub-par. My first run-in with a taco? It had mayo on it.
Which brings me back to my original point. My parents eat at Canyon Café in St. Louis (Plaza Frontenac) excessively, possibly trying to recreate the southwestern cuisine experience. Canyon Café also has a sister restaurant in Phoenix, of which my mother was a frequent patron.
But the best thing about Canyon Café (aside from their Coyote Margarita) is their dedicated gluten-free menu. It’s not on their website, but they’ll be happy to provide if you ask for it.
Some of my personal favorites include:
Chicken Tortilla Soup
Traditional Mexican soup thickened with tortillas to add a delicate corn flavor.
Margarita Soft Tacos
Corn tortillas stuffed with your choice of red chile chicken or fire-roasted vegetables. Served with crisp Margarita slaw, southwest rice and black beans.
Fajitas – Flip & Sizzlers
Lightly marinated shrimp, chicken or steak, grilled to order with our unique grilled onion and pepper mix. Served with southwest rice, black beans, soft corn tortillas and fajita toppings.
Unfortunately, the chips they place on your table are NOT gluten-free. Though wonderfully delicious (from my experience pre-GF), they are fried in the same oil as quite a few of their flour products, so if you are completely intolerant, beware.
Just drown your sorrows in that margarita. 🙂
Until next time,
Kate
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