Food Friday: Zarate’s Latin Mexican Grill
Edmond, Oklahoma is not my most favorite place in the world- it’s too spread out, some of the people can be rude, and the traffic sucks. But my wonderful husband works there so if I want to visit him for lunch, I have to go to Edmond. I don’t like eating at the major chain restaurants much, so he takes me to different places. And one of those places he introduced me to is Zarate’s Latin Mexican Grill on Broadway.
Now this isn’t the same tex-mex that you get here in Oklahoma, this is a more South American twist on what we know as mexican food. They have the typical enchiladas, tacos and chimichangas but with a different taste than what I’ve had at other restaurants. My personal favorite is the fajita beef chimichanga with sour cream sauce. The beef is spiced differently than what I’ve had before and the sour cream sauce is just wonderful, has more of a sour cream tartness to it than others I’ve tasted. I’ve also tried the enchiladas and quesadillas, the spinach quesadilla is my second favorite item on the menu. Of course it all comes with beans and rice. I will admit, I’ve never had the beans. Because of the food abuse inflicted on me when I was younger by my mother, I can’t stand the smell, sight or taste of beans. So I order double rice instead, it’s also really good- not too sticky with corn and peppers.
My husband has been the more adventurous one, he’s had the Papa Rellenas, ground beef wrapped in mashed potatoes then fried, his personal favorite. He’s also tried the Empanadas and so many of the other offerings that he couldn’t remember them all. This is also where they make the only guacamole in town that he will eat. He loves it and even introduced it to his parents- I hear my father-in-law loved it. Of course you get the normal chips, queso, and salsa with your meal. As good as the entrees are the chips are the best. Wish I could find them this good for at home. I really could eat these chips all day and not feel bad. The salsa was ok and the queso could be improved, needs to have more of the South American spices added. But seriously the chips are killer.
Opened in 2007 by Jorge Zarate, who is a native of Peru, he brings a mix of Brazilian, Jamaican, Peruvian, Cuban, Mexican and Tex-Mex to Edmond in a small but colorful building. You can often see Mr. Zarate himself seating guests, taking orders or serving food. The wait staff has always been friendly and helpful, service has always been good- no complaints. I give it my personal ranking of 5 strips of bacon.
Address: 706 S. Broadway, Edmond, OK (east side of the road)
The Fat Okie 