Sunday, December 16, 2007

Want some Kabab with your Enchiladas?

Hidden in a small residential street near my house, we found this Mexican restaurant. You wouldn't have noticed it if it weren't for the old man with a cowboy hat lingering outside the door. We decided we must try it, ourselves being from the land of Tex Mex. Inside we found all the trendy young kids of the neighborhood decked out under layers of makeup, and nose job bandages. Men and women puffed on shisha and munched on nachos-Which were, by the way, not bad! Even the non-alchoholic beer hit the spot, almost like the real thing. Interesting fusion of Shisha and Nachos. Kabab and Enchiladas.


Our dinner: Nachos for a starter-$3. Then I had the Chimichanga, with full service of Mexican rice, refried beans and salsa, below on the left, for $6. On the right is the Iranian-Mexican fusion: 1 enchilada, 1 taco, some kabab and saffron rice, a feast for $9. And a couple of foamy "beers," perfection. (In Iran we have the choice of various non-alcoholic beers: Bavaria, Tuborg, Efes...and the best local one is Delster, and it comes in tens of flavors from apple and lemon to pomegranate.)

And yesterday I actually saw a newly opened 'TGI Friday's', looked just like the popular American restaurant chain, which by the way originated in Dallas, Texas, more Tex Mex!? Hmm, I don't see Iran in their global locations...a new addition to the various copycats around town I guess. No copyright protection here, too bad... It makes sense though, albeit in a different way, Thank God it's Friday, the holy day, let's eat!

Another famous copycat is the "Starbox" now known as "Raees Coffee." Interestingly the coffee here is even the same price as Starbucks, about $2.50 for a small latte...I tried it once, not bad, and they even sprinkl cocoa on top in the shape of "raees"



6 comments:

Anonymous said...

That is so interesting. I remember in that same area there was a Chinese restaurant, best chinese food I have ever had. I guess they made the food to the taste of Iranians. The Chinese restaurant was called "The Golden Dragon." I wonder if it is still there. The location was very similar as you explained.

Anonymous said...

The best chinese I had was in Budapest, Hungary. Like in Tehran, they blend it with local taste, and Hungarian food is so good, so the mix was perfect!

What is Iranian Starbucks like? They brew it all day and add hot water before serving? :-)

Anonymous said...

i'll have some kabab enchiladas!

donde esta jalapenos mammasita?

love the dallas connection. i envy you :) makes me happy to hear you and the fam are kickin it shirazi style

neenee said...

arash, khayli jaat khali bood!

Chinese food here is like khoresht. that's probably why you liked it :)

and no, it wasnt brew all day and add hot water. actually pretty good, and fresh of course!...although the cappuccino we ordered was more like a latte.

Anonymous said...

you should definetely try all the various food combinations being served in Borj-e Sayeh, opposite the Park Mellat main entrance. There is an American-Indian styled restaurant at the basement of it, which I really recommend, save for the pasta dishes!

Anonymous said...

We used to go to Golden Dragon often, it used to be a great place, but when they changed the management the service really declined. The staff are snobby and unprofessional. The food is not as good either. Recently, they messed up taking our order, then kept us waiting for a long time, and when we finally complained they beaceme deffencive, not a single apology. Definitly not going back there.