Monday, March 11, 2013

The BEST Mexican Food in Alabama

OK. I'll admit. I have not been to every Mexican restaurant in Alabama so I cannot officially declare this one as such. However, I am willing to bet it's close. Great environment, fresh product, lots of flavor. Mmm Mmm Mmm

Oh, I'm sorry. Would you like to know that name of the restaurant?
 
CACTUS FLOWER CAFE

From their home page they describe themselves as follows:

"Cactus Flower Cafe is a Mexican restaurant with locations in Pensacola and Navarre Florida taking great pride in serving delicious California Style Mexican Cuisine. Our Mexican food is fresh, flavorful, delicious and healthy … served in a relaxing and appealing atmosphere."

I am 100% in agreement with their description. I was introduced to this restaurant by one of my students who works there. In his culinary class he made a rendition of a lime vinegarette dressing served at the Cactus Flower Cafe and it was delicious. (I do not eat salad but I'd eat it with THAT dressing)

Started with the chips and salsa that was brought to the table. The chips are different from other Mexican restaurants and the salsa tasted wonderful - not too mild but not too hot. I ordered the Cactus Flower Combo which was soup (I chose the tortilla soup), a quesadilla with your choice of meat (I got chicken), and a side salad. Of course I ordered the lime vinegarette dressing, which was amazing. This is now one of only two places anywhere that I will actually eat salad. Everything was fantastic. Great combination of flavors and not your standard, run of the mill Mexican dishes.

I look forward to returning when it's warmer to try out their frozen margarita drinks that are made with ice cream sherbert. OH MY!

Thank you to Jared for the suggestion of stopping in to try out this awesome restaurant in Gulf Shores. I will definitely make it a point to stop in once or twice...... or three times during spring break. If you live in Baldwin County or you're visiting the beach, I highly encourage you to stop in to the Cactus Flower Cafe for a break from the traditional seafood offerings.