I might get a lot of flak for this post, but here I go. Being a food addict I have eaten at a very large number of restaurants. I especially like to eat at restaurants that are not popular or trendy trying to find the diamond in the rough. I am not a food snob though, I will eat at anywhere where there is good food. That being said, I have always been a critic of places like Cafe Rio and Costa Vida because of how trendy they have become. At this point the food does not even matter because people just flock there. While my last visit to Cafe Rio was better than my previous visits, the food was still just okay. Nothing spectacular, and nothing that sets it apart from what I could cook at home. Unfortunately, people never eat at restaurants like a little place called Guanajuato near me because it isn’t cool and no one hangs out there. Now that I have stirred the angry mob of Costa Vida and other trendy restaurant lovers I will try to soften my words. There is a place for these restaurants, but they are not all that is out there, and they are very rarely close to the best restaurants available. Get out of your comfort zone and eat at that little place in that run down building. If anyone wants one suggestion, try Osaka’s in Provo on center street. It is a great Japanese restaurant with dishes that will fit even the most squeemish American stomach, and there are specialties for the seafood lovers. I think that I will start reviewing restaurants regularly as I have the time and money, so if you have a suggestion of small, local, or chain restaurants send them along and I will take a look. (Oh, and yes I know about the “melt in your mouth” Costa Vida pork)
Guanajuato, the one they riped down in Orem, RULED! The location in Provo is *ok* but lacks something. One thing is for sure, no trendy chicks with blond highlights could be found in the kitchen microwaving frozen burritos or pretending to be servers. That place had going on. My favorite touch was the sea-foam green paint on the walls and the calendar from 1990 with the Catholic Saint of choice on it. Sweet is the memory of Tacos al Pastor!
Gabriel Gunderson
May 11th, 2006
I thought I fixed that…
s/riped/ripped/g
Anyway, the reason I came back is that I forgot to tell you about this killer taco shop in Orem. It fills the void left by Tacos Guanajuato.
Here is a google map link:
http://tinyurl.com/nhj2t
Bring your cash and head-on to the back of the market. Oh yeah, you’ll need to know Spanish and the water is bad. Can you say, “authentic”?
Gabriel Gunderson
May 12th, 2006
That’s funny Trent, because I was thinking this same thing last night. There are way too many killer restaurants that don’t get traffic because they’re not cool, and too many sucky restaurants that are constantly swamped. Rise above the marketing, people!
I second the Mexican restaurant recommendation. I also want to chime in for the Bangkok Grill. I highly recommend their curries, coconut soup, and mango rice. Service is super fast because there is rarely anyone there, and the food is insane. They have great lunch specials too, if you want to go sometime.
jordy
May 12th, 2006
I also would like to bear my testimony of the goodness that is Guanajuato. You could get 16 spicy pork tacos at Guanajuato for the same price as two burritos at Crapy Rio. It’s is to bad the only take cash thought!
Luke Gunderson
May 12th, 2006
Great post Trent, and I agree. Some of my favorite restaurants are the less-well-known ones: the El Salvadorean restaurant at 350 W Center in Provo, La Carreta on State Street in Orem, Diego’s on University, and the Thai restaurants. Provo has awesome cuisine if you look for it.
Richard K Miller
May 12th, 2006