Acajutla Restaurant

Many years ago, me and my hubby lived in Vancouver for a short stint. Back when we were DINKS (Double Income, No Kids) so we had the luxury of free time(dear god how I miss that!) and money to eat out often, at the many restauraunts that the city had to offer. We were never really much of the "fine dining" couple but would prefer to try out at all the ethnic restaurants and "ma and pa" owned eateries.  There was one place that served mexican food that I absolutely loved.  No glamorous store front or mexican music blaring outside as you walk by.  It was authentic and delicious.  I miss that place.  

When we came back from Vancouver, Edmonton didn't really have many authentic mexican or latin eateries, that I knew of at least back at that time.  But over the years, more and more places have opened up.

I've driven past Acajutla numerous times and I kept telling myself each time that I need to try it out.  And finally we did, a short while ago.  It is a Salvadorian/Mexican restaurant and it's one of those "ma and pa" restaurants and you feel that when you get in the doors.   The inside of the restaurant is colorful, bright and family-friendly, but not like a "fancy interior designer designed this place" type of restaurant.  The open kitchen had the cooks waving at my kids as we ordered and the hostess was friendly, bringing our menus and glasses of water. The matriarch of the family, a little ole lady who I think didn't speak any english, made silly little faces at my youngest and spoke to him in her native tongue, entertaining him the whole time we were there while she cleaned up tables.  

We ordered a couple of appetizers.  And I highly recommend them.  The corn and chicken tamals (as pictures in the first picture) were really tasty.  The corn tamal, wrapped in the corn husk was my preferred tamal as it was nice and sweet.  I didn't get a picture of the pupusa but that appetizer won us all over.  It is a corn flat bread and I could eat that all day long.  I can't remember what else was in it but I highly recommend it.  The table behind me had a family with 3 children and they were chanting "pupusa" as soon as they sat down.

We ordered fajitas and the enchiladas. (I know, I know, not very adventurous but when you are dining with kids... you have to pick things that will hold their attention too.)  They also came with a pickled salad at your table and a couple of different hot and spicy sauces to put on your entrees.  The entrees were healthy and I loved the homemade tortillas but I felt that they didn't have that yum factor as the appetizers did.  I think that is why the condiments are brought out, so that you can to liven up your dish as much or as little as you like.

One thing I read in the forums that I realized near the end of the meal is that the waitress doesn't bring you the tab.  We did the "should we go up or should we wait" dance for a bit.  We eventually went up to pay for it and really, I'm ok with that.  It is a ma and pa place so obviously a bit less formal. 

Though I can't say this place compared in taste to the ma and pa restaurant I went to in Vancouver, it was a delightful visit and I'd definitely come back for the appetizers and to try out some more authentic dishes.  The visit was kind of like you were coming home to eat at your salvadorian/mexican  grandma's house.  And that fits right in to the famous saying "mi casa es su casa".  

Acajutla  

11302-107 Ave 

Edmonton, AB