Salsa Leedos Mexican Grill & Cantina
He said:
I have a confession to make: Salsa Leedos kind of scared me. To be honest, I don’t like the name. I worried that its cheesiness—though clever—might presage something about the restaurant’s quality. The plastic flamingoes in front—some dressed in Santa hats and others in reindeer antlers—did nothing to dispel my trepidation. However, I’m glad we went in. Everything else was great!
The colorful interior featured Día de los Muertos murals, guitars and photographs signed by Country artists, photographic collages (presumably of various patrons and/or celebrities), and lots of bright colors. Soundless TVs played in every direction. Near our table hung a life marker for the owner’s late father.
Our meal began with the traditional chips and salsa. (Was this the namesake “Salsa Leedos”?) The thick and chunky salsa, just as I like it, was mild—unless you ask Kathy—but full of flavor. I finished one bowl and started another.
When our waitress tried to take our order, several festive shouts interrupted us. Several of the waitstaff passed our table on their way to sing Happy Birthday to another patron. They carried the birthday dessert, with a “candle” that spewed sparks like a road flare! I wished it had been my birthday.
Later, the owner, Travis, noticed my empty glass and quickly fetched me a refill and paused to chat with us. His affable charm was as bright as the walls. It must have been infectious too, as all of the employees seemed to enjoy their work. We caught one of them singing along with the Christmas carols in the background. Whether that was due to Travis’s influence or Mariah Carey’s, I’m not sure.
Accepting the waitress’s recommendation, I ordered a Steak Fajita Burrito smothered with Creamy Queso (which turned out to be simply a bit of melted cheese). The burrito, wrapped in a tomato basil tortilla, brimmed with flavors both expected and unexpected. While I anticipated the grilled onions, peppers, and mushrooms, the summer squash and zucchini surprised me. However, I quickly became a fan. The steak, neither sliced too thinly nor over-cooked, revealed the character and flavor of a tender sirloin. While I initially wondered if I would finish the entire burrito, I eventually took my last bite while wistfully wishing there was more.
She said:
For me personally, Mexican restaurants are hit or miss. Salsa Leedos is definitely a hit. The décor is colorful, especially the eye-catching Day of the Dead mural with its sombrero-wearing skeletal singer, dogs, and Lady Liberty—all in teal, red, yellow, and green. The ambiance is festive and friendly, but even more jovial were the waitstaff and the owner. As Brian mentioned, the servers were humming and singing along to the background Christmas carols.
The Navajo Taco that I ordered from the lunch menu was, um, let’s say . . . far more generous than I expected. Although delicious, I could not finish it. Maybe part of that was due to the spiciness of the Chile Colorado sauce that topped it. As Brian alluded to, it doesn’t take a lot of spice to reach my limit. I did find relief in the super-thick, creamy sour cream that accompanied the taco. The plate was also piled high with Navajo bread, tender/succulent shredded beef, cheese, lettuce, olives, tomatoes, black beans, with Spanish rice and refried beans on the side. Everything really hit the spot, although the rice could have been cooked a touch more.
Conclusion:
Don’t be afraid of the restaurant’s unconventional name or the droll décor elements. They are merely part of this restaurant’s charm, adding to the welcoming, festive atmosphere. Soak it in and have a great time!