A Celito Lindo Fix

After our trip to the Southwest and trying several Mexican restaurants only to believe our local place was better, we decided we’d better go to Celito Lindo in Vonore while our trip memories are still fresh.  We invited friends to go with us to compare it to their favorite El Sazon in Alcoa.  We went early but the place was pretty full by the time we left so we are obviously not the only fans.

Everyone else had the normal Tex-Mex fare but I’ve been trying to eat something I haven’t had before so I ordered the special for the day called Molcajete or Lava Bowl.  It came in what looked to be a real lava rock bowl and contained beef, chicken, shrimp, chorizo, onion, green peppers, fajita seasoning and cheese so it was basically fajita fixins in a bowl.  It was sided with rice, beans, salad, guacamole, sour cream, and tortillas.

Pat had the chicken taquitos and Bev  ordered a dinner for two, had the tacos, rice and beans brought to the table and the rest boxed to take home.

I thought mine was delicious and would definitely order it again – after I’ve eaten the yet to be tried dishes that is.  Our friends said there meals were good and similar to El Sazon, Pat preferred hers to all of the trip places except Vaquero’s Grill and Cantina in Jerome, AZ and Bev didn’t eat enough of hers to have an opinion.  Obviously this is not a very scientific taste test but it does seem to re-affirm that we have pretty good Tex-Mex right near home. 

I learned that this company also has restaurants in Pigeon Forge and Harriman, TN which seemed a little unusual - one place in a big time tourists location and two in little no-where towns (Harriman pop. 6158 & Vonore pop. ~1000).

Fun Fact - Celito Lindo means Lovely Sweetheart.

Photos can be enlarged by clicking on them and the blue words are links.

Have a great day and thanks for stopping by Almost Heaven South.

Larry

3/18/19 event date