When you think of drinking a great Margarita with a fresh fish taco, don’t you picture yourself on a white sandy beach, with festive music, and the bright colors of Latin America surrounding you? Well think again! The Spanish food trend has flown up the coast and landed in seacoast towns like Portsmouth, NH and the crowds are lovin’ it! But don’t worry we’ve got beaches here too; they may be a bit colder though! With places like Agave, Brazo, Cava, Dos Amigos, Coco Locos and Margaritas, you’d never think you were dining in New England!
The scene ranges from authentic Latin restaurants with warm ambiances and great drinks, to quick and tasty take out places. If you want melt-in-your-mouth satisfaction, try Brazo's delicious fish tacos, which are marinated overnight, fried to tender perfection and served with unique dipping sauces. Lots of places are doing small plates or tapas too, like Cava in Portsmouth or Tapas & Tinis in Oqunquit. I tell people out west about the Margaritas chain and they have no idea what it is! Though it is a franchise, the food is still delicious and the tequila is just as good! For several years, Dos Amigos Burritos, with locations in Dover and Portsmouth, has been a prime spot to feed the late night hunger of bar hoppers or just the casual diner who wants a filling meal for cheap.
The key to this cuisine is comfort. When the meals are cooked with love, from traditional recipes, and made with fresh ingredients, you can't go wrong. I think Mexican food is a sure fire crowd pleaser, and all these restaurants that are popping up think so too, apparently! The ingredients are pretty inexpensive. Think of the classic staple of this style: rice and beans--very cheap! Yet, people love it! Burritos, tacos, enchiladas, Spanish tapas, tortillas & salsa, homestyle dishes...whats not to love! Though these restaurants don't serve traditional New England fare, they seem to fit right in. :)
