Carlitos Cafe Y Cantina

The planets aligned for this one. Some business partners suggested eating here, and it’s also a favorite spot for my manager who was briefly in town. And coincidentally I was in conversation with Brian who’d eaten here just the evening before and had some menu recommendations.

I was also sans camera, having loaned it to Sandrine and she showed up partway through the meal to return it!

Thus, I give you: the tamale trio.

Three small tamales, three different stuffings. A shredded pork in rich red sauce, a shredded chicken in green sauce, and a roasted green chile and corn in a creamy cheesy sauce.

My favorite was the roasted chile and corn.  The flavors were light and fresh, a bit of smokiness from the roasted peppers, a pop to the corn, and no heaviness to the tamale that I felt with the pork with red sauce. Plus, I was wearing a light shirt and was deathly afraid the red chile sauce would spill and stain (it didn’t, whew).

The dish cost about $10.50, and would be considered an a la carte item. No heavy load of additional rice and beans. It was the smallest plate ordered at the table, the least expensive, and completely pleasant. I would order it again. Especially if what happened last time (again, a business meeting, what up with that??) doesn’t happen again.

Past issues:
25 April, 2008

Carlitos
1324 State St Ste A
Santa Barbara, CA 93101