Salsa Brava

Before I left for my trip, I spent a night looking online and researching different places to stay, eat at and check out. I stumbled upon Salsa Brava in Flagstaff, a Mexican restaurant featured on Guy Fiore's show on the Food Network "Diners, Dives and Drive-Ins." The restaurant got great reviews on Yelp and was also mentioned on the Travel Channel website, so I decided I would check it out my first night in Flagstaff. As all of you know, though, I pulled into Flagstaff last night at around 10:45. Salsa Brava closes at 9:00, so I thought I'd have to pass it up. Mother Nature intervened, however, and I was able to enjoy a nice meal tonight.

I have a weakness for fish tacos. When I ordered I asked the waitress for her recommendation between those or the Cajun shrimp tacos and she preferred the latter. The service all-around was friendly, efficient and very helpful. I think my designated waiter wasn't available when I walked in, but the aforementioned waitress quickly and calmly took my order and then my assigned waiter apologized profusely for having kept me waiting. They gave me a generous helping of corn chips (which were a little overfried--too hard, even though I am sure they were fresh) and small ramikins for the salsa bar, which, I think, in and of itself is a reason to visit Salsa Brava. The pico de gallo was a perfect mix of tomatoes, onions, cilantro and jalapeno peppers; the mild version still had tons of flavor. The fire-roasted chipotle salsa was perfection: smoky, piquant, and not too spicy. The tomatillo sauce also good. I ordered a strawberry margarita, too, which was on special for $4 all night.


My food came within fifteen minutes. It looked great: black beans sprinkled with queso fresca, Spanish rice, and delish-looking shrimp tacos! Sadly, the black beans and rice were a little bland; they could have used a little more seasoning, or maybe it was because my tongue was still exploding from all the salsas I just sampled. The shrimp tacos were great, though: plump little shrimps glazed with cajun spices on a crisp bed of shredded cabbage, just enough mild pico de gallo, melted cheese and a generous brushing of jalapeno tartar sauce. Good stuff. I'm stuffed!

Although the food was a little overpriced ($9.50 for a plate I could probably find in LA for $5 or $6), it was worth it. My bill still came under $15 for dinner and the friendly service certainly made it worth the visit. Anyway, it was nice to feel like I was in gringo Mexico for a minute as the snow continues to fall in Flagstaff.