Foodie synchronicity is running hot in my house right now… What started out as just a little venture out to find something new for dinner turned into a super cool evening at Torero’s.

The night before, I had seen an episode of Andrew Zimmern in Oaxaca, Mexico and it reminded me of something I hadn’t had in a long time. Molcajete.

I tried to convey my affection for this authentic Mexican specialty. This dish is cooked and served in a traditional molcajete, which is essentially a giant mortar style vessel made of volcanic rock that can withstand seriously high temperatures. Most often molcajetes are cooked on open flame with all ingredients simmering away cauldron-style to let the flavors and ingredients marry. Once you have one, fajitas sort of fade from view…

I’ve had the best molcajete in Minnesota, oddly enough, and it brought back some poignant memories for me when I relayed the experience to my intrigued and ever patient listener. But most of all, it made me hungry! I really wanted to share the experience with my Tsunami of Goodness, as he likes to refer to himself, so I began to research whether or not I could find this here in South Florida. My search results returned a popular chain restaurant, which I immediately ignored, but the other restaurant in the list seemed to be on the right track. Feeling satisfied that I had a place in mind, I relegated it to the list of restaurants to check out soon.

Last night after work, we decided to go out for a bite and all the usual suspects we typically haunt close to home were on the proverbial table. However, Mr. Tsunami decides we should explore a bit and we discuss several possible cuisines, locations, etc. We hit one spot, have a beer and decide to move on, not quite feeling the whole vibe or feeling in the mood for steakhouse… We jump in the car and he just starts driving, calling out local gems, testing the appetite waters. He says, “I know… you really want Mexican. But let’s just drive a bit more; I think I know an area that might just have something interesting.” We drive by a country western restaurant/bar/nightclub and giggle… perhaps another night if we want to play cowboy/cowgirl. We head down the street a bit further.

He turns into a plaza and as we drive in, I see a street sign and say, “Hey, that sounds familiar, I wonder if that Mexican place is over here somewhere…wouldn’t that be weird and cool?” I decide to get out my phone and look up the address to Torero’s, the restaurant I found online the night before. As we are meandering through the plaza he asks me what the name of it was and I can’t remember. He’s pointing out several little hole in the wall places as we make our way through the parking lot and I find the restaurant on my phone but can’t quite find the address. At exactly the same moment we both say, “Torero’s.” In shock we both look at each other and start laughing. He stops the car right in front of Torero’s and teases,”You probably don’t feel like going here do ya?” I tell him to park and do a happy dance in my seat.

We go in and can just feel it. Yes, right place. On to the molcajete. Modelo on tap, chips, salsa, queso… check. All excellent. We can’t stop oohing and ahhing over the menu. I order the molcajete, which unfortunately isn’t served family style here. Unthwarted by presentation, I order it anyway. Tsunami orders combo fajitas. Neither of us are disappointed. After the first bite, he blurts out, “I already can’t wait to come back… this place is awesome.”

As we sit and discuss how full we are, another synchro-food moment arrives. I am staring at one of the tabletop marketing thingy’s for dessert and I began to read the menu looking for sopapillas. I know he loves them but few restaurants make them around here so I don’t have any expectations really. I pick up the plastic dessert frame, eyes wide, not believing my luck. Could this place be any cooler??!! Just as I turn it around to proudly display my discovery, he says, “Wonder if they have sopapillas?? NO!! WAY!!” Of course we order some…

Again, another local Florida Food Finds worth a drive… If you crave authentic Mexican food at ridiculously affordable prices, you absolutely must check out Torero’s in West Palm. Next time we go back, I’m having one of their famous Chelada’s. Maybe two. Cheladas are beer mixed with spicy tomato juice. Sounds crazy but is extraordinarily good and supposedly, they make some of the best ones in town. Worth a trip just for that, I’m sure.

Torero’s Menu
911 Village Blvd, West Palm Beach 33409
(At Brandywine Rd)
(561) 578-6959