JUANITA'S TACOS Y MARISCOS

Oh Yuma, I have a love-hate relationship with you. Weather wise, hate....food wise, love. I remember the first time my husband took me to Yuma to meet his family he also took me to Juanita's, which is a food truck located on 8th Street. Whether we're visiting family or spending the weekend at the dunes, we always try and make it a point to have lunch here. Our last trip to the desert we came into town and took our friends to Juanita's. When I say the best shrimp cocktail, I mean it. Most cocktails I eat always need more lime, clamato juice or salt, this particular one doesn't need a drop of anything except maybe a little hot sauce. 

The other item on the menu I LOVE is the breaded shrimp taco's. We love it so much my husband came up with his own version. 

If your driving down the 8 East freeway exit 4th Avenue but make sure you get there before dark they close pretty early!

La Sierra Cafe - National City

This next restaurant is a local spot I have been going to since I was in the womb. La Sierra Cafe located in National City is where my family likes to go to on a Saturday or Sunday morning for the best menudo in town. It's been family owned since it opened in 1981 and most of the servers have been there since I was a little girl. I love that I now can take my own family and I hope the tradition continues with my boys. I only have had two dishes on the menu because I can't get enough of them. 

The menudo, always fresh not fatty (unless you request the pata of course) and the beef tacos. The best menudo and the best beef taco in my book! Incase you are wondering what menudo is it's.....don't get scared....beef stomach (tripe) and hominy. If your looking to try it for the first time I would absolutely recommend coming here! I love to top the menudo with fresh onion, cilantro, lemon, sprinkled with crushed oregano and crushed red chili peppers accompanied by a rolled up corn tortilla. The taco is crispy and full of flavor fried to order with lettuce, tomato and finally topped with creamy shredded jack cheese. I love to eat this over my menudo bowl, the bits and pieces that fall into the bowl are my favorite. 

Beware, if you do go on Saturday or Sunday morning there will be a line out the door which is always a good sign. Another awesome thing about La Sierra Cafe is that they allow you to bring in your own pot for takeout. My parents would often bring a pot home and we would eat menudo in our pajamas. I hope this post urges you to take a visit soon whether it's to taste the menudo or cure your hangover. ;)