Chase Away Those Early Spring Blues
By Anisa Shomo

The early spring in Ohio can be a time when you yearn for sun so that you can enjoy the outdoors after a cold winter. Then the rain and clouds keep you indoors reading or watching television. When the weather isn’t up to the task, there is nothing better to brighten those gloomy days than the pleasure of eating delicious Mexican cuisine. La Plaza Tapatia Mexican Restaurant and Supermarket near Westland Mall is just the place to go to ward off any early spring blues. If the delightful display of colorful decorations and beautifully painted wall murals do not cheer you up, then the live mariachi music Saturdays and Sundays definitely will. You can feel right at home in this friendly atmosphere while enjoying a variety of rich Mexican dishes.

Serving breakfast, lunch and dinner, La Plaza Tapatia offers a menu full of options. Breakfast features a variety of egg dishes of different styles, and sauces, pancakes and steak for reasonable prices. There is a lunch buffet Monday through Friday from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. Lunch menu items include burritos, tacos, tostadas, tortas and sopes with traditional meat options ($1.50-$4.99). They offer chicken, beef, seafood, shrimp, and fish soups along with pozole and menudo ($6.99-$10.99). If seafood has caught your eye then you are in for a real treat. Appetizers include shrimp, oysters, clams, and ceviche of shrimp or fish starting at $10.99. The shrimp ceviche ($10.99) is loaded with fresh lemon marinated shrimp, tomato, onions, avocado, cilantro, green peppers and served with crackers. This tasty appetizer is enough to share with four people. They also have individual servings on tostadas for $2.99. The 13 house-specialty seafood dishes include shrimp fajitas, shrimp kabobs, shrimp wrapped in bacon, steamed shrimp (reminds me of Forrest Gump), oysters, octopus, and different varieties of fish cooked any way you like them. Prices range from a $6.99 half order of shrimp, shrimp and oysters, or shrimp and octopus to a full order at $10.99 with fish dishes at $8.99. All of these dishes are served with rice and Mexican salad.

More traditional dinners include enchiladas and carne asada (steak) for $8.99. Being the traditional girl that I am, I chose a traditional dinner. I had the entomatadas, a large name that suits the hefty serving of cheese-filled tortillas topped with chicken or steak in red sauce. Carlos Aranibar chose the classic chiles rellenos which are batter-fried poblano peppers stuffed with cheese. Both meals included beans, rice, guacamole, Mexican salad, and tortillas. Beverages include horchata, jamaica, and tamarindo flavored water, milkshakes, Mexican soft drinks, and fresh squeezed juices. As we waited for our meals, the entertainment provided by the mariachi band captured our attention. After a short while, the food arrived, still hot and looking great. We felt at home as we took our time enjoying our meal. La Plaza Tapatia Mexican Restaurant is a great experience if you are searching for a little piece of Mexico.

If you like to do you own cooking, check out their Mexican market for the hard-to-find products that can make all the difference when you want it done right.

Anisa Shomo is currently pursuing an undergraduate degree in Spanish. She is the President of Alpha Psi Lambda and a new contributor to ¿Qué Pasa, OSU?