Life is about to change for the Rodriguez family and Salsa Fuego.
The tiny west Fort Worth cafe with eight tables is named one of the five “Best Mexican” restaurants in Texas in the new Texas Monthly. Also making the list was Cuquita's in Dallas
Salsa Fuego's Chef Carlos Rodriguez, an El Paso native and former Texas de Brazil cook, was going to open an Italian restaurant before he found a tiny taco shop. Now, he’s already planning an expansion: four more tables. That makes 12, plus four on a patio.
Needless to say, plan your visit carefully, and be patient if it’s crowded or if service is slow at this small, charming restaurant on Alta Mere Drive (Texas 183) at the edge of the Benbrook Traffic Circle.
Rodriguez and his wife, Christie — from Euless’ China Village family — already retooled their menu to add specialties such as one-pound ribeye steaks to the favorites such as chiles rellenos, guacamole burgers or steak enchiladas in jalapeno cream sauce.
Everything is made by hand in the tiny kitchen, so allow time.
Salsa Fuego serves lunch and dinner Monday through Saturday at 3520 Alta Mere Drive, 817-560-7888, salsafuegofw.net.
Texas Monthly also listed four Fort Worth restaurants among its top 50 “Best Mexican.”
Benito’s Restaurant, Esperanza’s Bakery & Cafe, Lanny’s Alta Cocina Mexicana and Paco & John Diner all made the list for “Mex-Mex” cooking — not chili-and-cheese Tex-Mex.
(Legacy favorite Joe T. Garcia’s, the mothership restaurant for Esperanza’s and Lanny’s, was listed in a separate “Hall of Fame” category.)
