El Zarape

El Zarape [606 W Fulton St, Garden City, KS - (620) 275-5401]is a beacon of traditional Mexican family cooking that stands out in the sea of otherwise dull eateries here in Garden City, KS. While Garden City may be famed for its massive grain productions or the 1959 Clutter Family Murder (the event that Truman Capote chose to turn into his nonfiction novel, In Cold Blood) it’s not well known (at least to this city slicker) for its outstanding food. But water is found in even the most arid of landscapes.

I happened to stumble upon the Garcia family’s realized dream my first night in Garden City as I prowled the streets trying to pick up the scent of something tasty to eat. The packed parking lot in an unassuming neighborhood paired with a sign proclaiming over 60 years of great food sucked me in. The absolutely sublime Chile Rellenos made sure I was going to return.

A zarape is a type of traditional Mexican weave that turns vibrant colors of wool into blankets and shaws that men wear over their shoulders and has become to the Mexican restaurant world what Garden has become to the American Chinese restaurant. I’ll leave it up to Mr Cedillo (a very friendly guy) and family tell their own story while I mention what a noticeable treat it is to be served by a team of attentive, soft spoken family members.

On top of history and good service stands the fare. The fried rice is light and fluffy, carnitas never dry, and as mentioned earlier the Rellenos are perfection. The salsa is smooth and plentiful (see the red topped Tupperware container in the photo, right of the Corona?) with the lime and cilantro peeking through the tomatoes. The tortilla chips are home made, the beer always cold, and the sopapillas are enormous (save room). So next time you’re in Garden City support a family that’s been doing things right for a long time by indulging your tastebuds in tradition.

Lamar, CO

Ah Lamar, Colorado. Not quite Kansas but a heavy enough stench of antibiotic laced feed-lot manure and the endless fields of grain wouldn’t have you in the wrong for thinking it was. I used to dread coming here, which is a feeling I don’t like having about anywhere, for everyplace has its charms. Lamar it turns out was just a harder gem to polish.

Willow Creek Park is a lush, grassy area with Frisbee golf, a playground, and a nature trail home to many a white tailed deer that provides a shady place to escape the piercing sun. A quaint downtown with a still functioning cinema playing family friendly movies is powered by a handful of elegant wind towers peeking over the rolling fields and powering the town. A few miles out is the John Martin Reservoir State Park for all your fishing, swimming, and damming needs.

The culinary “scene” here is anchored in the fast food industry with such ubiquitous signage as McDonald’s, Burger King, KFC, and the Midwest favorite, Sonic (I admit, the Frito Burrito, that hand-held adaptation of Frito Pie is pure genius). Gas station mini marts start filling up at 6am as workers heading out to their toils stock up on sandwiches, chips, and heaping bottles of Mountain Dew.

I happen to find myself here for the second time in just as many months, the joy of culinary adventure was exhausted on my last visit allowing objectivity to now hold the spotlight.

Thai Spicy Basil [10 N Main St Lamar, CO 81052 (719) 336-0688] sits right in the center of town adjacent to the Amtrak station and like most of its neighboring structures is quite unassuming. The modern and spacious decor comes as a rather pleasant surprise as you step through the door, setting the mood for what awaits. When it comes to the staff much is left to be desired in the way of courtesy and manners. However, the empath in me admits it must be daunting to be a non-native English speaker in a place where “Welcome to America, Now Speak American” T-shirts may still be an acceptable form of fashion. But a surly waiter I can deal with, especially when tofu is on the way.

The menu alludes to a form of culinary genius found in many economically strained regions of the world in which a handful of available ingredients are mixed, matched, spiced, and served in a multitude of ways. There are a variety of American-Chinese, Thai, and Vietnamese dishes to choose from along with soups and the typical appetizer fair. Now keeping in mind just where we are geographically, Thai Spicy Basil is the best Asian food around. I am all to grateful to be able to dine on a dish devoid of meat and while my “Vietnamese Noodle Bowl”, Pad Thai, and Drunken Noodles pretty much all tasted the same, the spring rolls were flaky and handmade, the portions generous, and the price cheap. In a land of beef the spicy tofu is king.

The Coffee Shop [right down the street from the post office] While the establishment unfortunately remains nameless in my memory I never forget to make a trip there. A recent startup, you’d expect to find this little gem well, elsewhere. With coffee drinks and pastries, Italian sodas, paninis, fresh pasta salads, and cold Izzy’s sodas, I wish it stayed open past 3:30pm. If your passing through and you need a pick me up, stop in, check your mail (and your email) and cool off.

Safeway – [906 E Olive St, Lamar, CO-(719) 336-2540] By far the best meal I had while in Lamar was the one I cooked myself. While I strolled the grossly over-stuffed aisles of packaged food (will Lamarians really buy up 10 wedges of Brie before they rot?) I cringed and bit the bullet of thankfulness for what laid ahead.

In my own rendition of Iron Chef, Safeway provided the catfish fillets, the poblanos, tomatillos, lime and garlic for the relish, the out of season ear of waxy corn, as well as some pasta salad, the charcoal and a 6-pack of Blue Moon. The Country Acres Motel and RV Park (highly recommended over the Cow Palace!) provided the grill and a plate while my Leatherman was the only utensil at my disposal. As the fading day graced all involved with a sweeping, crimson bow of the sun I reveled in finding Lamar’s sweet spot.