By Jeanne Beechwood
Who doesn’t love Taco Tuesday? Or Taco Wednesday, Thursday, Friday and beyond. The newest Mexican restaurant in south KC is Paleteria El Chavo located at 11902 Blue Ridge Extension in Grandview.
The translation for paleteria is an informal term for popsicle shop. The Paleteria El Chavo is serving fresh Mexican food and ice cream.
The love of Mexican food in the United States came about after the Mexican Revolution. This revolution took place 1910 to 1920. By the time 1920 rolled around, a 30-year dictatorship in Mexico ended and the establishment of a constitutional republic was born. The U.S. soldiers loved the taste of Mexican food and brought the savory dishes back home. Mexican food is tasty and flavorful because of its use of herbs and spices. These dishes are also very aromatic. Regardless of culture, many in the United States eat a Mexican dish at least once a week.
Count me in amigo!
Rene Perez opened his first Paleteria El Chavo in Independence nine years ago. With dreams of opening a second location, Perez brought his restaurant to Grandview on March 7, choosing the city for its diversity. Popular menu items are the fresh tacos and the tortas. This reporter sampled two mouthwatering tacos with ground beef, lettuce, tomato, fresh crumbled cheese and sour cream. It was served on a circular flatbread, slightly toasted. Deliciosa!
This culinary experience was topped off with a strawberry mangonada, a frozen drink that combines sweet, tart and savory flavors. Next trip, this reporter plans to try the paletas naturales. A paletas is like a popsicle, but it also includes small chunks of fruit, nuts and other ingredients for clever flavor combinations. Following that will be a nieve tres Marias or three scoops of your favorite ice cream accented with crumbled cookies, cream, nuts and cherries.
Breakfast offerings are available and are served daily from 9 am to 1 pm. They also offer many lunch and dinner choices throughout the day, including tortas, tacos, quesabirrias, nachos, wings and quesadillas and many more selections. They even offer an American cheeseburger as a kid’s meal option.
The dining room is bright and colorful in hues of blue and yellow, and provides a very casual and festive atmosphere for the whole family. Hours are 9 am to 11 pm daily.
Perez plans to open a third location soon in either Blue Springs or Lee’s Summit.
More information is at paleteriaelchavo.com or 816-832-8190. Buen provecho! (translation: Enjoy your meal!)
Written by Jeanne Beechwood. The Artistic Director of the Martin City Melodrama