The Mexican culture and cuisine is a colorful and versatile experience that many Americans think they are quite familiar with. With many “Americanized” Mexican restaurants in our country including Taco Bell and Chipotle, it can be tough to know what real, authentic Mexican food is. Recently, I discovered a genuine Mexican restaurant right here in the city of Logan called ‘La Tormenta'. I was recommended this restaurant by my friends who say it is their “go-to” spot when they want real and delicious Mexican food on a college-friendly budget. Translated to mean “The Storm” in English, La Tormenta exceeded my expectations and will be visited again by me. Walking into the small restaurant, I did feel a bit out of place. Most of the people there …show more content…
It was served with black beans, rice, cotija cheese, avocado slices, and warm corn tortillas. I chose this plate because I love shrimp and have not had it in this style before. The shrimp was delicious and I really enjoyed the sautéed vegetables with it. I enjoyed the black beans and rice together on the side. The cotija cheese was something that I was not familiar with, but I ended up really enjoying it with my meal. Cotija is a hard cow’s milk cheese that originated from Mexico, and I thought that it was a nice, light cheese that added subtle, sweet flavor to the meal. I made tacos with the shrimp and the corn tortillas and then topped them with the restaurant’s homemade pico de gallo, picked onions, and salsa that is served in small bowls on every table. I really liked that these condiments were homemade and was an essential part of the meal. I thought the salsa was very spicy but still delicious. As a dietetics student, I was quite surprised by how nutritious this meal actually was. American-Mexican food is often seen as unhealthy with large burritos and nachos loaded with processed cheese. However, this meal included a wide variety of nutrients and I was very satisfied after the meal. Historically, Mexican cuisine incorporates fresh fruits, vegetables, and local wide game.1 But the cuisine has since been influenced by other nations and has changed over