I loved this place from the minute I saw it passing by on
the way to Ortega Highway as I was cutting through the mountains between
Temecula and Orange county. The place was jumping off the street at me,
and I’ve been wanting to stop there for months. Today was the day.
Molcajetes is independent, not even a web site or email,
but that’s fine with me. They have a full menu, not just tamales, but
when it says "tamales" on the side of the building, you can bet that’s
what they’re known for!
There is a small seating àrea inside, but I was in a hurry and had to take my tamales to go. I tried three kinds.
The pork and chicken tamales were generous of size and
perfectly-made, a wonderful treat and I would recommend Molcajetes for
that alone.
That said, OMG THE PINAPPLE-COCONUT TAMALES ARE AMAZING!!!
I have never had anything like this dessert tamale, and it
is spectacularly wonderful! A little larger than the generous dinner
tamales, they are ample. The texture is different, a little more like
cornbread cake than the teaditional "fried polenta" texture of dinner
tomales. I suspect that has to do with the coconut in them. The coconut
must be ground, not shredded. It doesn’t get between your teeth, which I
hate. The flavor was a subtly-sweet and gentle blend of corn, coconut,
and pineapple that is warm and wonderful and melts in your mouth. You
have to taste it to believe it!!
The restaurant was staffed by a pleasant 30-something couple that I think are the owners. I will definitely be back to find out!
Go, and pray that they always have these wonders of the pineapple dish kingdom!
I am in love.
Dan
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