Very Pleasant Surprises
News from the Honduras Bay Islands and North Coast
25 November 2000
By Pierre Renaldo, The Coastwatcher©

Do you ever yearn for something different after you have been going to the same places for years? And after you take a second look at what you thought was a bright idea, you may well decide to go back to the humdrum, same old, same old. I can remember one time cruising the beach bars and restaurants along La Ceiba's sin coast, looking for something. Every time anyone suggested that some particular place might be worth a try, my pal Mike would say, "Naw, that's the place were Louie and I got food poisoning." Or, "Lordy, don't even think of that joint. You'll get lockjaw from just drinking out of one of their glasses."

The places were pretty seedy; I'll have to admit. So that night we did not get sick or suckered, because we went back to our old trusty hangout just off Park Centro.

But when I got off the plane last Friday, I just had a hankering for Tex-Mex, and I knew that was a far-fetched dream. You might think that being South of the Border there would be many places like you cherish in the U.S.A., but that is fantasy. I have not found anything remotely resembling a Mexican restaurant anywhere but Tegucigalpa and San Pedro Sula, in my travels around Honduras. They were very good, but not Tex-Mex. That just is not the style here.

I walked out to the main highway to grab a taxi for one fifth the price it costs to board one just outside the airport terminal. By walking for five minutes or less I can usually get a taxi into town for 20LPS instead of the 100LPS at the terminal. That little trick buys me a good lunch, with the Lemps I save, getting a little exercise and loosening up after sitting in the cramped quarters of the plane.

On the way into town I thought I saw a mirage. Honest. I could not believe we were passing a new huge champa with a sign on it that convinced me it was something I needed to investigate. There was a big green chili pepper up in the middle of the name on those neon lights. It was up there for the whole world to see, and it just had to be a Mexican restaurant. Hot diggity! I was going to have Mexican food tonight.

I couldn't get the jist of the sign, the name of the place I mean, because we came upon it unexpectedly and I had to stick my head way out the window, while looking backwards to where we had just come from. The road was bumpy, we were moving away and my eyesight isn't the greatest, so the name really escaped me.

I ventured a question to my non-English speaking driver. "Esta restaurante Mexicano nuevo aqui?"

"Si." He nodded his head in accord.

"Esta bueno?" I fumbled, as I continued with my interrogation.

A shrug of the shoulders was his answer. Oh well, I'll ask at the hotel, I thought to myself. Someone there will have the hot scoop for sure.

I know your are probably thinking to yourself, "What's the big deal about a Mexican restaurant?" You have them all over the place up in Estados Unidos, but we ain't got nothin' even close to them around La Ceiba and environs. So that's why I got so excited. I had that wild Mexican food craving and it just would not go away!

Please understand this is not a food critique column, but when I make a good find I'll pass it on to my readers. You may not even have any cravings for Mexican food when you arrive, and maybe you even hate it. But after you are here for a while you just might get that little tingling sensation on your pallet some time and then you will remember these words.

My friend at the car rental in the hotel said she had heard the food was good but a little pricey. Well fine. If it's good, then the price is right.

The name in Spanish is 'Los Antojos' which interprets roughly into English as, "Special Cravings". Both words were true. It was special, and it satisfied my cravings. There is a gigantic champa under which you can sit at outside tables or the outdoor bar. There is an air conditioned inside dining room too.

The place was nicely appointed, the service was excellent and the food was delicious. I sat at the bar, since the evening was pleasant, with a cool light breeze adding to the comfort. The young man tending the bar was named Marco. He spoke good English. I asked about the chef, and he proudly proclaimed her to be his mother.

A few minutes later a most charming and attractive woman came to where I was sitting and introduced herself as senora chef. She spoke excellent English, and she talked to me for a while about the various dishes she would be introducing as time goes on. The place had only been open for a week, so they were just getting feel for how the dining public liked the current offerings. Later on they will make adjustments to satisfy their clientele, she informed me.

A short time thereafter, I was commenting on my favorites of the night. "Marco," I exclaimed, "Your mama is a very pretty lady, and she cooks as good as she looks." Suddenly, there was a pair of arms around me, and a big kiss was planted on my cheek. I turned to see the chef, whom I did not know was still within earshot.

"I heard, what you said, and thank you for the compliment," laughing the words as she spoke. That was a very pleasant surprise too, a hug and kiss from a beautiful lady. I usually stick my foot in my mouth and get a dirty look.

If you are so inclined you may contact Marco with questions and or reservations, and ask for your cravings to be satisfied on some special occasion, or just to stop by for a friendly visit.

Ask any taxi. The Los Antojos is on the main route into town so they all know it by now. You can e-mail to: Pizzati@laceiba.com

Now if you are tired of eating turkey why not satisfy your special cravings someplace different…Chinese maybe? As always you can contact me with questions or comments at: elouis@globalnet.hn

By Pierre Renaldo, Mountain Coastal S.A,. General Contractors, Construction Management and Construction Consultants.