Latest visit: Mar 2018
First visit: May 2017
As stated in my "Howdy" comeback note, it's somewhat surprising to me how many new "regular" restaurants we've discovered in the last half of 2017. This was not by design either. With that, let me introduce you to Cardona Cafe.
We went here on the strength of their chips. It started with a visit to one of the RJG's favorites this past summer: Tolbert's. The chips were unusually delicious one unsuspecting afternoon. So we asked our waiter where did they come from. Sure enough, Cardona Cafe. They go by the brand name Gloria's, and you can by them in large bags, but they are not to be confused with the Salvadoran restaurant of the same name (somewhere in these pages). So off we went one Sunday morning toward Meacham Field in Fort Worth. In short order, Cardona has become our go-to Sunday breakfast place, when the spirit moves us to have breakfast on a Sunday that is.
Well actually, on that point, the RJG has lunch even though they claim the lunch menu is served later. I love their grilled chicken breast, heavily seasoned, doused in a yummy enchilada sauce and buried in cheese. I forget what they call it, but you'll figure it out. And the rice and beans are delicious. Mrs. RJG loves their variation of Huevos Rancheros, which looks tempting to me as well (maybe I grabbed a bite when she wasn't looking...). And - oh yea huh - the chips are delivered as expected, and are absolutely delicious. And you don't need a salsa to get that deep corn flavor. It's mouthwatering good. I can say without hesitation, these are the best chips I've ever had. Not a small claim right there, given the some 40 cognizant years of eating out at Mexican restaurants. You could go here for the chips only and be happy - and buy a bag for the ride home (and the tortillas are great too!). And even though you don't need salsa, the one they provide is perfect - very flavorful as well (it needs to be) with a nice spicy kick.
Finding Cardona is a bit of a challenge/surprise if you're not initially prepared. It's actually in the middle of an industrial district. It's, in effect, a "restaurant lobby" to the chips and tortilla manufacturing plant. What a great idea! The restaurant is pleasant enough too. I'm not even sure they serve alcohol (I doubt it), but since it's our Sunday breakfast place, I wasn't looking for that either (I know, you're disappointed in me...). This is old fashioned, family oriented, Mexican food. With the best chips ever. Worth the drive.
Well actually, on that point, the RJG has lunch even though they claim the lunch menu is served later. I love their grilled chicken breast, heavily seasoned, doused in a yummy enchilada sauce and buried in cheese. I forget what they call it, but you'll figure it out. And the rice and beans are delicious. Mrs. RJG loves their variation of Huevos Rancheros, which looks tempting to me as well (maybe I grabbed a bite when she wasn't looking...). And - oh yea huh - the chips are delivered as expected, and are absolutely delicious. And you don't need a salsa to get that deep corn flavor. It's mouthwatering good. I can say without hesitation, these are the best chips I've ever had. Not a small claim right there, given the some 40 cognizant years of eating out at Mexican restaurants. You could go here for the chips only and be happy - and buy a bag for the ride home (and the tortillas are great too!). And even though you don't need salsa, the one they provide is perfect - very flavorful as well (it needs to be) with a nice spicy kick.
Finding Cardona is a bit of a challenge/surprise if you're not initially prepared. It's actually in the middle of an industrial district. It's, in effect, a "restaurant lobby" to the chips and tortilla manufacturing plant. What a great idea! The restaurant is pleasant enough too. I'm not even sure they serve alcohol (I doubt it), but since it's our Sunday breakfast place, I wasn't looking for that either (I know, you're disappointed in me...). This is old fashioned, family oriented, Mexican food. With the best chips ever. Worth the drive.
5/7/17; 12/28/17 (new entry); 3/19/18
Comments
I'm not a huge fan of cheese enchiladas in most instances, but in THIS case, the cheese works better with the chile con carne and eggs than the beef. (I normally turn my nose up at cheese enchiladas, to be completely honest. But, it WORKS here!)
Enjoy!