One of my favorite things about traveling is experiencing the community as the locals do. The locals know the best places to shop, see and dine. The Balloon Fiesta in Albuquerque, New Mexico, is an event I’d love to see. After reviewing El Pinto Salsas and Sauces, El Pinto Restaurant is on my dining list regardless of when my travels take me through New Mexico!
Mexican Food is on our menu every week. It appeals to everyone in my family. From tacos to enchiladas and stews, it is a menu night we all look forward to eating. Last week we received salsa and sauces from El Pinto.
They have taken first place in our favorite salsa.
Originally, El Pinto was a restaurant in Albuquerque’s North Valley.
Established in 1962, they feature traditional Mexican dishes from the grandmother matriarch Josephina Chavez-Griggs.
Forty-Seven years later, they are no longer a one-room restaurant but the largest restaurant in the state of New Mexico and are now sharing their award-winning salsa and sauces with the rest of the states!
We received the El Pinto product selection and immediately went to the Roasted Green Chile Sauce. We LOVE green chile, and one bite of this reminded us why. El Pinto Green Chile Sauce is chunky, packed with flavor, and hand-peel their chiles making for an incredible texture and flavor that had us all going back for more!
We aren’t the only ones who think the El Pinto Roasted Green Chile sauce is extraordinary. The 2011 Scovie Awards, the competition for all things spicy, and El Pinto won 1st place for their Roasted Green Chile and Green Chile Taco Salsa!
Don’t let spicy dissuade you. El Pinto offers varying degrees of heat. We sampled the medium, and it was loved by my four-year-old.
Included with our samples was a recipe booklet, and I love new recipes. I confiscated the Roasted Green Chile Sauce and made El Pintos Green Chile Chicken Stew. I did weak it by adding black beans and tomatoes, and the result was complimented by the chef. The stew had a fantastic flavor, and it was hearty and perfect for the first day we received snow.
Over three days, my family consumed three jars of El Pinto, claiming it to be “the best salsa on the planet!” My husband and I couldn’t believe how chunky and thick it is, and I was impressed that my kiddos from four to 20 feasted like heathens without one word about it being too mild or packing too much heat! The Chipolte Salsa gave a kick to quesadillas, and Medium Taco Salsa are exceptional!
The Medium Green Chile Sauce was our next favorite and made an excellent topping for Movie Nachos. Again, chunky and tasty with no prejudice taste buds!
We’re eager to try the El Pinto Medium Enchilada Sauce. I’m thinking it’s going to be the perfect touch to my South Western Enchiladas.
It should also be noted that El Pinto’s Red Chile Sauce and Wild and Fiery Chipotle brought home second place in the Scovie 2011 Awards Competition.
After tasting several varieties, I can honestly say El Pinto knows both chile, and it shows in their quality and consistent flavor!
El Pinto Salsa and Sauces can be located using their store locator or directly through their website, and I suggest the El Pinto Medium Sampler Pack.