Frida’s. Pictures of Frida Kahlo adorn the walls, which reminds me of the summers I spent in Mexico City staying at the Casa de Los Amigos and visited Frida Kahlo’s house. Ever since my first summer in Mexico City, Chiapas, and Guatemala I have been searching for food that would be like the flavors I enjoyed in those two summers aboard. I live in Hawai’i, which is known for great Asian food, but can be a desert for those that are looking for those flavors from Mexico and Central America.

First thing I learned in my summers aboard is that there are definite differences in tortillas and frijoles (tortillas and beans). I did not understand the regional aspects that changed depending on where you were. In Mexico City, I had no problem getting corn or flour tortillas and pinto beans. But the closer I got to Guatemala, I found the tortillas to be thicker and black beans more so than the pinto beans. I must be honest; I love black beans more. I prefer thinner flour or corn tortillas because these are easier to eat. The frijoles I ate in Guatemala were mostly black beans. The only time I ate pinto beans was when I went to a Taco Bell in Guatemala City.

After my summers in Mexico and Guatemala, I lived in Los Angeles, so I never thought about not having the things I grew to love, and I mean LOVE. Jamaica, the hibiscus drink that I never knew existed and I lived in Hawai’i where these flowers are everywhere. I learned you can dry out the flower and then turn it into a powder form, which is mixed with sugar and water. The best flan I ever had, which was the only thing I could eat when I first got to Mexico City because my body was still adjusting to the smog level. The distinct types of salsa, which made me aware of what cilantro could do and just how much I loved it. The bootleg Tequila that was so smooth, that I can no longer really drink Jose Cuervo or Patron unless it is in a mixed drink. The Tequila came in an unlabeled bottle with a cork on top and brought up from the basement.

I have been to some good restaurants and food trucks on Oahu looking for that flavor that would remind me of fond times with friends and experiences that I would never have, if I stayed in the US. El Jalisciense food truck in Waikele was a go to for similar street tacos. There was a Santa Cruz Taco truck, but I have not seen it in a long time. El Burrito on Piikoi is not bad, but far from my home. There was Azteca and Jose in Kaimuki, which reminded me more of California than it did Mexico.

When Keoni and Hazel are in Hawai’i, she makes the best salsa that is like gold in our family. The salsa runs out quick and I am normally the last to get it because I am slow. Lupe, who did not really eat a lot of Mexican food turned me on to Frida’s in Waipahu. HELL YEAH! I finally found a place that totally reminds me of those two summers in Mexico. Frida’s is a go to now.

The Waipahu location had lots of parking that was free, so that was appealing. We also found out that Frida’s started out with a truck and now has two locations. Mr. Basto, the owner, told us about how they started in a food truck and then grew to have two locations: one in Waipahu and the other in Ewa. He was right about how fresh the food was and that is one of the reasons it tasted so good.

The tacos came with two salsa selections, and you could choose your meat. I chose the carne asada. The vegetables used for the tacos were fully fresh and has influence in the taste.  The Frida Taco came with the hottest salsa I ever ate. I did not know how hot it was until my face turned red and I went to ask them for sugar. Sugar and milk seem to help with easing the heat. The salsa is peach colored and tasty. The only other salsa I ate that was hot hotter than this was by Hazel for our family.

I also ordered an ala carte street taco with carnitas. This taco was juicy and although carnitas tend to have lots of fat, it was not oily. All the tacos come with salsa, and you can select one that meets your heat level needs. I also got the birria tacos because Lupe said she tried it and it was tasty. My favorite item was the nachos with chicken. The chicken was moist, and I could not stop eating it. I normally do not eat chicken with any type of nacho or taco, but I wanted to try it out. I was thinking of getting an order of nachos to go, but I already ordered enough for more than two people. I also got to drink the jamaica flavored Jarritos.

Everything was fresh and tasty. If there is one restaurant that brings back some of the memories from the summers in Mexico, it would be Frida’s.