The sound of a razor-sharp machete being unsheathed, with the blinding silver flash of its blade, is truly unmistakable and unforgettable. And, to be honest, it looks pretty cool strapped to a leather belt.
It’s more or less the same sense of excitement you get at Machete’s Central American Restaurant, 1296 West Covell in Edmond—although here, the blades are much smaller and acceptable at the dinner table.
After hearing rave reviews from several of my Mexican friends about the great food, generous portions and low prices, I headed to Machete’s on a rainy Friday afternoon to see what all the excitement was about.
Near the no-man’s land of a newly developed Edmond shopping center, where you’ll mostly find high-end grocery stores, upscale fitness studios and megachurches as far as the eye can see, in the middle is the uncompromising Machete’s, with its long-bladed logo perched high atop the building.
Walking into Machete’s, I realized this was no taqueria, but a casual dining experience I hadn’t expected. Tucking in my shirttail, my wife and I were seated, and our server gave us menus and took our drink orders.
The full-service setup wasn't the only surprise. Machete’s menu offers something different in the Oklahoma dining scene, with roots primarily in Costa Rican cuisine. Having tried the food a few times in the past, usually from food trucks, I was excited to experience their take.
As we were looking over our menus, my wife ordered a Diet Dr. Pepper ($3.50), and I had their stellar Cappuccino ($5.00), which had the right amount of zip to wake me up on this dreary afternoon.
“I quite like it… more coffee, less sweet!” I thought as we ordered our items.
After a few minutes, our appetizer—the “shareables," per the menu—appeared. They were the Avocados Patacones ($12.00), fried green plantains served with chunky avocado salsa.
“Whoa…” I said, taking another bite. This was a new taste for me, as the plantains were smashed flat into a thick, fruity chip, and with the avocado salsa spread on the top, it created a strange amalgam of flavors that I hadn’t encountered before. You better be sure I'll be making up for lost time!
My wife soon dug into her choice for lunch, the “Machete Style” Quesabirria Quesadilla ($12.00). It had slow-roasted birria beef, Oaxaca cheese, diced onions, sliced jalapeños, and cilantro, all in a handmade corn tortilla and served with crema and consommé.
Paired up with a side of Yucca Fries ($2.00), this was truly mind-blowing. The quesadilla was the size of a dinner plate and double-filled with that birria beef that, when dipped in the ribald consommé, was a glorious and steamy passage to Costa Rican dining.
With the sturdy, well-seasoned fries, my wife and I were in heaven.
For my part, I rolled the dice and came up with the Chorizo y Papas ($13.00) and, I got to say, I won la lotería! It’s a big bowl of sautéed gold potatoes, ground chorizo, onion, and peppers, then topped with crema, and garnished with sliced jalapeños for a big kick.
That was all I needed to feel fulfilled and truly satisfied, as this hearty meal weighed me down in the best way. The potatoes and chorizo provided the basis of flavor, but the savory kick came from the well-balanced peppers and onions, creating a bold take that I ate in one swoop. This was the comfort food I never knew I needed.
Even though I was completely full, I couldn't resist the sinful (but oh-so-holy) Cacao Chocolate Mousse ($7.00)—rich, velvety, deeply chocolatey and balanced by the fresh fruit. Each spoonful melted away a little more of any good judgment I had left until I was staring at the bottom of the bowl.
Wiping my mouth, I had only one regret: that I'd somehow reached the end of a meal unlike anything I'd had before in OKC. Every morsel perfectly fused tradición del viejo mundo with sabores modernos—old-world tradition with a modern twist.
Machete’s is a cut above the rest, and I’ll gladly return to the scene of the crime... again and again.
Cómpralo ya!
-
Follow Louis Fowler on Instagram at @louisfowler78.
