When a Mexican acquaintance says that Zapoteca Mexican Grill and Seafood is the most authentic Mexican restaurant in South Surrey, you believe her.
I am working in South Surrey this week to train my replacement (I am leaving
my current job). Since I am rarely on this side of Metro Vancouver, I sent a
message to a former colleague, and we scheduled to have dinner this
evening.
We arrived at Zapoteca Mexican Grill and Seafood and got
the last table on their patio that was not reserved. It's definitely different
from the Tex-Mex (Americanized Mexican) food you see at most of the places in
Metro Vancouver. I don't recognize most dish names except for the one I
ordered, which is the Barbacoa, while my friend chose Totopos for us to share.
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Totopos from Zapoteca Mexican Grill and Seafood Fresh made guacamole, pumpkin seeds, feta cheese, pico de Gallo, house made corn chips |
The house-made corn chips are amazing. It's obviously fried and made in the restaurant. I've only seen one other restaurant that makes their corn chips fresh in-store: The Mexican Antojitos y Cantina in Downtown Vancouver. It's served with fresh pico de gallo and creamy guacamole.
Barbacoa felt the safest option because it's something I have heard previously. It was served in a stone mortar with banana leaves at the bottom. It is accompanied by cilantro, onions, habanero sauce, and corn tortillas.
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Barbacoa from Zapoteca Mexican Grill and Seafood Slow braised beef sirloin and pork shoulder with beer and dried chiles, served in a stone mortar with banana leaves, cilantro, onions, habanero sauce, and corn tortillas. |
The meat is so tender and quickly falls apart. I took a corn tortilla and used it as a base for building a Barbacoa taco. In one taco, I ate it with just meat. I added a habanero sauce making a spicy taco on the next one. Then, I tried one with onions. Lastly, a mix of everything. I never knew eating tacos could be this fun and amusing - each taco is so different.
