Parking in West Hartford Center is a huge pain in the butt. Parallel parking while on busy roads is excruciating, but it’s even worse when there aren’t any open spaces. Leave the Center, and pop over to Elmwood for fresh flavors and legitimate cuisine.
When in West Hartford on a Friday night, Frida Restaurant in Elmwood is the perfect place to pick up a bite of delicious, authentic Mexican food. A family-owned business run by Colombian-Mexican duo Sandra and Juan Sanchez, the delicious plates shine with detail and flavor. After moving to the United States at 19 years old, Sandra struggled to find a job that she was passionate about, made a living, and did not pose a language barrier. She made her way into the restaurant industry and realized her love of food. With the help of Juan, she lived out her dreams of sharing her culture through delicious meals.
The Frida parking lot is behind the restaurant, and as you walk to the front, you pass a medium-sized patio that looks to seat up to 10 parties. As you walk into the restaurant, you are greeted by paintings and drawings of Mexican painter Frida Kahlo. With her thick, dark hair always pulled on top of her head, and her iconic unibrow, she is a very recognizable woman. These beautiful decorations showcase Hispanic culture and send excitement through the body at the expectation of a delicious meal.
After a relatively short wait for a Saturday evening, my party of four was seated at a booth in the back. With a large bar, lots of TVs, and many tables with kids menus, this restaurant fits everyone’s needs. Because the laminated menu has Frida Kahlo’s face on it, it’s easy to tell who inspired the restaurant’s name.
After arriving at the table, complimentary, fresh, homemade tortilla chips and mouth-watering tomato and cilantro salsa arrive for you to devour.
With a very diverse drink menu, consisting of cocktails, mocktails, wine, and beer, there are enough options to fit everyone’s needs. My dad ordered “Frida’s Heart,” which arrived in an adorable heart glass. It was a tequila and fruit blend which was sweeter than the preferred taste.
We started with an appetizer of fresh guacamole and delicious nachos. While the guac wasn’t the biggest helping, it was just enough for our party of four to savor and enjoy the mix of mashed avocados, tomatoes, salsa, and onions. The nachos contained a perfect blend of lettuce, tomatoes, fresh chips, queso and shredded cheese, chicken, and refried beans. These two appetizers were the perfect way to start off our dinner.
The restaurant was bustling with hungry people, and the customer service was great, considering all the tables were full. There was a comfortable noise level; everyone was heard at the table, but it wasn’t silent throughout the restaurant.
When it comes to entrees, Frida’s has everything a person could hope for. From salads and enchiladas to tacos and fish, there is something for everyone, including 12 appetizers, salads, and a variety of sides. As for me, I tried the “Tacos de Camaron.” With a delicate, shrimp flavor, an interesting salsa combo, and spicy aioli, these were delicious. They came with rice on the side, which unfortunately was pretty bland.
My brother’s girlfriend, Maya, ordered the “Frida Salad” which was a beautiful array of greens, corn, beans, avocado, cheese, and tortilla strips with a Balsamic vinaigrette. She added shrimp on top for some tasty protein. She thoroughly enjoyed it and highly recommends it to anyone looking for a healthy and delicious meal.
Overall, Frida Restaurant in Elmwood, West Hartford is a must-try for authentic Mexican food made by people who love to cook. From 11 a.m. to nine p.m. from Sunday to Thursday and 11 a.m. to 10 p.m. on Friday and Saturday, everyone should go check it out.
