Dona Elpidia - OAXACA DE JUÁREZ

Husband and I are spending a month in Oaxaca and are trying many different restaurants. Casa Elpidia is a quirky little spot, and could be easily missed when walking along the street. The narrow door opens into a garden courtyard that was probably very beautiful in its day, now it looks like it needs some serious attention. The restaurant area is across the court yard and a very tiny,old lady greets you and welcomes you to sit anywhere. This is not a problem because there isn't anyone else in there. We ask, Are you Elpidia? But somehow she says no, she is not Dona Elpidia. Anyhow, on to the food. The Comida Corrida is 50 pesos plus drinks. The botana was an empanada with cheese and spinach, and a tiny bite of Oaxacan cheese. Very good. The sopa was a carrot and squash in a light chicken stock. Kind of bland. Then came a plate of spanish style rice, and pork with white beans in a green mole sauce with a couple of tortillas. Sounds great from the description but just put you to sleep boring. The postre was a small peach that had been cooked with a sugar and liquor. Sweet and good. Our bill was $132 pesos which equates to about $11.00 US. So, what's the problem at that price? Really nothing if you are really broke and hungry, but the food in Mexico is usually so good that, I'd rather keep walking and spend a few more pesos for a great experience.

I first ate at Dona Elpidia's over 40 years ago when it was popular as a regional restaurant and it's still going strong. In answer to my question, the server said that the restaurant has been in operation in the same house for over 60 years. Enter through a small doorway with a tiny wall sign in the heart of the bustling, noisy downtown area, on Miguel Cabrera down a few blocks from the chocolate grinders and near the mercado de artesanias, and pass through into the garden courtyard of a traditional old house. The city noise, especially the buses, seems to disappear into the distance, especially if the canaries are singing. There are a few tables out on the patio overlooking the garden and a few more inside. There was a TV inside that fortunately was turned off. On the day we ate there, we were the only customers and it felt as though we were in a private garden. The very reasonable 60 peso menu del dia comes with a a pitcher of agua de fruta, a small plate of botanas (empanads filled with sqush blossom and quesillo, cubes of queso anda few chicharones), a sopa caldosa (garbanzo bean), a sopa seca (rice) and the plato fuerte (pork with chilaquiles) . Dessert was a rose-flvored arroz con leche. There is no list of what is being served and one just takes what comes as a pleasant surprise. The food is delivered by a down-to -business mature lady who, for all I know, may be the cook as well. It all tastes like food one's Oaxacan grandmother might serve. Check it out, especially if you're in the area.

Located about four blocks south of the Benito Juarez market, you walk through a beautiful garden to the tables on the porch. Doña Elpidia (also known as Casa Elpidia) is open from 8 am to 6 pm and serves simple Oaxacan food. The 5-course comida corrida costs only 50 pesos. It includes a small plate of appetizers, soup, rice or pasta, a meat course and desert as well as a jug of agua de fruta. There is no menu--you get whatever she is serving that day.

Que exquisito sazon de doña elpidia que heredo a sus hijos e hijas es una tradicion y costumbre ir a comer con doña elpidia

Como todo Mexico siempre muy bien atendidos, lugar cómodo, limpio, muy buenos platos, abundantes y a precio módico, mucha gente , se puede decir que nuestro mesero nos hizo una atención realmente personalizada, explicando, los ingredientes de los platos que cosumimos