Picture this: It’s a balmy evening right after a monsoon storm has passed. The air is still redolent with wet sage and a subtle whiff of ozone. Where do you want to be? Outside on the terrace at Javelina Cantina, a cold prickly pear margarita – on the rocks with lots of salt – firmly in your hand and a big basket of warm tortilla chips on your table. (If it happens to be Monday and before 6 p.m., ask your server for the super-secret $3 house margarita, by request only). You’ll have views of towering Capitol Butte, and the sounds of the cantina’s waterfall will mask the noise from AZ-179. This, my friends, is Sedona’s version of paradise.
It might be obvious, but Mexican classics are the name of the game at Javelina Cantina. For entrées, it’s hard to choose our favorite. We’ve been ordering the chile relleno platter for nearly 20 years (not exaggerating). It features two fresh poblano chilies stuffed with jack cheese and dipped in batter and fried. It’s topped with more cheese and green enchilada sauce. Factor in the rice and beans that come on the side, and you have lunch the following day. The Rocky Point Fish Tacos are available fried or grilled (one of each, please) and feature tilapia topped with a southwestern tartar sauce, lettuce and pico de gallo, all wrapped in a flour tortilla. The Baja Shrimp Tacos include the same toppings, just substitute grilled shrimp for the tilapia. You’ll also find us ordering the Del Mar Salad when we’re trying to be a bit virtuous. Mixed greens are topped with tomatoes, pecans, blue cheese, caramelized onions, cucumbers and your choice of blackened shrimp or scallops (our preference) tossed with a house-made cilantro-lime dressing.
It’s highly doubtful that you’ll have room for dessert after the portions here, but if you do, go for the sopaipillas, a Southwest specialty. Triangles of warm fried dough are drizzled with honey and powdered sugar. Nesting in the middle of all that goodness, you’ll find a scoop of vanilla ice cream. Enjoy it as the setting sun turns the rocks – and those leftover storm clouds – a brilliant shade of pink. What more can you ask for? – Erika Ayn Finch. Photo by Deb Weinkauff.
MORE SEDONA FOOD AND DRINK: Sedona’s best sandwiches, Sedona’s best vegetarian meals, Sedona’s best hot dogs, wine cellars 2014, wine tasting rooms, Sedona’s best pizza, pizza in Old Town Cottonwood, happy hours, barbecue restaurants, deserts, local beers, hamburgers, best Sedona cuisine, Sedona bars, clubs and nightlife, gourmet dining, Sedona restaurant listings, Sedona and Cottonwood chefs
