After the sand dunes give way to lettuce fields, you'll come up on the city of El Centro in California's Imperial Valley. The mid-sized farming town sports a dozen Mexican restaurants right off the freeway, serving everything from raspados to Acapulco-style green pozole.
Tacos de Pescado Marlyn: For a quick plate of tacos and a cold Dos Equis, head over to Tacos de Pescado Marlyn. Baja California is still 45 minutes away, but you wouldn't know it from the fresh fish ceviche tostadas and Ensenada shrimp tacos. The salsa bar is beautiful and fresh, but be careful about that bright orange "Yahualica" salsa. It's really hot!
Facebook: facebook.com/tacosmarlyn86 , Phone: 760-353-1686 , Address: 1614 S. Fourth St., El Centro
Jardin Hawaiiano: There's a little Mexican sweets shop right next door called Jardin Hawaiiano that sells fresh jugos and raspados for the summer heat. The mango raspado with chamoy sauce is a winning combination of contradictory flavors, with the sweet fruit playing off the intense spicy sauce.
Phone: 760-352-0759 , Address: 1600 S. Fourth St., El Centro
Antojitos Como En Casa: This homey Mexican kitchen is packed with trucker types and people enjoying gorgeous caldo stews. The vibrant green pozole can't be missed, but on weekends the restaurant also serves a dish called the lamb mixiote, which features lamb cooked in agave leaves. They also do breakfast.
Website: antojitoscomoencasa.com, Phone: 760-482-5621 , Address: 425 Desert Gardens Drive, #C., El Centro
