It was a bittersweet day when I first discovered Delicias Alvarez Mexican restaurant in Clearlake, because about mid-bite of some wonderful Mexican seafood, I learned that the restaurant was going to close for a while and relocate a few blocks away. The good news was that it wasn’t closing for good. The bad news was that I would have to wait until it reopened before I could return. And since that bittersweet day, it has reopened, and I have returned more than once. I am happy to say it’s everything I loved about Delicias Alvarez and more!
It’s a warm summer day when the thought of cooking anything feels unbearable; the sun stretches overhead, splaying its brightness and growing heat over the landscape. It promises that the heat of the day is just getting started; the thermometer stretches itself up, up, and still further up. And as refreshing as Greek yogurt and berries are for a meal option most days, it doesn’t feel quite so novel by, oh, about mid-summer. I need something different to eat.
A solution happily comes to mind when I remember Delicias Alvarez Mexican restaurant serves my new summer favorite, Aguachile!
An air-conditioned car ride bridges the gap between my idea and its realization. Soon I sit at my table, peer at the menu, and soak in the atmosphere. The cool tile floors frame the freshly painted, colorful walls, stained-glass windows, and murals scattered throughout the restaurant. Around every curve, twist, and bend of the layout, worlds within worlds are created, including a full bar in the back. The booths and warm lighting fit the diner-like feel it’s always had, which Delicias Alvarez still maintains, only with more splashes of color on the walls and mariachi music playing in the background. It’s the spot for large gatherings or more intimate dining experiences because if one room isn’t enough space or is too busy for you, there is always another room to choose from.
It’s still early in the day; I could go for breakfast still, but my heart is set on their aguachile mango con habañero that turns out to be loaded with fresh mango and avocado, perfectly balanced with juicy cucumber, brightly sliced red onions, and just the right amount of Tajín, all paired exquisitely with shrimp. Every bite is fresh, bright, and flavorful, refreshing, and satisfying. It’s all the glory of a fruit salad and as filling as steak without the heaviness. Oh, did I forget to mention the habañero? Yeah, it’s there too, but it creeps up on you and builds over time, disguising itself in the sweetness of the mango and the first taste of the sauce. But once it’s there, there is no turning back. So I dive in and sweat through it. It feels good, like the cleansing of a hot, hot sauna. At the end of my dining experience, it turns out to be equally refreshing despite the sniffs and my glowing face.
I’ll do it again any day!
Luckily for those who don’t like their food served at an 11 heat tolerance, there are several other seafood and ceviche choices on the menu. For a more traditional choice, you can’t go wrong with their generously sized tacos served with grilled onion and serranos along with fresh cucumber and radish. Believe me when I tell you, each taco is a meal in and of itself.
The escape from the heat, friendly service, and beautifully crafted food worked! I am ready for the rest of my day when I brace myself before opening the restaurant doors and face the fiery furnace of the afternoon.
But now I know my secret weapon when it comes to beating the heat. It’s lunch at Delicias Alvarez!
Delicias Alvarez
14084 Lakeshore Dr, Clearlake, CA 95422
(707) 994-2121
