Ladies that Lunch - Chiwawa

Overton Park is really coming up in the world lately!  After standing sad, dejected, and empty for years, the old Chicago Pizza Factory has had a fabulous face lift and reopened as a taco & hot dog joint called Chiwawa.  A little history from the Memphis Flyer:

When it opened in 1970, Overton Square was the city's premier entertainment district, a grouping of some 30 shops, clubs, and restaurants. Centered around the intersection of Madison and Cooper, the district soon stretched down the street and eventually included this building, which opened in 1972 as Sweet Caroline's and later changed its name to the Chicago Pizza Factory. Overton Square eventually lost much of its appeal, and this business locked its doors in 1989, but the building has remained something of a time capsule. Peer through the windows, and you'd think it closed last night. Tables and chairs, complete with salt and pepper shakers and napkin holders, are still inside, as if diners had just stepped away. The owner, contacted numerous times by potential buyers, steadfastly refuses to sell the property. 

There's a rumor that the property was split in a divorce and the husband refused to sell so that his ex would get diddly.  I don't know about the truth to that.  But it would explain why such a nice spot has been empty for so long.

Ready to check it out, I met the ladies earlier this week and we got to enjoy their lovely - and large! - patio.  The inside was nice as well.  The new owners did a great job of redoing the place.  Nice, new & funky, but comfortable & warm.

The menu looked great so I had a tough time deciding what to get.  I'm getting ready to hit the beach so I tried to pick light.  But I couldn't stay away from a couple of Anita's pork rinds.  They were so good!  Thick, crunchy, and warm.  Great flavor.

Chicharrones with chili-lime sauce

The tacos were soooo pretty when they came.  I got one Tacos de Hongas y Poblano (portabella, polano rajas, cabbage, salsa fresca, avocado) and one Tacos de Pescado (grilled tilapia, avocado, corn salsa, cabbage, and chipotle aioli).

THIS is eating fresh

They were oh-so-very tasty!  And the service was great too.  I must say, I did wish that I had traded the mushroom taco for the shrimp taco my friend had.  The mushroom was fine.  But the shrimp looked fantastic.  And I love me some shrimp!

And you know what?  I've already been back.  A couple days later, I went with my girl friend who wanted to give it a whirl and I got the shrimp.  It was just as good as it looked.

Chiwawa was a great experience both times.  I'll definitely be back.  And after the beach, I'm getting their bacon-wrapped hot dog!  That seems like a life-must.