Either they changed the recipe or we have changed

@GardenGerty (157648)
United States
August 12, 2023 5:46am CST
After Bob's nap yesterday we went to a Mexican restaurant we have liked in the past. Last year with Bob sick and then caring for my sister we got out of the habit of eating out much at all. Of course prices have gone way up , but it was my birthday, so we went to celebrate. My food tasted--okay--mostly. The restaurant was jam packed full of customers, wall to wall. I got a dish I have had before, but somehow the beef enchilada tasted not as good. The seasoning in the chicken enchilada was good, though.The red sauce left my mouth burning, as well. Not jalapeno spicy, but more like cayenne peppers. I loved the fresh taste of the shredded lettuce, guacamole, and it was fine. at home I usually eat dark greens and spinach, etc. This was iceberg lettuce and it is harder to digest. So something was hard to digest and bothered me overnight. I also felt like although the plate was hot, the enchiladas were not as hot as they should have been. I loved the refried beans and rice, though. Nicely seasoned. Also different from what I remember, but in a better way. The background noise was hard for Bob with his hearing aids, but that is what you get when you go out to eat on Friday night in the middle of the evening rush. This morning I am eating some very calming oatmeal.
14 people like this
13 responses
@JudyEv (326098)
• Rockingham, Australia
12 Aug
It can come as a bit of a shock when a restaurant suddenly changes its menus/tastes whatever.
2 people like this
@GardenGerty (157648)
• United States
15 Aug
It may not have been so sudden, as we have not been in ages. It seems to agree with everyone around there, though. The place was full.
1 person likes this
@jerzgirl (9234)
• United States
15 Aug
If they make it fresh, the cook might not have used as much seasoning this time or the preseasoning of the chicken wasn't done as well as before. It all sounds good to me. Happy birthday, belatedly!
1 person likes this
@GardenGerty (157648)
• United States
15 Aug
The chicken tasted good, but not hot. Something about the beef was off though. I think what really got to me was the burning sensation from the enchilada sauce.
1 person likes this
@GardenGerty (157648)
• United States
20 Aug
@jerzgirl That soup sounds disgusting.
1 person likes this
@jerzgirl (9234)
• United States
16 Aug
@GardenGerty Kind of like our experience last night with the usually good onion soup tasting like vinegar mixed with water and old bay seasoning. It triggered an IBS attack. We did get alternative soups, though. They said the cook was new. Was he even experienced?
1 person likes this
@snowy22315 (170313)
• United States
12 Aug
I don't like when a place changes a dish that I like. I am always longing for the original. They built a Mexican restaurant in this area. It is pretty good, and they make some beautiful food, but their prices are alot higher than the one they have in the nearby little town. The one out here is just easier to get to.
1 person likes this
@GardenGerty (157648)
• United States
15 Aug
We had to drive 25 miles for this one. Nothing is real easy to get to for us.
1 person likes this
@snowy22315 (170313)
• United States
16 Aug
@GardenGerty Same here, but not 25 miles .More like 8 to 12.
@rebelann (111243)
• El Paso, Texas
12 Aug
It sounds to me like they substituted cayenne pepper for jalapeno, cayenne is find with some dishes but I don't want it in my Mexican food. Most restaurants here use green chiles, jalapenos or habanero peppers. Oh, I have noticed that I don't like some foods as much as I used to but I can't figure out why. Maybe it's that my taste has changed or something.
1 person likes this
@GardenGerty (157648)
• United States
15 Aug
I did not think they used jalapeno in red enchilada sauce. Whatever it was it had a bite.
1 person likes this
@rebelann (111243)
• El Paso, Texas
15 Aug
I'm mistaken, I forgot they usually use chili powder in the sauce.
@LindaOHio (156852)
• United States
13 Aug
I'm sorry the meal disappointed you a little. I hate when they change my favorite meal. Have a good rest of your weekend.
1 person likes this
@GardenGerty (157648)
• United States
15 Aug
It was a good weekend. Thanks.
1 person likes this
@LindaOHio (156852)
• United States
16 Aug
@GardenGerty You're very welcome.
@arunima25 (85498)
• Bangalore, India
12 Aug
Sorry that the iceberg lettuce didn't go well and bothered you later. Hope that the oatmeal helps to calm it down. Happy belated birthday. I wish you year full of happiness and health. Take care
1 person likes this
@GardenGerty (157648)
• United States
15 Aug
Thank you for the kind wishes. I like oatmeal and it is so very good for us.
1 person likes this
@arunima25 (85498)
• Bangalore, India
16 Aug
@GardenGerty Yes, it is. It's good to eat when you want to calm down upset stomach. Also, oatmeal bath is good to sooth itchy skin.
@AmbiePam (85660)
• United States
12 Aug
I didn’t get to sing you happy happy birthday, so just imagine a decent voice from Oklahoma singing it to you. That might scare you a little. It would be great if restaurants didn’t change the recipes for food that already works for people. It’s like when they changed the taste of Coke decades ago.
1 person likes this
@GardenGerty (157648)
• United States
15 Aug
This seemed to be working well for everyone else. This was the most full I have ever seen the restaurant. thanks for the sweet tunes.
1 person likes this
@BarBaraPrz (45568)
• St. Catharines, Ontario
12 Aug
Maybe they got a new chef, or they're making do with the reality of rising prices, shortages and whatnot. Whatever it was, it was not nice to find out on your birthday when you were expecting a treat.
1 person likes this
@GardenGerty (157648)
• United States
15 Aug
The seasonings seem to be appealing to a lot of people. I have never seen that place so full before!! I am so out of the habit of eating out.
1 person likes this
@much2say (53944)
• Los Angeles, California
12 Aug
A Happy Birthday to you ! We did not get any restaurant food throughout covid, but when we finally did, we weren't sure too if these places changed recipes or if our taste buds changed. I think it may be both. The prices have definitely changed !
1 person likes this
@GardenGerty (157648)
• United States
15 Aug
We were here about a year ago, and it just tasted different this time. Of course I have been stressing a lot this summer as well.
1 person likes this
@much2say (53944)
• Los Angeles, California
16 Aug
@GardenGerty If anything, portions seem different too .
@LadyDuck (458867)
• Switzerland
12 Aug
Belated Happy Birthday. I cannot digest iceberg lettuce, I do not even buy anymore, it gives me problems every time I eat. May be the restaurant replaced the cook. This is what they did at the Indian restaurant where we used to go. We do not go anymore.
1 person likes this
@GardenGerty (157648)
• United States
15 Aug
Mexican food always has shredded iceberg here, but you are right. I do not buy it. It could be a different cook or maybe just a different recipe.
1 person likes this
@LadyDuck (458867)
• Switzerland
16 Aug
@GardenGerty It is because restaurants adjust their recipes for the taste of the local populations. Mexican restaurants to do not use shredded iceberg here, as this is not at all a popular kind of lettuce here.
@wolfgirl569 (95562)
• Marion, Ohio
12 Aug
They do change things at times
1 person likes this
@GardenGerty (157648)
• United States
15 Aug
Yes, they do and I am turning into an old fuddy duddy.
1 person likes this
@wolfgirl569 (95562)
• Marion, Ohio
16 Aug
@GardenGerty I like things to stay the same too
@RasmaSandra (73642)
• Daytona Beach, Florida
12 Aug
Glad you got to go out for your birthday but sorry the food disappointed. I have not been out in ages but I also know that when I returned to the US from Latvia I was eager to eat my once favorite foods and suddenly some were too salty and some did not taste the same so it happens always that way. You expect a certain taste or flavor and when it seems different it always disappoints. Thank you for reminding me I have oatmeal at home
1 person likes this
@GardenGerty (157648)
• United States
15 Aug
Aoatmeal is always good.
1 person likes this
• United States
12 Aug
Happy Birthday Sorry to hear that your dinner was disappointing. I'm sure they probably changed up the recipe a bit and that's why it tasted different.
1 person likes this
@GardenGerty (157648)
• United States
15 Aug
That and I do not think the enchiladas were heated enough.