By Jake Trumbo
For Now Utah
Utah has no shortage of Mexican restaurants, but the Blue Iguana in the heart of downtown Salt Lake is serving up something special. The cool, relaxed atmosphere of plants, fountains and a lush outdoor patio set the stage for a remarkable dining experience. But, it’s what’s going on in the kitchen that will have you coming back for a Blue Iguana fix again and again.
Owners Kris Cappaert and Daniel Darger have come to understand what makes a meal special over their 11 years in the restaurant business, and lesson number one is trust the chef. “We didn’t know anything about restaurants except how to eat,” laughs Darger recalling taking over the struggling establishment in 1998. Luckily, the Cardenas family recipes and signature dishes of chef Manuel Castillo brought the diners in droves, tripling the restaurant’s client base from the time it opened.
You’ve heard the expression “the secret’s in the sauce,” but in the Blue Iguana’s case make that seven. That’s because its menu boasts seven different types of mole, a complex and flavorful type of sauce native to the Yucatan region of Mexico. “Moles are a big difference for us,” says Cappaert of her restaurant’s unique offering. These closely guarded recipes take an artisan chef up to a few days to prepare and contain as many as 18 different ingredients, including some unconventional tastes like chocolate or pumpkin seeds complementing a variety of spicy peppers. The result is layers of flavor and a dish that tantalizes every corner of your palate.
The Blue Iguana sports what Darger calls a “comfortable, yet classy” new look, but the staff is made up of a lot of familiar faces — some of whom have been around since the beginning. The loyal, friendly staff is the only thing that hasn’t changed; the prices are still as low as they were three years ago, making it a great choice for any budget. If you can pry yourself away from the moles, try a seafood enchilada with a rich cream sauce or perhaps one of their award-winning margaritas. The menu also offers a great deal of fresh, light choices and vegetarian dishes for the more health conscious.
Never content with simply serving up high-quality Mexican food night after night, the Blue Iguana management and chef Castillo are preparing to add a south of the border twist to an American favorite: the hamburger. Topping 100 percent Kobe beef with a chile relleno to make up the tasty Iguana Burger or an Acapulco Burger covered with ham and grilled pineapple are two of the newest menu additions that are sure to become permanent favorites.
For Darger, it’s always been about “the level of quality and the complexity of the food.” Whether it’s the time-honored tradition of mole making or just an order of the Blue Iguana’s authentic tacos, he says the focus has always been on making good cooking a habit; that devotion to the craft paired with quality ingredients means you’re in for “something really special.”
Details
The Blue Iguana
165 S. West Temple
801-533-8900
Open daily for lunch and dinner
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I’d recommend the Blue Iguana. The food is great, and I love the quirky entrance. When I went, they had live music. Check it out.