Delux Redux

I love Delux Café. An unpretentious gem of a dive bar and restaurant located in the otherwise fairly self important food district of the South End. Yup, my hood. The food hood.

Anyways, Delux is superb. The dark interior is comprised of high windows and wood paneling, with most of the light coming from Christmas lights that give you the feeling that someone put them up years ago for the festivities and just decided not to take them down (same with the mini Xmas tree that sits at the end of the bar and the 3 foot tall Santa statue that greets you at the restrooms). A shrine to Elvis, record murals and old art adorn the walls while classics, oldies and the right dose of Johnny Cash play in the background. A full bar (it's CASH ONLY people - again CASH ONLY), two choices of house wine and a slew of beers make this the best watering hole in the South End.



But let's talk about what people might not know Delux for - the food.

The seasonal menu include choices like fresh Atlantic cod, made-to-order fresh fried tortilla chips and mango salsa, veggies and basmati rice and black bean for sides and seafood paella. All the food is made by one cook in a teeny station in the back. Granted, this increases the wait time a bit, but hey, let's not forget you're in a bar here. Order another round and your food'll be up in no time.

About a month ago, I was at the bar when a stranger next to me ordered the cheeseburger (a new summer addition to the menu!). Since then, I've been craving it. And let me tell you, it was worth pining over for a month when I went back this week.

A friend and I started with the warm chévre, shaved apple and beets and arugula salad. Fresh and delicious. We moved on to split the pork enchiladas and the wanted cheeseburger. The enchiladas are one of the most popular items on the menu and for good reason. The burger. Was. Amazing. It's sure to be a staple for me this summer.

I could go on and on about Delux. But really the take away is: go there. It's a gem.

-xo-

eb

It's pork ya dork!

I usually am not a fan of rice. But Delux's basmati is always spot on in flavor and moisture.

 Sliced taters make for fresh fries. The aged cheddar, grilled onions, watercress and dijon mustard give this burger the right amount of bite. NOM.