Angela’s Cafe Caught up in the World Cup

It was World Cup fever at Angela’s Cafe on Lexington Street as Mexico took on Croatia Monday afternoon in Brazil.

With $1 tacos and $2 beers during game play, Mexico and World Cup fans alike watched the match that saw Mexico beat Croatia 3-1 in an exciting game.

“That was a great win,” said Angela’s owner Luis Garcia. “But we have a tough game on Sunday.”

Throughout the game fans feasted on the food that has made Angela’s famous both here and nationwide. At each of Mexican’s three goals fans cranked noise makers, cheered and high-fived.

With Mexico soccer stars Rafael Márquez, Javier Hernández, and Andrés Guardado all scoring, the fans inside Angela’s were beaming with national pride.

“This was a great win for Mexico,” said one patron. “I wish I was there.”

Mexico beat Cameroon 1-0, tied Brazil 0-0 and with Monday’s win over Croatia the team will face the red hot Netherlands on Sunday at noon.

“We will be here cheering on Mexico with $1 tacos and $2 beers again,” said Garcia.

Last year, the Food Network’s popular show Diners, Drive Ins and Dives (Triple Ds) debuted its segment on Angela’s and host Guy Fieri was beyond impressed by the Puebla/Mexican cuisine being served at the small corner restaurant on Eagle Hill.

Garcia and his mother, and Angela’s namesake, Angela Atenco Lopez dazzled Fieri with a traditional Puebla dish and staple among Mexican Food enthusiasts.

The entire segment focused on Angela’s Chilaquiles and the dish prepared by Garcia using his mother’s recipe did not disappoint.

Garcia walked Fieri through preparing the dish’s important ‘green sauce’. Garcia showed Fieri how, at Angela’s, nothing comes from a can. Garcia boiled down tomatillos with jalapeños then blended them with garlic, water and stock to a thin liquid. The sauce was then put into a pan where Angela’s homemade fried tortilla chips are added. The sauce is reduced then topped with shredded chicken, fresh Mexican cheese, sliced onions and avocados, fresh sour cream and then fried eggs.

After one bite Fieri was propelled into food ecstasy that only a dish like Angela’s Chilaquiles can cause.

“I’m coming back to get this tomorrow,” said Fieri of the dish.

Fieri was also impressed by how quick Angela makes her homemade tortillas as well as Angela’s Pepian Rojo and Mole Poblano.