With so many fantastic restaurants in Paris one's vacation time is hardly enough time, so better fill it up with as many wonderful places to eat local food delites as possible. But what if you've been living in France for several years? For a US expatriate living in Paris what we start to miss isn't French food!

If you're from the west coast USA, as I am, then you're sure to miss one important staple food from your childhood: great Mexican food. After living in Paris for 3 years I began to go into serious withdrawals. You can find some low quality flour tortillas and salsa in the local super market; but when you've grown up eating high quality like I did then you just can't help but feel cheated when all you see in the supermarket is Old El Paso. I admit it fully: I'm a Mexican food snob!

So where to eat some good Mexican food in Paris, since only less than desirable products can be bought in the stores? There is the chain in Paris called Indiana Cafe, which is (to say the least) to be avoided at all costs. Never have I sat down to a more pitiful attempt at TexMex food in all my life. And the Strawberry Margarita they made! They should have been shot at high noon for selling such a sinful destruction of a classic (particularly considering it's not hard to make, so it was beyond me how they could so muck it up).

There are a few privately owned Mexican food places too, but frankly, I never would have written home about any; until I went to Anahuacalli. Anahuacalli is run by a family of immigrants from Mexico, and the moment you enter you're in a different world and may forget you're in Paris! They guide you to your seat accompanied by lively traditional music. Then they set before you the food of the gods. The clouds parted above and a golden beam of light shone down upon the homemade salsa we were given; along with the guacamole and corn chips on our table! I could not contain myself. I stuffed myself silly.

But that isn't all. The menu is full of all those Mexi-favorites you've been missing: burritos slathered in cheesy goodness; enchiladas stuff full of peppers and spicy rice; mole negro chicken delights; and much more. Furthermore, they bring not just one Margarita to your table, but a full pitcher of icy deliciousness from heaven!

Suffice it to say this: if you've been missing some good Mexican food in Paris, then Anahua Calli is the place to go. I've finally found a place in Paris that even other Mexi-food snobs out there are sure to love.

Address: Anahua Calli, 30, rue Bernardins, 75005
Metro: Maubert-Mutualite (Line 10)
Phone: 01 43 26 10 20
Cost: Dinner with drinks is likely to run about 25-30 euros per person.
Website: http://anahuacalli.com/

What to do after: You can walk up to Rue Mouffetard and get a drink on Place de la Contrascarpe or head over to the Paris Mosque for a mint-tea and dessert.