La Posta de Acapulco (El Cajon/Lakeside location)

You're reading this mmm-yoso!!! food blog from an air conditioned location, aren't you? Cathy is writing from a Starbucks in Santee because the present temperature is 99•.  Crazy hot days lately! 

Our home does not have an air conditioner.  There, I've said it.  The Mister and I decided long ago that since we grew up in the humid Midwest and East coast in homes without such a convenience, we could do it as adults.  For several days a year, we regret our choice. Even though it does get cooler in the evenings, the oven-like blast of heat that hits when we open the front door to venture outside to check the mailbox around noon has been debilitating.  

East County has had some overcast days filled with thunderstorms (and therefore) humidity.

 

Needless to say, I have not wanted to cook.  At all.  

I had to meet a business client in Lakeside, just off of Los Coches Road and afterwards, drove under the 8 freeway, to the second signal light where the city line is drawn and the location is technically El Cajon. The perfect place to eat is here. 

La Posta has three locations-this newest one in El Cajon. Other locations are in Spring Valley and teh Hillcrest area of San Diego. 

This location is quite large; it looks like they took over the space in the next storefront.  

The salsa bar is filled with three very fresh house made salsas, pickled carrots, limes and an onion cilantro mix. Simple and very good. 

You order and pay, and then chips and silverware s brought to your table, and soon, your food is brought out to you also.  No number to place on your table; they remember everyone. 

'

The shredded beef Mexican salad here ($5.25) is unique-the shell is large and formed so it is deep- and there are no beans.  It is mainly lettuce, meat and cheese (as well as sour cream, cucumber slices and chunky salsa). The stewed meat is very juicy and flavorful. This is a deceptively large salad.

The side order of chile relleno ($3) is something The Mister and I always order here.  It's made to order and really, really good- a fresh chile stuffed with cheese and dipped in a light batter and fried.  The sauce for the relleno is made here, not the same as the enchilada sauce and has a deep, rich flavor.  

On this hot, humid day, I wanted something not heated...the shrimp ceviche tostada ($3.50) is exquisite. The shrimp are very large and flavorful, chopped into thirds, mixed with a simple tomato-onion-cilantro mix then cooked in lime juice.  So refreshing and fresh.

I hope everyone stays cool this long weekend!

La Posta de Acapulco 8575 Los Coches Road El Cajon, CA 92021-8815 (619) 443-5522

Comments

[Ann]

That chili relleno is an absolute steal at 3 bucks.

[Soo]

That's impressive you don't have air conditioning! I turned mine on for the first time this year yesterday. Heat was too much for me.

[caninecologne]

Just looking at that shrimp ceviche, I think we'll have that or some sort of mariscos (from one of our local joints in CV) for tomorrow. Don't feel like cookin'!

We also don't have AC. We just open up all the windows to get a cross breeze.

[Cathy]

Yes, it's a great price for a quality product, Ann. Recently, when we go out, usually some or all of our order is from the 'side order' or 'appetizer' part of the menu and this was great find. Welcome to the comment side of our blog.

Soo-we installed insulating windows decades ago in anticipation of eventually getting a/c installed and never thought we needed to; the windows work very well...but the other day the humidity was just too much.

Yes, ceviche is good any time of the year, and so refreshing in the summer, cc. This version at La Posta is particularly good. The cross breeze is what we did growing up, and it works...but this recent heat with humidity was so unusual.

[Soo]

Did you get low e glass? I bought double paned windows with low e glass but my west facing room is still really hot. During the summer I can feel the wall heating up and a good amount of heat is still coming through the glass.
http://www.milgard.com/understanding-windows-and-doors/energy-efficient-windows/what-to-look-for/

[Cathy]

Oh yes, Low-E glass, Soo. I don't remember the brand (it was between WindowMaster and MilgardWindow and their symbols are similar) and do remember we had a spacer choice of 1/2 inch or 3/4, and got the 3/4, as it is more efficient. Prior to the new windows, I could hold my hand one foot from the West window and feel heat; now I can touch it and it's still cool.

[Soo]

Your experience is better than mine. I didn't get a choice on the spacer. If I leave the window open direct sun comes in and makes the room really hot. Closing the window slows down the heating process but the room becomes hot. Touching the window I can feel the warmth of the sun heating it. I found out that they now have an even better glass called low e squared. I'll try that if the window needs replacing.

[Mary]

The toastada looks delicious with all of that shrimp! Yum! I had some terrible Mexican food earlier this week and I always feel like I have to go somewhere good to "make up for it".

[Cathy]

It was a really great shrimp ceviche, Mary. I hope you made it out here, or found some sort of ceviche somewhere on this crazy heat weekend.