Mexican Cuisine Offers Abundant Options for Lenten Dishes
Fridays during Lent are special for both Hispanic and non-Hispanic Catholics, who follow the tradition of not eating meat during the 40-day period between Ash Wednesday and Maundy Thursday. While Lent is not exclusive to Catholics, with other Christian denominations partaking in the time of reflection as well, not eating meat during this season tends to be associated with the Catholic faith.
Many Lenten dishes in Hispanic cuisine have been passed down through generations, evoking nostalgic memories for those who eat them. Nopalitos (sliced prickly pear), green chard, spinach, cheese, fish, shrimp, lentils, and potatoes are some of the classic ingredients found especially on Fridays during Lent and Holy Week.
Restaurants Serving Lenten Dishes in Dallas-Fort Worth
Several Mexican restaurants in the Dallas-Fort Worth area offer a variety of Lenten dishes, catering to the dietary requirements of those observing the Catholic tradition. Here are some restaurants serving Lenten options:
Cuquita’s
At its three locations, Cuquita’s will be serving the traditional Lenten Mexican combination of two shrimp patties, accompanied by rice, nopales, beans, and a plate of lentils. This dish will be available on Fridays during Lent and Holy Week.
Cuquita’s has three locations at 13260 Josey Lane, Valley View Ln, in Farmers Branch; 8076 Spring Valley Rd., in Dallas; and 1957 Northwest Hwy., in Garland. cuquitasrestaurants.com.
El Hoyo Mexican Restaurant
Lent-friendly options at this restaurant include shrimp tortas in nopalitos sauce, fish a la veracruzana, shrimp cocktail, shrimp a la diabla, fish fillet, ceviche, lentil soup, nopalitos salad, and capirotada. El Hoyo Mexican Restaurant is located at 4822 Gaston Ave., in Dallas. facebook.com/elhoyorestaurante.
El Ranchito
On Fridays and Holy Week days, El Ranchito serves a special Lenten dish with breaded fish fillet, lentils, shrimp patties, grilled shrimp, nopales con huevo (eggs with cactus), and capirotada, a bread pudding bathed in a sweet sauce. All of this comes on a single plate. The menu also includes other meatless options. El Ranchito is located at 610 Jefferson Blvd., in Dallas and 3517 S. Cooper St., in Arlington. elranchito-dallas.com.
Hacienda Buffet Carrollton
This restaurant will serve different Lenten dishes on Fridays and the days of Holy Week. Among the options available are fried tilapia, chiles rellenos, seafood broth, ceviche, shrimp cocktail, shrimp patties in pipian, shrimp aguachiles, and breaded shrimp. Hacienda Buffet Carrollton is located at 1927 E. Belt Line Rd., Suite 138, in Carrollton. instagram.com/haciendabuffetcarrollton.
Sales Mexico Lindo Restaurant
This restaurant’s Lenten dish, served on Fridays and Holy Week days, includes lentils, broad beans with nopales, shrimp patties, fish and shrimp tacos, and capirotada. Other meatless options on the menu include cheese enchiladas and chile rellenos. Sales Mexico Lindo Restaurant is located at 7515 E. Grand Ave., in Dallas. mexicolindodallas.com.
Conclusion
Mexican cuisine offers a wide range of delicious and traditional Lenten dishes, catering to the dietary requirements of those observing the Catholic tradition. These restaurants in the Dallas-Fort Worth area provide a variety of options for those looking to indulge in a meat-free meal during the 40-day period between Ash Wednesday and Maundy Thursday.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: What are some traditional Lenten dishes in Mexican cuisine?
A: Some classic ingredients found in Mexican Lenten dishes include nopalitos (sliced prickly pear), green chard, spinach, cheese, fish, shrimp, lentils, and potatoes.
Q: Which restaurants in the Dallas-Fort Worth area offer Lenten dishes?
A: Cuquita’s, El Hoyo Mexican Restaurant, El Ranchito, Hacienda Buffet Carrollton, and Sales Mexico Lindo Restaurant are some of the restaurants in the Dallas-Fort Worth area that offer Lenten dishes.
Q: What are some popular meatless options at these restaurants?
A: Some popular meatless options at these restaurants include shrimp patties, fish fillet, ceviche, lentil soup, nopalitos salad, and capirotada.
