The Dining Divas Check Off Cherokee

Street From Their ‘Areas to Try’ List

By Lisa Kampter

As soon as I walked into La Vallesana on Cherokee Street in St. Louis, I had an idea I’d like the place. Being that my Spanish isn’t great, I wasn’t completely confident we’d arrived at the proper restaurant, especially with the tubs of ice cream displayed in a freezer when you walk in the door.   Were we in a heladería (ice cream parlor) or a Mexican restaurant? I’m not sure I cared.

It was exciting that the Dining Divas had agreed to try out a place on Cherokee Street, long on our list of areas to go but also one we were cautious about. Through the years I’d heard “the restaurants close early”.

“They’re not big enough for our group.”

“Parking stinks.”

“It’s kind of a shady area.”

Many positive changes have occurred on Cherokee Street, and I’m glad we went. It was a very active night but too cool for us to dine on the patio at La Vallesana. I was a little concerned when we had to move our group to a different set of tables. Didn’t want to make anyone crabby. Our lopsided tables got old quickly as a few of us tired from using our knees or arms or feet to keep the tables level.

I got a little concerned another time when one of the Divas ordered a libation, and it wasn’t prepared to her liking. Oh no. I prayed it wasn’t one of those nights. Unfortunately, it was.

When her Street Tacos came out looking just like the street tacos I was used to, she complained that they didn’t even look like tacos. That’s the problem when Americans order Mexican at an authentic Mexican restaurant but expect American-Mexican food.

This time, when I prayed, I’d hoped the Unhappy Diva didn’t complain loud enough for anyone else to hear. Tacos are very popular at La Vallesana. Tacos al pastor are loved even more. Perhaps that’s where the Unhappy Diva messed up. She didn’t order the right ones, and she was probably thinking about those from Taco Bell.

The traditional Chicken Enchiladas and the Green Enchiladas were a popular choice with the Divas. The Diva Junior loved her Chicken Nachos. The Inquisitive Diva tried a Steak Fajita Torta. She’d never had a torta before, a Mexican sandwich with a crusty bread and meat. It was soft, airy, and delicious. The Chicken Torta was great too.

Everyone enjoyed the Guacamole and Queso Fundido (a cheese dip), but few were fans of the bean dip. But that was okay. We’d devoured so many chips and salsa; we didn’t need something else to overindulge on.

Which is why I have nothing to say about dessert. We overindulged before we even got a chance to try anything sweet. But I bet it’s great. La Vallesana is known for their popsicles and ice cream.

How fun to grow up around tacos and popsicles, like our young waitress! So when the hot summer nights hit St. Louis, and you know it will, and you have the craving for tacos and popsicles, head for the patio at La Vallesana

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