Don't Drink the Water or You Will Be Back

The almost native Yuman (of the Arizona type), will often warn those who complain, gripe, or rip to shreds our oasis in the desert, against drinking the water. Why? Because there is something about the water here... maybe... but whatever it is, many who leave find themselves back.

On the surface, Yuma is boring, dry, ugly, and boring. (Did I already say boring?) What many don't realize, and often not until they return (some kicking and screaming the way I did), is that Yuma is filled with amazing secrets. One secret is that of our heritage families like the Redondos', Sanguinettis', and the Gutierrez', who have kept the old flavor of Yuma alive. Oh. Did I say flavor?

Yuma is filled with restaurants and patrons, who have become Mexican food artisans. And anyone, visitor or defector, cannot, I mean cannot, deny no matter how hard they try, that Yuma's Mexican food is superior to all. But it's not just the food, it's the atmosphere. One such restaurant, Mi Ranchito, welcomes customers into richly toned rooms of marigold where portraits of familia grace walls between landscapes of Mexico. The music is mariachi and the food is delicious and plentiful. In contrast to Mi Ranchito, Yuma also seats numerous restaurants where only 'locals' dine and although the motif of said few (actually many), is not as festive, the food is the same... magnifico!

La Casa Gutierrez is an old residence located in 'Old Yuma' on historic Orange Avenue. It is a quaint restaurant with tables and chairs placed in and about the original floor plan. Libations are your choice; you bring your own, but don't forget your corkscrew. Inconvenience? No. Not when you consider that the corking charge is free. La Casa, as Yumans' call it, tried to close once, but mutiny erupted among the townspeople, and thus, we still have our La Casa.

Yuma holds many secrets, and I intend to reveal them all. As far as dining? I apologize to those who have enjoyed the short waits for a table.