Some Like it Mild: Which L-W Salsa Brings the Flavor, Not the Spice

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There are many health benefits to salsa. Not only are tomatoes loaded with Vitamin C, Vitamin A and antioxidants, but new studies about the health benefits of chili peppers show that they aid in digestion, speed up the metabolism and reduce risks of heart attack and stroke. Salsa deserves a month in its honor.

The word "salsa" in Spanish literally translates to "sauce," so the American habit of saying "salsa sauce" is cringe worthy and should be avoided. There are infinite types of salsa, depending on the country of origin, the ingredients on hand, and the preferences of the cook. Most types of red salsa (salsa roja) have a cooked tomato and chili pepper base and vary greatly depending on the type of pepper used and which other seasonings are included. Pico de gallo is a raw salsa generally made with chopped tomatoes, diced jalapeños, diced onions, lime juice and chopped cilantro. Salsa verde (green salsa) is usually a cooked salsa made with tomatillos (green cousins of the tomato).

Spicy salsa, which relies on spicier peppers such as habanero or serrano, always makes an impact, but achieving a distinct flavor without heat seems to be a challenge, making it harder to find a tasty and memorable mild salsa. This week, I visited three local Mexican restaurants and tried their chips with mild salsa to find the tastiest combination.

, Frankfort

This taco place has a wide variety of salsas, so I asked for their two mild salsa varieties to accompany the chips: the chunky red and the salsa verde. Unfortunately, the red salsa had strong notes of vinegar and the green salsa was very watery. The chips, which I suspect are fried on site, are thick and hard.

The good: They offer their salsas and chips in various sizes, ensuring that you always bring home enough to please the crowd.

The bad: Both of the mild salsas and the chips were disappointing, which is a shame because in general Buenas Nachos has good food.

, Mokena

At LA Cafe (the cousin to New Lenox's ), I ordered a to go meal and chips and salsa, and was delighted that a generous order of chips and salsa was included with the meal at no extra cost. The chips from LA Cafe are light and crisp, and the salsa, which is red, chunky, and very flavorful, was plentiful. I noted lots of cilantro in the salsa, which to me is not usually a good thing, but in this case, the cilantro accented rather than dominated.

The good: The chips and salsa were both very tasty.

The bad: I wasn't nearly as crazy about the meal I ordered as I was about the free chips and salsa.

, New Lenox

The chips from Loco tend to be slightly hard for my taste, but definitely better than the ones from Buenas Nachos. I asked for their green salsa, which is mild, and for fun I asked for their red salsa, too, which is medium. The green salsa, while thin and not life-changing, has more flavor than the green salsa from Buenas Nachos, and the red salsa is smooth and flavorful, with a touch of chipotle smokiness.

The good: Locos' salsas are tasty enough to complement tacos and burritos.

The bad: Locos' salsas don't pack much of a wallop, making them too weak to stand on their own against chips.

THE WINNER: LA Cafe. While I'm not excited to eat a meal there again anytime soon, the chips and salsa definitely stood above the rest. The mild chunky salsa tasted fresh and had just the right amount of cilantro.

Looking for local eats? Do you disagree with our taster? Head  over to your local Patch Places food and dining directory. Find new spots, read reviews and even post a your own reviews on the profile pages.

• Frankfort establishments
• New Lenox establishments
• Mokena establishments

Next week, we're trying pulled pork sandwiches at three area restaurants. Tell us if you have any suggestions!