Photography by Laura Wiegmann
More than 25 years ago, Fredy Salmoran arrived in the United States at age 17 with big dreams. How big? “I wanted to pursue better opportunities and help my family,” he once told us. “I wanted to have my own business. I wanted to have my own dishes and make my own food.” It took Salmoran several years to learn the local restaurant industry, working in various positions for several well-known establishments. But he eventually opened his own restaurant in 2016 (Mi Lindo Cancun Grill in Annapolis) and grew the business enough to enable him to open another four restaurants since. Those four restaurants are branded as Senor Chile, with locations in Severna Park, Arnold, Edgewater, and Chester on the Eastern Shore. The success and rapid expansion are due to, in Salmoran’s words, being well liked. “We have customers all over Maryland. They asked us to open a new location because they like us. We work with the local community, and we want to do more. We help the schools and churches with fundraisers. We do anything to help the community.”
And the food is par excellence Mexican fare, which we learned first-hand during a visit to the Severna Park location on a spring afternoon.
Arriving for an early dinner after my daughter’s lacrosse game, our ravenous family of four was warmly greeted by the hostess and offered seating inside or out. Weather abiding, we chose an outdoor table, sat down comfortably, and were quickly introduced to our server Esteban. Had it been a touch cooler, we would certainly have dined indoors, where the vibrant atmosphere has a whimsical “Dia de los Muertos” theme matched to tannic-colored wood flooring, tables, and leather-back chairs. If you want to saddle-up to the bar for a craft margarita, cocktail, or cerveza, you can do that, too. A few booths at the opposite side of the room offer cozier confines.
Photography by Laura Wiegmann
But we wanted more…much more. And Senor Chile delivers with large portions. For mains, I ordered a combo platter named Los Amigos featuring one enchilada de mole (I love mole sauce!), one cheese enchilada, one chicken tamale, and one chicken taquito. My wife ordered a California Burrito filled with steak, vegetables, guacamole, pico de gallo, cheese, French fries (!), and chipotle aioli. Daughter chose the Pedros Tacos—three soft corn tortillas with chicken, lettuce, pico de gallo, avocado, and chipotle sauce folded within. Son selected Mexican Street Tacos with chicken as the star protein, topped with cilantro and diced white onion. He also wanted a side of mac-n-cheese because…why not? To top off our meal, we chose an order of Sopes/Picaditas, which are a traditional antojito snack—three handmade corn tortillas topped with beans, queso fresco, lettuce, crema, avocado, and grilled shrimp.
Photography by Laura Wiegmann
Depending on what entrée you order, each plate has a mix of expected fixings: rice, beans, lettuce, sour cream, pico de gallo, guacamole, sliced radishes, and so forth. Want something specific? Just ask. We found the kitchen very accommodating to our wishes. Everyone seems chill at Senor Chile and wants you to enjoy your meal.
It turned out that our eyes were much bigger than our stomachs. The huge portions were more than enough to fill us for the evening and have plenty left over for a day-after lunch (or—wink—late-night snack). I honestly felt each bite of each dish I sampled was quite fine and exhibited familiar flavors, with freshness—very fresh—being key.
Photography by Laura Wiegmann
The menu is voluminous, so discovering a new take on a classic dish or a new dish altogether is easy. There’s a range of homemade soups, their “famous” birria, and plenty unique entrees that I look forward to trying on our next visit. I wish I left room for dessert—flan or tres leches cake look tempting—but that will have to wait until next time as well.
My advice. Activate your own feast mode at a nearby Senor Chile location for a fun, filling, and easy-going Mexican dining experience.
Senor Chile | locations in Severna Park, Arnold, Edgewater, and Chester; senorschile.com
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