The Crema de Chile Poblano at Mexico’s Deli

Mexico’s Deli (2374 Dairy Ashford) still gets my vote for the best and most creative Mexican torta in Houston.

But recently, I tried the crema de chile poblano soup, and it was so good and so spicy, I’m already dreaming of getting to that side of town for another.

Cremas are soups thickened with either milk or cream. You take a vegetable, in this case the fresh chile poblano, sauté it in oil or butter with onion and garlic, puree it and thicken it into a rich soup with cream or milk and chicken stock.

But the soup is just a starter. Also be sure to order up one of the specialty tortas or a taco al pastor. And see if owner Alex Garcia is around for a chat. He’s bilingual and will help you through Torta 101.

This article appears in May 14-20, 2009.