"Elmer's" - What is Tortilla Soup?

The photo says it all. Mmm, mmm!

 Goodness, it's been too long since I did one of these! After a sad farewell to Montana and the fantastic people I met, the great southward journey began with a much needed stop at Elmer's Restaurant in Pocatello, Idaho. What a great place!

 Walt and Dorothy Elmer originally founded Elmer's in 1960 under the name Elmer's Colonial Pancake House as they originally started out just doing breakfasts. (Apparently Walt kept his secret pancake batter recipe in a safe!) However, due to the increasing popularity, a full menu was eventually printed boasting dishes such as Stuffed Tomatoes with Deviled Eggs, Chocolate and Coconut Waffles and Hawaiian Pineapple Pancakes.  Their goal was to provide top quality food with great service in a homely environment and I can testify that they are still doing just that! Just try their organic, shade-grown, French press coffee...

Trying tortilla soup...

Not a fantastic photo but cameras can't quite
capture flavours

 I ordered a country fried steak with a tortilla soup as a starter because that sounded quizzical and I like quizzical things. Tortilla soup is a Mexican dish usually comprised of things like slightly spicy, shredded chicken, simmered-to-sweet-perfection tomato, sauteed onions and peppers, soft and creamy beans and refreshing cilantro (otherwise known as coriander) topped with strips of lightly toasted tortilla, grated cheese and even a few slices of zingy lime. Sound amazing? Go and try it! 

 Right HERE is a recipe from Jamie Oliver's magazine and there is also a variant of this recipe in his awesome book, 15 Minute Meals. Jamie quite rightly pointed out that using tortillas in soup like this is exactly what the French do with croutons. Tortilla soup can be a real fun dish to do for friends and family because if you leave all the fresh toppings as options on the table with the soup then everyone gets to customize their own bowl. Cool!

Melissa carrying over three plates. I have a great respect for
waiters and waitresses!

Country fried steak and gravy with
deliciously creamy mash and veggies

 So, a huge thank you to the staff at Elmer's, particularly Mellissa and Charlee the waitresses, for continuing to offer fantastic service and really tasty food! I hope I can return someday to eat from the Elmer's menu again...

Seasoned with Exuberance,

Jacob

I got a picture with my waitress, Melissa...

...and some cheeky shots of part of the kitchen!

"To glorify my Savior, Jesus Christ, the Creator 

of the universe and spread further abroad His glorious gospel." - Yours Truly