🍴 Yummy Eats Diary! 😋

Here's a roundup of some scrumptious eats I've enjoyed recently in downtown Winston-Salem, all centrally located and averaging $15-$20 per meal (excluding drinks and tips). I have a bold palate, especially loving rich, salty, and spicy flavors, so the spots I'm sharing definitely cater to that taste! 😋 1. Cugino Forno Pizzeria An Italian gem that doesn't skimp on the toppings! Their pizza, dripping with deliciousness, rivals those from the streetside pizzerias in Italy. I tried the classic Margherita with added salami topping, and it was a hit! 🍕 But heads up, it's a bit hidden; you'll need to descend some stairs to find this spot—easy to miss if you're driving! 🤣 2. Xcaret Mexican Grill and Cantina This Mexican spot is a must-try. I ordered the cazuelon—chickpea mash with cheese that was incredibly fragrant. I asked for the thin steak to be well-done, and it was perfect, not dry at all, and easy to cut, with no pink in sight—just pure deliciousness! 🌮👨‍🍳 (Whoever says well-done can't be tasty hasn't met a master chef!) Plus, they gave us two thin pancakes to make our own burritos. Not sure if it's standard or because I'm a foreigner, as it wasn't listed on the menu, but what a treat! The restaurant's bright orange decor and whimsical, playful chairs felt like dining in a children's amusement park castle! 😂 Definitely going back for seconds...and thirds! 😭😂 3. Mojito Latin Soul Food My first time trying Cuban cuisine, and it's safe to say it suits the Chinese palate well! I initially wanted the grilled fish bowl, but they were out of fish that day (Thursday), leading to some good laughs about their fishing luck! 😂 Ended up with the shredded beef in tomato sauce in a half bowl, which was already plenty! Tender beef chunks with chopped olives and cooked black beans (savory, not bland), served with white rice and a fried plantain (slightly tangy). The signature mojito sauce (after all, it's in the name!) was a refreshing, slightly sour lemon sauce, far from the overpowering sourness of Thai sauces, more like a gentle lemon spritzer by the seaside. Absolutely.