Nestled within the forest of Crombie Country Park, a vibrant burst of colour catches your eye.
Itās not just the changing leaves – itās Zacatecas, a food truck serving up authentic Mexican quesadillas with a unique Scottish twist.
The brainchild of David Lowe and his wife Hazel, Zacatecas has been adding a dash of spice to the Angus countryside since this summer.
Born and raised in Mexico City, Davidās love for Mexican cuisine was ingrained from an early age.
āMy great-grandfather went to Mexico for work with a factory that made jute bags for rice and beans,ā David explains as he works at the grill.
āHis son, my grandfather, went to join him, and my father was born there. I was too, and lived in Mexico City until 1980. But our family is from Arbroath, so I came back when I was 18.ā
After working in catering for over 40 years, including stints as head chef at Glamis Castle and Panmure Golf Club, David wanted something different as he neared retirement.
āQuesadillas are perfect for a food truck because you can prep everything in advance and then pull it all together when serving.ā
And these quesadillas come with a distinctly Scottish flavour, incorporating local ingredients like haggis and slow-cooked Angus beef. āYou can basically put anything in a quesadilla,ā David says.
How were Zacatecas’s quesadillas?
On the day I visited Crombie Park, I opted for the sweet potato and refried beans quesadilla, a vegetarian option that didnāt disappoint. The quesadilla was soft and light, and the filling was hearty, and cosy with just the right amount of spicy heat.
And, of course, there was plenty of oozing melted cheese, because whatās a quesadilla without cheese?
At Ā£6.95, I felt the quesadilla was well worth it, I was totally full up (obviously, I always have room for pudding) and the filling tasted so fresh, expertly grilled with perfect flavouring.
āWe try to keep the spice level manageable for everyone,ā says David.
For those with dietary restrictions, Zacatecas has you covered.
They offer gluten-free quesadillas made with a specially prepared mix, ensuring that everyone can enjoy the flavours on offer.
From chicken and mango salsa to steak, thereās something for everyone, even the most discerning eater.
Even kids arenāt left out. My daughter happily devoured a simple ham and cheese quesadilla, treating it like a fun twist on her favourite toastie.
That was part of a kids’ combo which also included a Fruit Shoot for a very reasonable Ā£4. And for dessert? Cake, of course.
āThe cakes are all homemade,ā says Hazel, whose baking has quickly become a local favourite.
āWe always have our tres leches cake. Itās soaked with evaporated milk, condensed milk, and double cream, then topped with cinnamon.
“When we first started, weād take leftovers home, but now we sell out!ā
Oh, but the cakes…
And itās easy to see why itās so popular.
The sponge was unbelievably moist without being heavy, and the hint of cinnamon elevated the whole experience. Itās the perfect treat after a long walk around the park.
Their menu includes homemade gluten-free brownies, Oreo cookies, school cake with caramel icing, orange and chilli shortbread, and a chocolate orange tiffin.
The cakes cost between Ā£1.95 and Ā£2.50 for the tres leches and they have deals for coffee and cake from Ā£3.50 to Ā£4.
Many places charge a lot more for cakes, so at Zacatecas you’re definitely not overcharged. And the coffee was lovely too!
The menu at Crombie Country Park changes with the seasons. āAs winter comes in, weāre thinking of doing stovies with chillies,ā David says.
āWe also have a breakfast quesadilla with sausage, egg, bacon, cheese, and a touch of sweet chilli – itās been a hit for those out on an early walk or particularly if they’re recovering from a hangover!ā adds Hazel.
While Zacatecas, which is named after a northern state and city in Mexico, currently operates on weekends, from 10am to 4pm, the couple hope to expand their hours next summer.
āWeāre planning to open more days, and by then, this will be all David does,ā Hazel explains.
Itās clear that Zacatecas is all about convenience without sacrificing flavour. āPeople come here to walk, so we keep everything practical and easy to eat on the go,ā she adds.
āThere was a trend of putting cheesecake in a quesadilla, but that just got messy so we didnāt do it!ā
But what about Crombie Park’s canine customers?
Even the dogs donāt miss out at Zacatecas. Homemade dog biscuits are available, with plans to offer bags of smaller ones in time for Christmas.
With their Scottish-Mexican fusion, this colourful food truck proves that sometimes the most unexpected combinations turn out to be the best.
Trust me, youāll be back for more.
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