An authentic Mexican restaurant in Fenwick Island, Delaware, Matteo’s Salsa Loco is a league above its competition because of the seafood and fresh fish it brings to the table every day. A variety of fresh fish dishes are available daily, while a California flair adds a unique component to Matteo’s seafood and traditional Mexican fusion recipes. Plus, all ingredients at Matteo’s are homemade from scratch. That makes all the difference.
    I visited Matteo’s for the first time this week, and I was delighted to see my friends Kelly Quinn (Mann Properties) and Stephanie Henson (Surf’s Up Café) enjoying a girls’ night out with the lovely Tracy Marie behind the bar. Jeff treated me to a warm welcome and introduced me to Matteo’s owner, Matt. All in all, the staff is exceptionally friendly and welcoming. Staying true to Matteo’s winning combination of fresh fish and Mexican cuisine, the fresh fish choices were Grouper, Swordfish, and Mako Shark, prepared either in a sizzling fajita or grilled with mango salsa and fresh vegetables.
    Matteo’s puts a whole new spin on Surf & Turf entrées. Its mouthwatering menu includes scrumptious options like Fresh Fish Fajitas and Seafood Enchiladas—two white corn tortillas stuffed with shrimp, scallops, chipotle cream, and melted cheddar and jack cheeses, and topped with sour cream. The Seafood Crab Cakes are an irresistible concoction of homemade lump crab with shrimp and scallops, served with ancho tarter and corn and black bean salsa. Also, try the Scallops Veracruz for a delectable blend of large sautéed sea scallops tossed with cilantro, garlic butter, white wine, tomatoes, and Mexican corn, or try the Shrimp Scampito for a delicious combination of large sautéed shrimp in cilantro, white wine, and garlic butter, served with Cuban rolls for dipping.
    The Surf & Turf Chimichanga is a best seller at Matteo’s. A beef chimi topped with jumbo lump crabmeat and finished with melted cheddar and jack cheeses, its popularity is well deserved. Matteo’s also serves up top-notch beef and poultry entrées, such as Carne Asada—char-grilled Black Angus bistro steak with warm tortillas, pico de gallo, sour cream, and guacamole fresco. Chicken Chipotle is marinated, grilled, and served with sun dried tomatoes and chipotle champagne sauce. All entrées are served with fresh vegetables and three-pepper cilantro rice.
    Matteo’s also presents traditional Mexican fare, such as Enchiladas, Quesadillas, Chimichangas, Carnitas, and Monde Burritos. A house specialty, Fajitas are served sizzling at your tableside. Fajita flavor choices include steak, chicken, steak and chicken, shrimp and scallops, fresh fish, and vegetable. Combo orders are also available, including groupings of chicken, ground beef, or shredded beef hard or soft tacos.
    I began my meal at Matteo’s with an order of Matteo’s Sampler. Taquitos, fiesta wings, jalapeño poppers, and mini beef quesadillas comprise the appetizer, which includes bleu cheese, pico de gallo, guacamole fresco, and Cajun sour cream for dipping. Tacquitos are flautas packed with seasoned shredded beef. So tasty! Dipped in bleu cheese, the fiesta wings are bursting with a sweet flavor similar to teriyaki style. I shared my appetizer with Kelly and Stephanie, and we devoured the spicy beef quesadillas, which I smothered in fresh guacamole. The jalapeño poppers are bursting with melted cheddar cheese.
    For the main course, I ordered one of the daily fish specials—grilled Grouper with mango salsa—and the Chicken Enchiladas. Two corn tortillas stuffed with chicken and smothered in Ranchero sauce and melted cheddar and jack cheeses, the Enchiladas are served with refried beans and three-pepper cilantro rice. Kelly helped me finish my plate. The grilled Grouper is evidence of Matteo’s commitment to bringing the freshest fish to its customers on a daily basis. Fresh, healthy, and delicious, the fish of the day is satisfying to the last bite.
    Other tempting appetizers at Matteo’s are Nachos Grande and Chiles Rellenos—beer battered, fried Ortega chiles stuffed with pepper jack cheese and served with pico de gallo and Cajun sour cream. Salsa, Guacamole Fresco, and Queso Dip are made fresh daily. House, Caesar, and Taco Salads are on the menu, along with Black Angus Steak Salad—tender slices of certified Black Angus flank steak served over crisp greens with Mexican cotija farm cheese, crunchy tortilla strips, local tomatoes, and cilantro lime vinaigrette. Soups include Baja Black Bean Soup and Roasted Corn & Chicken Tortilla Soup.
    For dessert, the girls and I shared a plate of Mexican Decadence—vanilla bean ice cream drizzled with “habanero infused honey” and served on a fried cinnamon tortilla. Fried Ice Cream, Apple Churros, and TequiLime Pie top off the desserts menu.
    Happy Hour at Matteo’s is practically all day long. From noon until 6:00 every day, enjoy discounted food and drink specials, including fish tacos. Matteo’s cantina offers live music, flat screen televisions, apparel, and the NFL ticket. Coming in September, enjoy $1 Tacos, $2.50 select imports, and $3.50 margaritas each Tuesday and Thursday. Fridays in autumn will bring $5 off Fajitas, and Saturdays will present discounted Rockfish Taco platters. During football games on Sunday and Monday, take advantage of $2 beer and $3.50 margaritas. Make sure that you try the top ranking margarita in the nation: “Tres-arita,” made with three top shelf tequilas. “It’s unbelievable,” says Matt.
    This week, catch local musician Johnny Mojo performing in the cantina at 7:00 on Saturday, August 20. On Sunday, August 21, the trio consisting of Johnny Mojo, Chris Button, and Joe Mama—Simple Truth—will showcase its talent at 9:00. On Wednesday, August 24, Chris Button will provide a solo show.
    You can find Matteo’s just past the Maryland/Delaware state line on the ocean side of Route 1. Ideally situated at the end of the Lighthouse Plaza shopping center, the restaurant offers nearby beach delivery from noon until 4:00 every day, complete with a loud horn and sombrero clad delivery person. Call 302-541-4911 to place your order. A kid’s menu and vegetarian recipes are available, as well as a lunch menu until 4:00 daily. Hot sauces and salsa are just as fresh to go. Stop into Matteo’s Salsa Loco today to sample its fresh fish and traditional Mexican fusion fare with a California flair.