Tapatio (pronounced “Tah-pah-tee-o”) signifies a person originating from Guadalajara, a city in the heart of Mexico.

If you’ve been to a Mad Mex recently, you’ll be familiar with the hot sauce they provide on every table. Forget that fire water/vinegar stuff. Get this. Tapatio is full of flavour and mild enough that even my husband likes it! It was introduced to me by my “I-eat-chile-with-every-meal” father. I take that as a sign of a good quality hot sauce.

Available at your local Mad Mex and I also saw some small bottles at Oasis Bakery a couple of weeks ago, though they don’t seem to have any in their online shop at this time.

There are of course other good commercial hot sauces available, some based on chipotle (dried, smoked jalapeños) or habanero, but those who value flavour over intolerable high heats should thoroughly enjoy this hot sauce.

Disclaimer: Not endorsed by Mad Mex, Tapatio nor do I have a vendetta against Tabasco.