Mole is the Mexican national dish for holidays and feasts. But how and when was mole first created? Among the common folklore of its creation includes a tale from the early colonial period. According to the legend, upon hearing that the archbishop was going to visit the Convent of Santa Rosa in Puebla, the nuns were in a panic because they were poor and had nothing to prepare. They prayed about the situation and brought together the little bits of what they had to make a sauce. This included peppers, spices, day-old bread, nuts, and a little chocolate. They served the sauce on top of some turkey and the Archbishop loved it!
Red Iguana is famous for our moles (pronounced moh-lays) and we have at least 8 different types that are available regularly — Mole Negro, Amarillo, Poblano, Verde, Coloradito, Red Pipian, Mango, and Almendras. If you’d like to sample each mole currently available, ask your waiter for a mole sampler (seen below).
During his visit to the Red Iguana, Diner’s, Drive-ins, and Dives host, Guy Fieri exclaimed, “Holy Moley!” while helping owner Lucy Cardenas add ingredients to a giant vat of mole.
September 2024 Specials at Red Iguana
Daily/Seasonal SpecialsAt Red Iguana, there’s always something new and festive! This month, we have 3 seasonal specials for you to try: If you’ve never heard of the Cantarito cocktail and you’re wondering why, there’s a simple answer. It’s a regional drink in Mexico. It’s not easily found in bars and restaurants in large cities like Guadalajara […]
Red Iguana Owner Lucy Cardenas Receives 2023 Pathfinder Award
Red Iguana in the NewsToday, Red Iguana owner Lucy Cardenas, was honored with Salt Lake Chamber of Commerce’s prestigious 2023 Pathfinder Award. The Pathfinder Award is presented annually to community leaders who create new paths promoting the development and recognition of women in business. When asked what advice she would offer to women to help them succeed, Lucy recommended, […]
Mexican Mainstay: Nearly 40 Years of Killer Mexican Food at Red Iguana
Red Iguana in the NewsUtah Stories: For over four decades, Red Iguana has been serving killer Mexican food. From the humble beginnings at our 18-seat original location, Red Iguana is still family-owned, serving an array of Mexican dishes, ranging from Oaxacan-style moles to Carnitas a la Michoacán, and is nationally recognized as one of Utah’s best restaurants. Read the […]
Yelp Names Red Iguana #35 Out of the Top 100 Best Restaurants in the Country
Awards/AccoladesWe’re excited to announce that Red Iguana has been ranked by Yelp as #35 out of the top 100 best restaurants in the nation! The announcement was made with the release of Yelp’s 9th annual “Top 100 US Restaurants” report. No other Utah dining destinations made the top 100. You can read the entire article […]