Chata Cámara Delicatessen

If gourmet cooking and specialty foods interest you, drop in to see what's cooking at Chata Cámara. Opened in February 2009, this is a beautiful delicatessen with dozens of imported treats on the shelves. And your mouth will surely water when you contemplate their delicious, home-made appetizers and desserts.

Chata Cámara is a name which is familiar to many Meridanos. This well-known chef started her catering services in 1958. Although she passed away a few years ago, her daughter Gabriela and grandson David have taken up her recipes and added some specialty items not generally available in stores. But...it only looks expensive! The prices are about the same as Walmart.

The main focus at this cozy deli is the home-made food. Next time you are entertaining for one or a multitude (they can cater up to 1500 people), try the turkey or tuna patés, crab meat stuffed crepes in a gruyere cheese sauce, stuffed pastries (the pastry balls stuffed with gruyere cheese are heavenly),Yucatecan sandwichón (stacked layers of bread, paté and cheese, something like a lasagne), canapés of cheese, asparagus, or shrimp, and then...get ready for the house specialty: the whisky cake. Gabriela is the chef and she also prepares excellent Indian curries...if you don't see it, just ask. All catering services include everything from tables to plates, glasses, and cutlery, as well as the food, beverages and service, if desired.

Chata Cámara was always synonymous with fine cooking... she was THE caterer in her day. At any wedding or event, when it was mentioned that the food was by Doña Chata, happy murmurs would go through the guests as it was a guarantee everything was going to be delicious and cooked with finer ingredients. She didn't, and Gabriela doesn't, cook with cheaper ingredients.

On the shelves, the imported foods will make your head spin....escargot; paté fois gras; olive oils flavored with pistachio, lemon, basil, rosemary, four peppers, black olives, or truffles; lobster bisque; olives; sardines; flavored balsamic vinegars including truffles; chocolates; Thai curries and peanut sauce; Japanese tempura, sushi, plum sauce, and water chestnuts; jams and jellies; roasted red peppers and lentils; and coffees...just to name a few items! New products are arriving every day and requests are welcome.

Imported cheeses and prosciuttos are available in the display case. Prosciuttos range from the more accessibly priced brands, right to the most exclusive Cinco Jotas from Spain. And of course it is sliced by hand as required. The cheese selection is not huge yet, but they change frequently...and they will take special requests.

Specialty wines and beers will also be available when the liquor sale license is approved. Until then, there is plenty of variety, and the atmosphere, with soft jazz music, is perfect for shopping or sitting at a sidewalk table for a taste of heaven.

Chata Camara Delicatessen
Calle 49 No. 485 in Plaza Hacienda Montealban,
Col. San Antonio Cucul, between El Pocito and Boxito Kalia.
Tel. 286 3240.
Email contacto@chatacamara.com 
Website: www.chatacamara.com