Utah Local Love: Black Sheep Cafe in Provo

Provonians, if you haven't noticed our local restaurant scene is really growing. And it makes me extremely happy. I feel like I can't keep up with trying all the new places and that's a great problem to have. The newest-to-the-scene-to-me is Black Sheep Cafe on University Avenue near center street in Provo. Black Sheep Cafe serves flavorful dishes influenced by southwestern Native American cuisine. Isn't that cool? I honestly haven't been to a Native American restaurant, period.

The first thing that comes to mind, at least for me, is Navajo tacos. And oh boy do I love them. One of my favorite roommates in college (she was a sweetheart) grew up on the Reservation in New Mexico. One Sunday, her brothers invited us over for Navajo Tacos, you better believe I dropped everything I had to come to that dinner. They were delicious and sadly enough, I don't think I've had Navajo tacos since. Well until last night.

Let me tell you folks, Black Sheep Cafe's Navajo tacos are stunning. Can I say stunning? They were so much more than greasy-frybread topped with lack-luster store-bought salad and beans like I had as a teenager on a road trip passing through New Mexico to Texas.

Black Sheep's Navajo tacos were clearly homemade, from scratch. And the Navajo frybread was not greasy at all. It was soft with the perfect chew. I couldn't decide between the three variations on their menu, so I got the trio. Best option for a first-timer they told me. The threesome came with a traditional Navajo taco with some of the best pinto beans I've ever had and all the fixins', a tender Green Chili Pork and last but not least, a Red Chili Pork Navajo taco with aged cotija and black olives, that I believe tied everything together. Their sauces tend to be mild so I asked them to kick up the red chili a notch and was glad I did so. Next time I think I'm even going to ask for hot.

But guess what, Navajo tacos are just the surface of what Black Sheep Cafe offers on their menu. Try them, yes. But venture out, friends. The beauty of the Black Sheep menu is that it offers a contemporary twist on traditional Native American cuisine, including soups (I am dying to try the Posole), burgers, salads, creative appetizers and yummy sides like roadside New Mexican corn that I loved. (Check out the new Square Native blog for Jill's review and some lovely food photos. I think I need to start calling my Utah Local Love posts Instagram food reviews or something...you know, since I rarely bring my DSLR around these days.)

Next time you're looking for a new restaurant in Utah County to try, head to the Black Sheep Cafe in Provo. It was deliciously unique and perfectly executed food, all enjoyed in lovely location. It will quickly become a great addition to your restaurant rotation.


The Black Sheep Cafe
19 N University Avenue in Provo, Utah

Blog: http://blacksheepcafe.blogspot.com/
Twitter: @provoblacksheep
Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/blacksheepcafehttp://www.facebook.com/blacksheepcafe

Hours:
Tuesday-Thursday 11:00 am – 9:00 pm
Friday-Saturday 11:00 am – 10:00 pm