Dos Besos earns its place at the Mexican table

09 Jun 2017 2071 | Cambodia Travel News

While punters may scratch their heads at yet another Mexican restaurant being added to the heady half dozen-or-so establishments scattered around Phnom Penh, Dos Besos earns its place thanks to the skills of Chef Eric Sjostrom.

Growing up in Tempe, just outside of Phoenix, Arizona, Sjostrom said his childhood was fused with authentic Mexican food, which he hopes to pass on to customers at Dos Besos, which opened up late last month in Tuol Tom Poung.

“We saw that there was still potential yet another player that offered a different flavouring,” he said last week.

Sjostrom prides himself on the authentic flavours and classic recipes of his dishes, using fresh ingredients as well as importing Mexican chilli and cheeses that make the dishes grounded and delicious.

“We try not to get too exotic nor do we want to get too rustic, so you’re not going to find soups with organ meats, we tend to stick with the classics” he said.

“Whereas other restaurants have their own personal take on things, we like the food as it was meant to be prepared.”

He hopes this, along with the large portions, will help set Dos Besos apart from other Mexican joints already in town and it looks like it’s beginning to pay off, according to Sjostrom.

“We’ve already had a great response, we’ve been packed out for lunch and dinner since we opened, we’ve started having repeat customers, and we’re even having the same customers come multiple times a day,” he said.

It’s not hard to see why after sampling both the chicken burrito and chimmy changa on separate occasions, with the chimmy changa coming with a large side serving of refried beans, rice and salad.

The chicken is chargrilled to perfection, despite the serving in the burrito being a tad lukewarm temperature wise, but for $6.50, it’s hard to complain.

Diners will find even less to grumble about thanks to the multiple flavours of frozen margaritas being offered on tap, which Sjostrom hopes will lure in customers, escaping from the heat of the day.