Ghost Pepper Taqueria Debuts With A Spicy Vibe

The chill speakeasy lounge, Ghost Pepper Taqueria and Tequila, is filled with red lights to set the mood for a laid-back night. And while the small restaurant only has 20 bar seats and 11 tables, their dishes are big on flavor.

Co-owner Katie Kuhn created her menu with a focus on bold margaritas and cocktails and themed tacos such as the Ghost Whisperer ($9), a spicy mixture of marinated chicken, ghost pepper dust, pineapple salsa and queso fresco. The much-celebrated spice comes from the home-grown ghost peppers that are oven-roasted, dried and blended down to an extreme seasoning.

The flavor is so intense that only a pinch is used, and the freshly made, chunky pineapple salsa brings a sweeter flavor that helps balance it out a bit. “I’m a big fan of having sweet, spicy, salty, citrus all in your mouth at once,” says Kuhn. “It really is the perfect marriage of a really good taco.” 1282 W. Bagley Road, Berea, ghostpeppercle.com