If you're a Dancing With the Stars fan, the term "salsa bar" may remind you of a naughty dream. A mysteriously dark Latin stranger takes you through a doorway of a dimly lit hallway and leads you down a dark corridor whose walls thump along with the rhythm of your beating heart.
As your eyes adjust, a room opens into a smoky dance floor painted in red, and your newly found lover presses you close to him, running his hands up and down your sides as he seductively swings your bodies to the music until you are both drenched in sexy beads of sweat.
Or...
If you are a little piggie like me, the term "salsa bar" is nothing other than a giant spread of fresh picos and dips that rest below a giant sign that reads "All You Can Eat" and are offered to you for free at your favorite Mexican dive.
This photo of Flaming Amy's Burrito Barn is courtesy of TripAdvisor
When I was in college, there was one restaurant in particular that stood out amongst the rest. It was (and still is) the opposite of High Falutin, a burrito barn stuffed with students and families, serving foods that are "hot, fast, cheap, and easy" and offering an array of salsas that absolutely can't be beat.
Flaming Amy's Burrito Barn in Wilmington, NC is by far the best southwest/Mexican/Tex-Mex/whatever you want to call it restaurant I have ever been to. Not only is their food just plain fantastic, but their menu is overloaded with countless combinations of delicious and clever meals.
Every time I go back to Wilmington to hang out with the best roommate of all time, we must GO TO FLAMING AMY'S. There is no question about it. We are going. Period.
Sometimes, we even go twice!
My usual order is a freshly grilled tuna quesadilla stuffed with pineapple, roasted red peppers, and corn served alongside black beans and rice. From there, I usually get at least 3-4 little cups of different salsas, but my all-time favorite (clearly) is their pineapple jalapeno salsa.
I have tested and toyed around with so many variations of this recipe, and today's version is the best. No, it doesn't have fresh pineapple in it. No, I don't feel bad about it.
I've tried making this with fresh pineapple, but it just doesn't work. The consistency is wrong, the taste is wrong, and it is just wrong.wrong.wrong.
Trust me on this one!!!
Pineapple Jalapeno Salsa
Ingredients
- 1 large can pineapple chunks drained (20 oz)
- ¼ large sweet onion
- 6-10 pickled jalapeno rings depending on desired heat level
- 1 ½ teaspoon ground cumin
- ½ teaspoon salt
- 1 handful fresh cilantro chopped
Instructions
- Blend first four ingredients in a food processor until smooth.
- Stir in cilantro.
- Enjoy!
Anna @ The Guiltless Life says
Ooh I love the idea of salsa made up primarily of pineapple! You are so creative in the kitchen, Amber 🙂 x
amber says
Awww! Thank you, Anna! BUT I can't really take credit for this one since it's a copycat recipe of my favorite restuarant's, but it's still delicious!
Steve says
The ginger peach salsa recipe?
Kris Mckain says
This is great, but I need the Wasabi Avocado!!!
Christopher parker says
Hey Amber. I'm from Wilmington and also I'm obsessed with FA,so. Your recipe is spot on. Now if we could figure out that amazing peach salsa....
Amber says
Riiiiiiiiight!!!! That’s my second fav! So, so, so good!!!
The Mrs @ Success Along the Weigh says
There's nothing I love more than pineapple salsa! Yum!
amber says
Me too!!!Try this one, and I PROMISE you won't be disappointed!!! Also, thanks for stopping by! 🙂
Jocelyn @ Peace Love Nutrition says
I love salsa! I often use it instead of dressing on top of my salads
amber says
Hey! Thanks for stopping by and checking out my blog! I really appreciate it1 That's exactly what the hubs and did! We poured it over a spinach salad. It was simply delicious!!!
Beth says
Aaaaahhhhhhhh I love flaming Amy's too!!!!! I always try to bribe some of my friends to bring me some when they come visit from Wilmington!
amber says
Isn't it the *BEST* burrito barn on the planet?!? I do love it so! <3
Connie Summerford says
Thanks so much for posting this. I am going try it out. I love love the pineapple jalapeno salsa at Flamin Amy's. And your right the food it good and cheap but the salsa will have you hooked!!
amber says
Yaaaay! Let me know if it passes your test!
Allie says
any ideas how to make the big jerk burrito
Amber says
I don't know how to make it. It wasn't on the menu when I frequented, I don't think. Sounds yummy though!
Shelly says
I've made this so many times since I found the recipe!! LOVE it!! use it on fish tacos, chicken tacos and just about anything else!!
amber says
Yay! You just made my day! Thanks so much 🙂 We also eat it on all the things 😉
Melynda says
I feel like I wrote this article. It's almost embarrassing how many cups of this salsa I eat when I'm at Flaming Amy's. On my last visit down, I left out of the restaurant with like 10 of the to go cups of this delicious, sinful salsa. I cannot wait to recreate my favorite salsa from my favorite college restaurant ever. Thank you.
amber says
Let me know if it meets your expectations, Melynda!
Gary Eiter says
is there a way that I could receive your recipes regularly in an email?
Amber says
Hi, Gary! You can do one of two things: Subscribe via email via the sign up form which is in the purple box on my side bar, or you can follow this link and sign up via email too. Thanks so much! http://eepurl.com/5NjI5
Misty says
My best friend went to NCUW and this was his FAVORITE place ever! I made this salsa for him this weekend and he LOVED IT!!!
Amber says
Yaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaay!!! This makes me so happy, you have no idea! Thank you so much for commenting! <3
Marion says
Let me know if u come up with their hot salsa and queso recipe please. I miss that I move back to New York. Thanks good luck
Jackie says
You are my new favorite person! Thinking of the pineapple jalapeno salsa at FAB makes my mouth water. Came on line looking to see if I could buy it. So thrilled to see I can just make it myself. Thanks so much.
Sydney A says
Awesome recipe!! This is my favorite salsa! Can you find Tower 7's regular salsa or their carne asada recipe too? I've looked but came up short!
Judy says
Having it with a shrimp burrito right now at Flaming Amy’s place at Carolina Beach - thanks for the recipe
Amber says
That’s awesome! I didn’t realize they had one on Carolina Beach now. I’m jealous!
Jay says
Close. No cumin. Red onions. A bit of fresh jalapeños with the pickled. A little lemon and lime juice. Salt n pepper. ~ Mr. Amy (I created the real stuff)
Amber says
How cool! Thanks for stopping by! Loooooooooooove everything about your restaurant!
Mary Stazz says
Do you have Flaming Amy’s Ginger & Peach Salsa recipe?
Amber says
I haven't quite figured it out yet, but I'm working on it!
ashok says
Thanks For Sharing this amazing recipe. My family loved it. I will be sharing this recipe with my friends. Hope the will like it.
Amber says
I’m so happy you loved it!
Amber says
My husband loves this salsa! We moved away from Wilmington six years ago. Every time we go back we grab some of their packaged pineapple salsa, but it is not the same. I think they added a gum or tapioca to thicken it. This fresh recipe is exactly what we were looking for!!!
Jennifer S. says
Any way this could be canned?
Amber says
I know they jar their own so surely there is a way, but I’ve never tried it.
Kim says
This is AWESOME! I, too, went the UNCW and have not heen able to get that salsa out of my mind, THANK YOU for the post and recipe!!!
Amber says
You’re so welcome!!! Let me know how you like it!