Greeley’s La Changada’s clamatos preparados are the perfect answer to the Dog Days of Summer

La Changada in Greeley offers dine-in or take-out options. If you choose dine-in, there’s plenty of air-conditioning. Photo by Emily Kemme.

By Emily Kemme

We’re in the Dog Days of Summer, or so I’ve been told at least three times this week. The statement is basically a summer-y way of saying, “Hi there,” without adding an exclamation point, because it’s just too damned hot to get excited about much of anything.

The Dog Days run from July 3 to August 11 this year, according to The Old Farmer’s Almanac, and historically have nothing to do with tortuous heat levels that drive both dogs and humans to search for anything with ice cubes.

Note: my dogs are happy enough with just the cubes, but as a human, I prefer to add liquid.

The science of astronomy is the real reason for why we refer to sweltering hot days as “dog days.” The ancient Greeks and Romans marked the seasons according to the constellations. Sirius, the Dog Star, is the brightest star in the sky other than the sun. It can be seen in the constellation Canis Majoris, which means “big dog” in Latin. Sirius is best seen at dawn — when it’s a lot cooler outside — typically during the months of July and August in the Northern Hemisphere.

But whether your dogs spend their days lying motionless in the grass or — as mine do — laying claim to every air vent in the house — we can agree it’s hot as Hades right now.

The solution is to head over to La Changada, 2001 9th Street, Greeley and  place an order for clamatos preparados with a double order of camarones (plump, poached and chilled shrimp) and a tall mineral preparada.

Refreshing and unique, a clamato preparado starts with Clamato juice, a tomato juice product blended with sugar, clam broth and MSG. You’ve probably encountered the liquid in a Coctel Camarones, the Mexican version of shrimp cocktail. 

Refreshing and filling, clamato preparados (chilled, plump shrimp in Clamato juice with spices and lime) and mineral preparada (sparkling mineral water spiked with lime juice and Tajín seasoning) are more than enough to cool you off on a hot summer day. Photo by Emily Kemme.

Next, salt, freshly squeezed lime juice, salsa and a sprinkle of Tajín seasoning are mixed in. You can find Tajín in the produce section of most grocery stores and at Mexican markets. The seasoning combines chile powder, dried lime and salt and sometimes rims the edges of margarita glasses to give the tequila cocktail a hint of spice while you sip it.

Clamato preparados can be personalized: in addition to the shrimp, you can add crunchy diced jicama and cucumbers for mild bursts of vegetal flavor and texture. Say yes to those, and also when they ask if you’d like a handful of cacahuate Japones tossed in — they’re Japanese style peanuts coated in a crunchy, soy-flavored shell that retain their crunch even after being immersed in liquid.

Finally, you’ll have the option to add sticks of dried beef (carne seca) — it’s basically beef jerky with a choice of original, habañero, chile de arbol or mango habañero flavors — which makes the meal a bit more filling. The carne seca is added to the cup spikes up; pluck them out and eat them with your fingers.

If you’re thinking this is a high sodium meal, you’re right, but since it’s hot outside, rationalize it by understanding you’re replacing all that sweat.

The menu at La Changada, Greeley, is in Spanish but the counter servers speak fluent English. Photo by Emily Kemme.

Wash it all down with an immensely satisfying mineral preparada — sparkling mineral water mixed with salt, more Tajín and a hefty shot of fresh lime juice. Other traditional Mexican drink options include agua fresca flavored with horchata (sweet rice and cinnamon), jamaica (hibiscus flowers) or tamarindo (tart and sweet made with tamarind pods).

You can also order a tall, cool glass of water, but why stop the sensory experience at this point?

After your order is prepared fresh for you, sit down in La Changada’s cheery, tomato soup-red cafe, let the air-conditioning do its magic, and dig in to one of the most exotic treats out there.

To Go to La Changada

Hours: 10 a.m. - 8 p.m. daily

Where: 2001 9th Street, Greeley, CO 80631

Contact: 970-702-2514 | https://www.facebook.com/changadagreeley

What they offer: Clamato preparados (shrimp cocktail in Clamato juice with added spices and diced vegetables) | Mineral preparada (mineral water with spices and lime juice) | Papitas (french fries topped with shrimp or dried beef) | Chango LOKOS (sliced fruit with sweet and spicy toppings) | Agua fresca | Dine-in or take-out | Off-street parking