(For Marcel Proust, the evocative taste of a madeline inspired seven volumes of childhood reminiscence. When in San Diego, Manual Scan/Lemons Are Yellow vet Paul Kaufman employs a different memory aid — this one wrapped in a tortilla.)
Now that I live 2,000 light years from home, I often crave the foods of San Diego. Certainly, the most distinctive cuisine of Southern California came across the border from Mexico. And it wasn’t until I moved to the SF Bay area in late ’82 that I realized that a few items in the Mexican food of my youth were not replicated 500 miles to the north.
For me, the chief example is the burrito. In San Diego, burritos had lively and very strong individual personalities: carne asada meant grilled steak, with some guacamole and onion, and that’s it. There was no confusing it with a burrito based on a chicken stew or machaca.
So I was quite surprised to find that burritos in NoCal were all filled with rice. Now, I like rice. A lot. But I always felt that the individual strengths of the perfectly combined ingredients on display at our favorite 3am taco shops was diluted by the ubiquitous rice filling. Rice on the side, please!
So, whenever I get back to SD, I make sure to have several local burritos. (I think the fabulous spicy carrots have already been discussed.) What taste sensations let you know you’re in San Diego?
–Paul Kaufman
I was absolutely intrigued by the presence of “mexi-fries” on a menu in rural Utah somewhere in the late eighties, only to find shortly thereafter that it translated roughly to “tater-tot”. Don’t look too hard for decent california/mexican cuisine east of Las Vegas or North of L.A. county line. And for god’s sake don’t expect it in Hawaii (though if you’re in town I manage a pretty decent imitation in a pinch- after years of research and failed attempts.)
Putting beans and rice in a burrito is like putting fries inside a burger! It just isn’t right. The exception is a bean and cheese burrito, the low budget vegetarian’s staple food in San Diego, but refried beans only please, no soupy whole beans that make your burrito all soggy.
There are some big differences between San Diego/LA taco shop (called taquerias up here) and Northern California taco shop food.
1. The tortillas are usually steamed in N. Cal while they are heated on the grill in SD, where they get a nice browned, blistered texture instead of a soggy texture.
2. The meats are chopped up much finer in N. Cal. In SD the carne asada and carnitas are usually served in larger pieces that maintain their juiciness better in my opinion. I think they chop them to little bits to disguise the low quality of meat.
3. In SD the burritos are simpler, smaller, and cheaper. Usually they are just meat, salsa, and guacamole, but some variations add other ingredients such as cheese and, in the California burrito, potatoes. I think in N. California taquerias the burritos are filled mostly with rice and beans because that costs much less than meat, so the shop makes more money while we get charged more for filler.
Because I’ve been disappointed too many times ordering burritos in N. Cal I usually get tacos when eating near home with meats such as al pastor or chile verde, which are often much better than the finely chopped tough meat called carne asada or carnitas here. And I wait to visit San Diego or LA to get my burrito fix!
I really miss roll tacos! And good fish tacos. We have Rubio’s here now but I find Wahoo’s and the place called Best Fish Taco in Ensenada (in Silverlake) to be better.
If you drive about an hour east of San Francisco there is an Adalberto’s taco shop in Fairfield (and also in Stockton).
When I arrived in Hamburg in early ’87, two culinary innovations I brought to the youngsters there were Mexican food and sushi. (At the time, I believe there was one Mexican restaurant and two sushi places, all of them incredibly expensive.)
Hard as it is to imagine in this day and age, the only place I could find corn tortillas or tequila was the Mexican consulate. And I located an Asian market and learned to make sushi from scratch.
That summer, I also ate at Poland’s only Chinese restaurant … gack! It had been set up in a cultural exchange with Beijing and had two items on the menu: lamb and chicken, both in the same gelatinous gray sauce. Then they ran out of lamb.
Do you remember the lobster restaurants in Puerto Nuevo, Baja?
I live in North Park and I just discovered potato rolled tacos at a taco shop around the corner from my house! I have at least six mexican eateries within walking distance --
and now a block away a Oaxacan restaurant specializing in dishes with cactus, mole, — goat? A vegetarian, I’ll skip the last one. Mole is one of my great life discoveries.
It’s on Illinois and University called El Comal if yer ever in the area. Sweet people.
It’s true about the differences. I remember Chabella’s on Haight Street -- with burritos the size of a small child -- I thought it was strange that the beans and rice were “inside” but now a lot of places do that.
I lived in Portland in the 90’s and their mexican food is more in the Tex-Mex style. And it’s few and far…
Kristen: I thought Chabella’s in SF was the Mexican place on Fulton Street, across from the supermarket, right around the corner from Central House … There are things even I won’t eat twice, and the things they did with potatoes, flour tortillas and some sort of meat gravy sent me screaming into the night.
Chabellas was next to the Nightbreak on Upper Haight -- that was in the 80’s so I’m sure it has changed. I ate there because one burrito could last me a few days! I didn’t eat much in the 80’s.
Yeah — Chabella’s … Kind of a goulash burrito … Very strange.
Back in SD, I prized Alberto’s and La Posta’s chorizo tortas for a similar appetite-suppressant effect. Highly spiced pig face = steep satiation curve!
A new popular item in So Cal taco shops that I don’t remember in the 80s is carne asada fries. Yum!
Do we want to get into detail, such as which shop had the best carne asada, which had the best carnitas? This could go on and on. I used to remember better, but now when I arrive in SD I make a beeline out Washington Street to Los Panchos for a carne asada burrito and roll tacos.
I visit LA quite frequently and always get Mexican food when in town. I especially like Benito’s for burritos, Tito’s in Culver City for tacos, and El Chavo for proximity to the Tiki Ti bar.
I am a total food snob (and drink snob) so don’t get me started! I actually consider myself a food connoisseur, not a snob. There’s a difference! A snob likes what is expensive or exclusive, a connoisseur likes what is good!
My favorite taco shop is no more: Los 7 Burritos on Garnet Ave. Somehow they elevated the simple chicken taco (moist, boiled chicken, some shredded lettuce and shredded jack on a crispy corn shell) into a 3am piece of culinary heaven.
Rice in a burrito? A hippy meal compared to this. It’s not SoCal Mexican food, but I cannot let a discussion about good Mexican food pass without mentioning the spread that covers the entire inside gatefold (with no text) of ZZ Top’s third LP, Tres Hombres.:
http://www.aintnosurfintexas.com/zz%20top%20tres%20hombres%20mexican%20feast3%20copy.jpg
Im glad to hear I wasnt the only one who was put off by the rice in burritos in San Francisco when I was there in the 80s. Here in L.A. you see the burritos both ways, but a co-worker from San Diego was recently going off on a tirade against rice in burritos in L.A. …how you’d NEVER see that in San Diego. I remember Chabella’s… last time I was in SF it was gone but the old sign was still there…it was right near the Trophy Room.
Dean, I dont agree with you on Tito’s in Culver City. I didnt like their food… but any time of night or day there’s a huge line there, so maybe im missing something. That place does a LOT of business.
Tom… what a cool spread …a great meal and a great format for music packaging.
Regarding Tito’s in Culver City: this certainly isn’t the best taco in town compared to places that offer many truly Mexican choices of fillings and salsas, but it gets extra points in my book for nostalgia. If you’re like me and you came out of the San Diego City Schools, you’ll fondly remember that every Wednesday of our childhoods, from kindergarten through 12th grade, was the much anticipated Taco Day. Tito’s channels that old skool, semi-Americanized taco: ground beef, lettuce and cheese, mild but very fresh tomato salsa on a hard corn shell. Takes me back to 3rd grade every time 🙂
being stuck as i am now in the permian basin, a long way from home the food i miss most of all would be one that i connect with the old neighborhood of linda vista, pho, french sandwiches, goi cuon and any type of broken rice dish, all served up fresh and delicious from the fantastic Le’s on Linda Vista, i miss them so much.
I love Tito’s for what it is -- non authentic Cal-Mex fast food! The tacos are fried to order with shredded beef (not ground beef!), shredded iceburg lettuce, and optional shredded cheese. All for $1.50. It’s not like traditional tacos of corn tortillas, meat, and salsa, but I still love it as much as I love a good traditional taco. Sure the salsa is mild, but it’s tasty. It’s like what Taco Bell should taste like.
I can’t think of any other San Diego food besides Mexican that we don’t have the equivalent (or better) in the Bay area. This place has great Asian food choices but I think LA has more variety. Some food types in LA are better than the Bay Area: Jewish delis and sushi restaurants come to mind.
I still cannot find great New York style pizza or Chicago hot dogs in California.
I haven’t found anything in the Bay Area that compares to Mama’s Bakery and Deli (Lebanese food) on Alabama St. in San Diego…..sigh….
http://mamasbakery.net/
The Manakeesh’s are absolutely outta this world…beeline to that place every time I’m in SD!! I’ve tried to find the equivalent in and around SF, so far nothing comes close..
Dean- I stand corrected on the shred at Tito’s. I’ve clearly been away too long….
You should check out Gioia’s Pizza in Berkeley. And Arinell’s (for the Neapolitan). I think they both do a great NY pizza. As for Chicago dogs, I’m afraid you’ll have book your next set of flights either through O’Hare or Midway and go to Gold Coast…
Dave- I agree, Mama’s is great. They make a wonderful “fool” (fava bean stew).
The best take-out Mexican food in L.A. is the regional chain Poquito Mas… I dont know how many there are… just a few, I think. Baja Buds (another L.A. chain) is also really good. Loteria at the Fairfax Farmers Market has great regional food, including mole. Mostly though, the mom and pop taco shops are kinda hit and miss.
If you want Mexican food around Culver City, by far the best place to go is Paco’s on Centinella (sit down restaurant…not actually in Culver City)…best margaritas I’ve ever had, home made tortillas…plus tropical fish tanks, weird junk hanging from the ceilings and walls, and a menu design that hasnt changed since the 40s or 50s.
San Diego for the most part has lame strip mall style TGI Fridays fare. People don’t like to experiment down here like in other more metropolitan cities. SF has superior Asian -- chinese, sushi, thai -- I have fond memories of Phuket Thai (which I pronounce wrong on purpose).
Portland has the best and most eclectic choices by far. More on the family owned, home cooked side as opposed to the hoity toity quality of the Bay Area. also has a large Asian population -- delicious Vietnamese food -- mmmmm pho -- they also widely cater to vegetarians and people with kids. and not a lame money pit like Chuckie puke pizza -- I went to a veggie restaurant in SE Hawthorne that had a playhouse inside and a book garden. 🙂
Dave Ellison: RE Culver City. Have you been to the Museum of Jurassic Technology? it’s one of my favorite places EVER.
Dave Flem, can I get a witness on Mama’s? I live very close and it’s on the rounds for great eats in SD.
If I can sway out of towners to El Zarape on Park Blvd, almost at the end towards Adams. The scallop tacos, potato rolled tacos and other items are well done and go down well with a Modelo Negra.
Taco Tony
Kristen… wow, you’ve actually been in there? I didnt know it was even a real museum or open to the public. Ive always been intrigued by it, but it always looks closed when I drive past. What’s inside?
OK, mental note on Mama’s, El Zarape, Paco’s in Culver City and the other Mexican places in LA (thanks Dave, Dave, Tony).
Paul, thanks for the pizza suggestions. I have tried Arinell’s but not Gioia’s. I think here they call everything with a thin crust New York pizza. But you can’t compare Arinell’s to the real thing. I was just in NY for Cavestomp last year and we had pizza every night around 3 or 4 AM. I just couldn’t stop! The crust is thin but the dough seems different (perhaps that’s why NY bagels rule, the dough) and there is lots of great tasting sauce (they are not dry like here). I’ve heard that it’s the water. Maybe so. A famous NY pizzeria opened a branch last year in Santa Monica and I heard it’s good but it’s still not the same. We just scratched the surface in NY. I’m sure there are even better slices than what we had.
I love Chicago, and the hot dogs, Italian beef (Al’s), deep dish pizza, German food (Berghoff RIP), and steakhouses (Gene and Georgetti). Gold Coast dogs is good and convenient (in the airport), but I also love Superdawg for the time warp feel of the stand, and Weiner’s Circle for their char dogs.
Dave Ellison: Did you try and go inside? Don’t be fooled by a closed down look. Its got a Diagon Alley type front to it. Lots of magic inside. Do you like the Quay Brothers? Micromosaics and microminiatures -- the smallest sculpture in the world is here.
http://www.mjt.org/
“…guided along as it were
a chain of flowers into
the mysteries of life.”
I haven’t been up there in five years. You reminded me that it’s time to make a day trip. And Paco’s sounds like the place for lunch.
I’m sure it was already discussed, but one of five gastronomical wonders of the world was the famous Oki-Dog. Nothing is better for breakfast after a show in LA. A tortilla with hot dogs and pastrami. wow. and don’t forget Pup n’ Taco by the Music Machine.
Kristen: Phuket Thai — Hahaha! Nancy and I used to pronounce that wrong on purpose as well … I wanted to do a gastronomy tour of Phuket Thai and Fuku Sushi, which was in Japan Center.
SF’s Thai fare is hard to match in NJ, although we’ve found one awesome, economical spot in Bloomfield (an unlikely locale, take it from me).
Overall, I’m very impressed with how varied the fare has become across SD County. I remember back in ’85 when champion-Thai-kickboxer-turned-gonzo-Encinitas-Pannikin dishwasher Watana Pongrakthai confided his ambition to open a Thai restaurant in North County … I thought it was the edgiest, smartest idea! Thai food in Encinitas? Wow.
Matthew: is that the Thai restaurant Spices next to the La Paloma? it is YUMMY. my hubby and I have roped that into our datenight. hahaha. Phuket, let’s have Thai! What do you want? I don’t know. I Pho Ga! hahaha….
If any of you ever make it to the Big Island of Hawaii let me know. We have the absolute best Thai and Japanese restaurants, hands down.
Whatever you do, don’t order Mexican in Hawaii- huge weak spot for the fiftieth state.
Oki-dog for sure! What a scene in front of the place at night! Is it still around? I remember also going to 24-hour coffee shops after shows in LA. They were usually on Hollywood (what an exciting town that was then, it doesn’t seem the same now -- like the new, safe Times Square). Canter’s was one, perhaps another was Ben Frank’s. Larry usually drove, but sometimes it was Rob Weiss or other LA friends.
Kristen: Alas, I don’t think Watana ever realized his destiny as restauranteur.
Wat and his brother Tilowat did imbue me with a lasting appreciation for the higher echelons of Thai spice; a temporary command of simple Thai vocabulary and grammar (mostly having to do with kitchen utensils); the nickname “Neptune” (thanks to a mutual misunderstanding over my first name); and a memorable New Year’s Eve with a sharkskin-clad party of LA-based Thai … businessmen.
Absolutely amazing stuff — I adored the Brothers Pongrakthai!
*makes note of Tony’s suggestion of El Zarape* thanks! I wish I had a Negra Modelo right now….
Dean- don’t know Al’s… how does it stack up vs. Mr. Beef?
Weiner Circle!! I went there once. Great char. Less enthusiastic about the cheese sauce on the fries.
Someone who knows Chicago dogs should check out Lefty’s on 30th close to Upas and weigh in; are they up to snuff? There was a great place mid to late eighties up 30th from the Blend/King’s Road called Chicago Man that was awesome, but it’s long gone. El Zarape is a regular of mine, Mama’s is maybe bi-monthly for my workaday lunch gang. Also hit El Cuervo, across from La Posta, last week, still muy sabroso! Anyone try a rattlesnake burger at Tioli’s Crazy Burger?
Jimmy Carters on 5th avenue has noteworthy mexican -- enchiladas with choice of mole or chipotle cream sauce -- also kid friendly, for all you parents out there. My rule, pick a place that’s already noisy and that keeps bringing more chips….
I have a sentimental soft spot for Nati’s in Ocean Beach. I’ve been going there since 1966. A native San Diegan, I had my first mexifood there while in a high chair. Cool: they have a pic on the wall of Sean Cassidy from back in the 70’s wearing a Nati’s tshirt.
My mom used to take me to Natis. I agree- good local fare.
Sundays after shows was Nati’s breakfast with O.B. speedballs (Budweiser and coffee) and huevos rancheros. Across the street, three and a half decades prior, my wife used to bug Henry the proprietor of Poma’s by leaning into an ice cream case ogling the goods; we still make regular Poma’s trips, Henry’s still there, for the best meatball+cheese subs.
edit: uh, three and half decades prior to now, that is.
I’ve made a list of all these places for the next time I go to S.D. I usually go to a taco shop on San Diego Ave., near the bottom of the California St. hill for their shrimp quesadillas. That’s another thing about S.D. versus Bay Area Mexican food, they use cheddar cheese instead of the bland white cheese used up north.
Is anyone familiar with the term “wet burrito”? Camping here in Michigan, I’m deep in the heart of wet-burrito territory. This entails dousing a burrito with enchilada sauce and melting some cheese on top.
Is this more or less warped than rice in a burrito? (“Wet Burrito” sounds like an early-’70s country-rock band.)
“Wet-burrito territory” could also become the new code coastal types use instead of “fly-over states” or “Red States”. I’m sure Karl Rove is working on a reply….
God I’m getting Hungry reading this.
I’ve had it all over the country and SD rules for Mex. SF was wierd but I found a few holes in the wall on Mission that could do it for me. Chabellas, man it saved my life a few times.
El Cuervo on University I think right across from La Posta is still my favorite to this day.
Matthew: >>Is anyone familiar with the term “wet burrito”?
I totally forgot POKEZ! I would say that Pokez is the new La Posta. Except they have a vegan menu (as well as one with grilled carnage) and “wet burritos”. Home of the tattooed kool kids -- Chris Squire worked there a while back if that is testimony -- it has a funky mexi-skateboarder flair to it and lies adjacent to the Rosary Room, a tiny bar that showcases art, indy bands and pitchers of sangria. It is located on 9th and E Downtown.
ONE POINT: Have some time to chill out because Pokez lives up to it’s name. NOT a place to go with kids or if you are in a hurry.
Paul Kaufman:>>Dean- don’t know Al’s… how does it stack up vs. Mr. Beef?
Al’s in Little Italy is where I had my first Italian beef. Actually I think Mr. Beef is even better than Al’s, and Mr. Beef has more historic atmosphere. Al’s has been around since 1938 and is now a chain with several locations in Illinois, but you should go to their original location in Little Italy and “assume the position” (which is standing and leaning over the counter so you don’t drip the juice on your shirt).
Paul Brewin:>>There was a great place mid to late eighties up 30th from the Blend/King’s Road called Chicago Man that was awesome, but it’s long gone. Also hit El Cuervo, across from La Posta, last week, still muy sabroso!
I used to frequent that Chicago dog place on 30th. It was great! But I had not been to Chicago yet at the time.
El Cuervo’s carnitas tacos rule!
The first wet burrito I had in SD was the delicious Pollo Asada burrito at some place in Mission Valley in the 80s, yum! They call wet burritos “Enchilado” style at Baja Fresh. For a chain Baja Fresh is pretty good. I find their baja burritos better than many in the Bay area, especially with carne asada or carnitas. Their chicken is too dry. But I do NOT do Chipotle!
I really miss Machaca burritos! I found a good place in Oakland for machaca plates. It’s El Taco Zamorano at 4032 Foothill Blvd right across from Hell’s Angel headquarters.
Other old favorites:
Canada steakburger on University in East SD.
Hoagies Corner at 35th and El Cajon Blvd. Me and Mike Gomes practically lived on their sandwiches.
Dean- Here’s one I forgot. Cancun in Berkeley. They have the usual rice in the burrito NoCal issue, but they do have an awesome salsa bar. Strawberry, avocado, pumpkin, you name it, they make salsa out of it.
For real Mexican _cuisine_, Doña Tomas in North Oakland, or their more informal version, Tacubaya on 4th in Berkeley. I love everything they do.
While I’m NoCal salivating for you, another of my simple guilty pleasures was Meal Ticket on San Pablo in Berkeley, near the Albany line. Best pancakes ever. I’m not kidding. And great coffee.
Shall we discuss horchata and other licuados?
Yes! Any card-carrying taco shack needs to have:
1. Horchata (milk/rice/almond/cinnamon)- love it.
2. Aquas frescas (fruit juice, no milk)- also great. My faves are sandia (watermelon) and fresa (strawberry). Or, fruit-based licuados (with milk)- love ’em, especially piña. Rum optional 😉
3. Jamaica (hibiscus)- ok, a bit bland.
4. Tamarindo- not my favorite, as a drink. Makes a nice sauce for Thai or Indian appetizers.
Let’s not forget the fabulous, full fruit flavor of the Mexican paleta (ice cream bar). I always have one when I go to TJ. Fresa y crema, por favor!
I love horchata and aqua frescas but I try to cut down on sugar lately so I don’t always get them, especially when there’s beer, haha!
For gourmet Mexican in San Diego, El Agave is amazing. Their moles are outstanding and they have a million tequilas. IMO it’s better than Dona Tomas in Oakland, which seems too California-ized to me. For example their carnitas, which everone raves about, were not to my liking. They were too lean and dry. But I’ll have to try Tacubaya soon.
The restaurant across from the Angel’s club house in Oakland is about as close as it gets to SD Mexican flare up here in the North. The restaurants and variety of dining up here in the bay area, is by far much better all around, (in my opinion), but when you need a juicy carne asada burrito, El Zarape style up here, you’ve got to accept that it just isn’t gonna happen.
There was a place in Sacramento that I used to go to when I was up that way- “Luis’ mexican restaurant”- had decent food, a room that was completely tiled for parties and tons of photos of Luis with all kinds of celebrities.
Anybody ever try the Basque places near Bakersfield? I like random pockets of ethnicity, especially on a plate.
My absolute favorite was Tony’s Jacal in Eden Gardens. When I went back to San Diego for my dad’s funeral a few years ago I took surface streets all the way from the airport to Fallbrook, and stumbled upon a pretty decent little hole in the wall just outside of escondido near the back side of Lake Hodges. It was in a strip mall near (163? The highway that passes Poway on the way to Escondido. ) I believe it was across the freeway from that huge mall (North County Faire?)
El Huarache Azteca in Oakland has some good central Mexican food. Huaraches are sort of shoe-shaped very thick corn tortillas topped with any combination of meats, zuchini flowers, black corn fungus (it’s pretty good, better than the flowers). They’re like an oval sope.
Huitlacoche! It is a rare treat- I think restaurants are just starting to realize that gringos somehow like the sound of “Mexican truffle” better than “corn fungus” or “corn smut”. Mmmmm- corn smut.
When I moved to Massachusetts, I was surprised to find a place that makes an elegant and delicious huitlacoche enchilada. Tu y Yo in Somerville, y’all.
Reverting back to the Chicago hot dogs and Italian beef we discussed, I just found out there’s a place in San Leandro, CA, that makes authentic Vienna Sausage brand Chicago dogs and Italian beef sandwiches.
Chowhound review
And I also learned there’s a Chicago food chain called Portillo’s with locations in So Cal.
Portillo’s
We’ve talked a lot about Mexican food in this thread but haven’t dwelt at length on our favorite spots in Mexico. Just keeping it simple and talking Tijuana, Paul Kaufman and I had some excellent meals at La Vuelta, which Paul assures me is still rockin’ (although I’d probably skip the fried piglet tripe nowadays).
Anybody want to recommend eateries in Tijuana?
I had a nice lunch of sopes at Pozolandia on Revolucion a couple of years ago:
http://www.flickr.com/photos/pimpollo/535697391/
Have not been to Tijuana in years, but we used to love Carnitas Uruapan, which was somewhere in the suburbs of TJ (we took a taxi), and served huge steaming platters of carnitas family style with all the fixings priced by weight (by kilograms). Now restaurants by that name are all over the place in California, and when I see one I always try to check it out. I have been to Rosarito fairly recently (for a wedding a few years ago) and had great carnitas there.
the way i got so smart was from eatin celebro, sesos id ono know. I LIKE EL PASTORE! EEPa! Yepa!…………..
I´m still in Spain, where the food is great, but it is impossible to find any Mexican food worth anything. The closest you can find is Old El Paso in the supermarket.
I´m a bit of a snob when it comes to Southern California Mexican taco shop food. Anyone who´s been anywhere in Mexico knows it´s not really Mexican food, but I can´t really go three or four days without it. It´s one of the things that´s caused me to stay in San Diego my whole life! Outside of La Posta, where I´ve been poisoned twice but can´t help return to, you are usually on the right track if it is painted yellow and red and has the suffix “berto´s” in its name. I´m starting a list of some of the “-berto´s” I´ve spotted:
Roberto´s (the original)
Alberto´s
Adalberto´s
Filiberto´s
Aberto´s
Aiberto´s
Greetings, Ray! I agree, the food in Spain is fantastic. I’m especially fond of the cheeses. So much so, that one of the tunes on the Lemons Are Yellow album, entitled “Afuegal Pitu” (a spicy soft cheese, literally “Fire in the Throat” in the local dialect), was my attempt to advertise the great varieties of Spanish cheese.
This website rules!:
Burritophile
Ray: Great call on the hallmarks of fine burrito-joint dining … We should open a Nabokov-themed place and name it Humberto Humberto’s!
I propose one called Ernesto y Berto’s.
Nancy and I are at this moment sampling the huitlacoche gorditas (among other delicacies) at Los Pollitos II, 5th/Douglass in Park Slope, Brooklyn.
Tom Ward: Are you familiar with this tasty joint?
Park Slope?? You’re about two subway stops away from me! But I’m still fairly new to the neighborhood--moved in six months ago. I do not yet know Los Pollitos II, but I shall! The name makes me think of polite little chickens. They mean no harm, but it is their fate to be eaten, again and again! “II” indicates the sequel, in which they are consumed yet again. It’s not easy being a Pollito.
Maybe the neighborhood needs a good greasy spoon. How about naming it “Park Slop”?
I hear there’s confusion among German fans of soul music, when visiting England, between “vegan” and “Wigan.” Seems that when searching for the site of the famous Wigan Casino, locals have referred them to a local vegan restaurant where card games have been known to break out. No, not really!
Maybe that’s the restaurant we should found in Park Slope: der Vegan Casino. Kind of like Der Wienerschnitzel only different. Soundtrack could be 90% Tamla / Motown. “Stop--in the name of lunch / before you break your fast…”. Think it over--aren’t vegetables good for you? Hasn’t fruit been sweet to you? If you get a particularly good lunch, you must don an A-line skirt, and twirl around, whirling-dervish fashion. One of the many quaint customs to be found at der Vegan Casino.
I imagine myself dodging tomatos…. I just flew in from San Diego. My arms are certainly tired….