My Favorite Neighborhood Bistro

Sorry, this post might be a little rambling, because this is a topic I feel very emotional about.

If you are hoping to gain a lifelong enemy in the author of this blog, I have some excellent advice for you. Say, in a really patronizing tone, “There isn’t any good Mexican food in FILL IN THE BLANK WITH YOUR CITY.” My first question is, “Have you been to Mexico for longer than a Tijuana run?” They always reply, “well you know, I’m from California or I’m from Texas.” Well, you know, I’m half Mexican and the only place I’ve ever lived with a dearth of good Mexican food is San Pedro Sula. Sorry Hondurans, but every time something looks like it is going to be good, you bite into it and sample cheese that tastes like curdled radiator fluid. The all out best Mexican food is in Arizona, but you can always find something.

My next questions is, “Do you actually live in a city without this?”



Now, I might be a bit biased since this is my favorite restaurant (except the nasty excuse for a Taco Bell in Penn Station), but why the hate? Why are the cultural authenticity police always having a shakedown at the local Taco Bell? Once I was enjoying a chicken baja gordita and my revelry was cut short by this doofus at work who pointed an accusatory finger at me and proclaimed, “That isn’t authentic latin food. They would never eat that in Cuba.” He was right. One of the gravest disadvantages of living in a communist country is the lack of a Taco Bell. Furthermore, I doubt our pizza is 100% authentic Italian style, but no one ever hates on that.

Another time someone told me, “Your dad is from Mexico, how can you actually eat that?” All I have to say is that he isn’t thinking about culinary snobbery either when he is halfway through a grilled stuffed burrito. Who wouldn’t want to eat this?



I can’t believe that I am getting so upset writing about Taco Bell hate mongers, so I’d better go to bed. Just know that if you proclaim yourself an expert on Mexican cuisine, it will have the same affect upon our friendship as if you had said, "My favorite book is the Alchemist." I will leave you with the little known fact that Taco Bell relieved my sister’s morning sickness. Feel free to send me Taco Bell gift cards for my recent birthday, address available upon request.