It’s appropriate that after all this writing that I would end up writing from the same place where the blog began almost a year ago. Much like the first entry, I began the day “working” by collecting wetland data near Montegut. It was hot, I was hungry, and I only had $6 cash. Not to mention, my options were limited in this run-down town. Thankfully, a co-worker suggested a nearby taco stand he had seen on the side of the road on a previous field trip. I’m all about street food, so I was all over the idea. When we pulled up to the taco stand (basically a converted sno-ball stand), the sign in front of Taqueria D.F. made ordering seem almost too easy.
Not so fast, my friend. Yeah, the options were limited to quesadillas, tacos, tortas (Mexican po-boys), burritos, and gorditas, but the fillings of these things were undeniably limitless. There were the familiar shredded chicken and brisket and the semi-recognizable carnitas, but my eyes quickly wondered to the bottom of the menu taped to the sliding glass window."lengua (beef tongue), barbacoa (beef cheek), cabeza (beef head), buche (pork stomach)"
There were more entrails on the menu of this tiny kitchen than on the prop list of an early ‘90s Nickelodeon game show. Even though I was feeling more adventurous than Andrew Zimmern, and was willing to try one of these terrible delicious sounding tacos, the translator inside the small stand said they weren’t ready yet (we were the first customers of the day). Somewhat disappointed, I ordered 1 chicken taco and 2 carnita tacos.
My frustration quickly dissipated. It’s amazing how something so straightforward can turn out so amazing. Griddled corn tortillas, carnitas, white onion, cilantro and a limed wedge. That’s it. This was simplicity and fill-you-up-for-cheap at its best. Not to mention, I got to wash all the pork goodness down with a Mexican Coke (sweetened with real sugar instead of high fructose corn syrup). Giggady.250 miles away in Vicksburg, freshness and authenticity were forsaken (that really came out sounding like the narrator of Swamp People). From outside, Taco Casa appears to be some rundown spinoff of Taco Bell that could have been featured on the Wild and Wonderful Whites of West Virginia.
For those who actually make it inside, they quickly realize this is not the Americanized Mexican fast food we’ve grown to love at 3:00 in the morning after $1.00 Night- it’s much better, and worse at the same time. The carpet hasn’t been changed in 20 years, or even cleaned in the last 20 days. There are only 4 combos posted on the newly refurbished menu behind the counter, but I’ve never seen anybody order them. Like all other frequenters of this local chain (the one in Tuscaloosa, AL can’t be the same), I’ve always ordered from the à la carte menu that includes tacos, burritos, sanchiladas, and their specialty, taco burgers. I’m still not even sure what a sanchilada is, so I ordered my usual.
Like the 400 other times I’ve been here, I gave the lady $6.00 or $7.00 (they don’t take cards or checks), and she gave me my order number from a hand written receipt. I waited around for a minute or two while the old lady smoking behind the counter threw together my custom combo. Once I heard the microwave ding, I knew my order was complete and walked over and picked up a handful of the mini containers of hot sauce, and got my brown tray of oh-so-unhealthy deliciousness- 1 combination burrito, 1 soft taco, 1 chile con queso, and a medium sweet tea.
You’re probably wondering why I would continually expose myself to microwaved ash tacos. Hell, I ask myself that every time walk in this musty, humid restaurant. Maybe it’s the crushed ice. Maybe it’s nostalgia. Maybe it’s the fact that I can walk out miserably full for really cheap. Or, maybe it’s something in the hot sauce or the “beef”. I’m not sure what it is, and I may never know why, but it seems like every trip home, I get a craving for a combination burrito and my car somehow auto-pilots to Taco Casa.
No comments:
Post a Comment