 | | | | | | In Search Of the Perfect Taco | | NewWest Missoula | | February 04, 2010 2:39 PM | | | I once ate 14 tacos in one sitting. It was a taco-off with one of my frat brothers, Kent something-or-other (he drove an '82 Mustang, the ugliest body style ever). I worked my way through college (almost) waiting tables in Mexican restaurants, and I lived on Mexican food. The joint where I worked had an all-you-can-eat night, and Kent foolishly thought he could take me in tacos. We were both poor dumb punks, and probably wagered nothing more that the $3.99 cost of the dinner.
Thirteen tacos later (they brought them out three at a time), Kent was slipping into a food coma and his grease-smeared hands dropped to his sides. The small crowd that had gathered around our table started making side bets as to whether or not he'd puke. It was a Mexican standoff, until I managed to cram one more taco into my yap, washing it down with a gulp of draft beer. Back then my insides were still made of Kryptonite and Teflon, so I pulled it off. My legend was secured. Later Kent and I laid on our backs on the living room floor for several hours, puffing and squeaking and flopping around like a couple of beached Orcas. The restaurant discontinued their all-you-can-eat special after that, and one of the toilets in the frat house had to be replaced.
You'd think that after such a punishing overdose of tacos, I would have sworn off them. On the contrary, good reader, they remain one of my favorite foods. The beauty of Mexican food is that it's the same four or five ingredients, arranged and prepared in a variety of ways. I love it all. But it's the search for the perfect taco that propels me into Mexican restaurants all over the country. | | | Full Article... | | | Log in to comment... | | |
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