AMERIQUE:


A NOTE FROM THE EDITOR: It is the unspoken statistic, but it is as real as anything to do with the lingering U.S. war efforts in Iraq and Afghanistan. According to the military, 1,800 American servicemen have killed themselves since the initial invasion of Baghdad. That is in addition to the more than 4,000 who died in battle. This week, families of the soldiers who committed suicide asked President Barack Obama to change the government policy of not forwarding letters of appreciation to mothers and fathers of these servicemen. By week's end, the White House had reversed the policy and agreed that such letters are needed, as well... - Eduardo Paz-Martinez, Editor of The Tribune

Sunday, August 8, 2010

Tonight, Let It Be Tacos Der Fajita...

By RICARDO KLEMENT
Staff Writer

McALLEN, Texas - Over near the intersection of Business 83 and McColl Road is a large, ancient strip mall where Sears once held court here. The sprawling, warehouse-like building is now a local hardware store where it's damned near impossible to find anything without the help of an employee. Try finding a lightbulb in there. But just west, not more than 50 yards as the Pachuco stumbles, is a bright-yellow, frame building that likely would look a lot better near the ocean or atop a mountain.

That is the home of Crazy Mariachi, the city's latest entry into the world of Tex-Mex grub. It hasn't opened yet, but it soon will, or so says a sign pasted on its window. Most of you know I am a whore for tacos, and, in my book, going on a taco hunt is what the weekend's all about.

Today, I read in the New York Times about how Berlin (Berlin!) has gone ga-ga over Tex-Mex food. Taquerias where freakin' Adolf Hitler once cruised? Achtung, baby!

The latest taco joint to open there, according to the Times is Maria Peligro (Skalitzer Strasse 81) in Kreuzberg (see photo above). It is described in this manner: "A Mexican cantina with a Berlin twist, Peligro has D.J.’s, hand-me-down couches and a dining room dominated by a masked portrait of Blue Demon, a Mexican wrestler. Tequila and mezcal drinks complement a rotating menu of spicy tacos and enchiladas." Last month, its owners opened their third restaurant - the cool, cozy Santa Maria (Oranienstrasse 170), also in Kreuzberg. In that one, the focus is on Mexico City street food classics like chilaquiles, tortas and tacos. “We’re young and stupid,” owner Ramses Manneck said. “As long as we still have energy and ideas, we’ll keep going.”

Another perhaps more-intriguing Tex-Mexer has caught the eye of the Germans, as well, says The Times. That one carries a rather appropo name: Ta' Cabron Taqueria. Well, okay, that has a rival in San Juan, where Tacos-N-Madre does brisk business along busy, busy Raul Longoria Boulevard.

I expect to soon see a story in the Valley Morning Star telling me some brave Mexican has launched a rolling double-decker taco bus in stuffed-shirt Harlingen...

- 30 -

4 comments:

Anonymous said...

Pura jente pansona, mujeres Y hombres, here in the Valley they just eat, and eat and eat, and eat more. Crazy overweight people, can't stop eating.

Patrick Alcatraz said...

ANON:...They absolutely "can" stop eating, if they want to - thing is they never do. I've heard some say they just can't push away from a table with fajita platters the size of tractor tires. Quien sobby... - Editor

Anonymous said...

I am beginning to think it is the poor sick pathetic culture, even some pretty women, eat like if it is going out of style. Instead of going to the Gym.
Drink, dance and eat is the word of the week-end.

Chano Maracas said...

It " Helps " to Forget about all Their Debts Problems, Raised Their self steem and " Their Little -person Syndrome / inferiority complex " ... As Mexican - Americans, Chicanos, pochos - We Own Nothing, WE are just poor consumers.!!!