Day 174: Chino's

Tonight, the E.P. and I headed deep into the Richmond with our buddy "The Finger" to explore this distant part of the city's Mexican option. With most of their supplies stored in the dimly lit dining room, and the same chairs as the E.P.'s parents had in their kitchen when we were kids (yet missing the matching wooden table that currently resides in our living room), this restaurant has one of the more interesting ambiances I have yet experienced. Regardless of the eating conditions, the tacos were surprisingly good, and I could see why there was a constant line of take out customers the entire time we were enjoying our food.

Day 173: Circa

Tuesday night found the E.P. and I trecking across the rainy, cold city to Circa in the Marina on a venture to visit our friend Brook (who happens to be one of the bartenders). We found a pair of seats at the bar, and Brook immediately ordered our tacos, and poured us some libations. With the Warriors on the TV above the bar, we settled in with a couple of Stellas to watch the game and await our food. I began to notice that there was a large number of people in the restaurant with name tags on. I finally put 2 and 2 together, when I came back into the restaurant after making a quick phone call and some lady tried to charge me $10 American and slap a name badge on me before I explained I was just here for dinner, that some group or club was throwing a singles night. After finding my seat back at the bar, I couldn't help but overhear some of the very interesting conversations tacking place between the attendees of this event. Top two quotes (just to give you an idea of what we were forced to endure): "You're pretty dark for a Russian" and, the winner, "I'm just a regular guy who likes to work out." Also, each attendee had a scavenger hunt sheet prompting him or her to find other singles who fit certain descriptions (such as someone who had ridden a horse in the last week or someone who enjoys yachting in their free time). Really, quite entertaining. Anyway, luckily for us, this event only lasted till about the start of the fourth quarter, and then the bar started to empty out. After the Warriors finished getting their ass kicked by the Jazz, the E.P. and I imbibed one more Stella to ease the pain, and flagged Brook down to pay our bill. As we filled out the credit card receipts, I decided to use the Duper technique of leaving the tip line blank, and just filling in the area for the total amount (Example: Your bill is $20 so you fill in the bottom line with $24 and let the bartender figure out you left her $4 American). Without even looking at the bill, I asked the E.P. how much his total was after tip (we had split the check, and he mistakenly said/ I mistakenly heard him say $19.22 depending on which one of us you ask), filled in the line, and signed. As we headed home, the E.P.'s phone began to ring. When he answered, it was Brook on the other end wondering why I had only left her a 23 cent tip (the bill had been for $18.99). Unbeknownst to me, the Duper technique apparently doesn't function properly in a 2 person configuration. Needless to say, I owe an understandably irate bartender a taco or three to atone for my lazy ways.

Day 172: My Kitchen

Day 171: Rico's

Well, it finally happened. I am shocked it took this long, but the wait is now over. Today, I managed to shove my Rico's tacos into my face so fast that both were safely in my belly long before I realized I hadn't taken the requisite photo. Luckily, I had my receipt (complete with date and time), and the good fortune of having shared my Sunday evening meal with the E.P. (material witness).

Day 170: Mi Casa

After experiencing twice, and hearing about once, the fabled "cheese between the tortillas" taco, I decided that I would attempt to duplicate this amazing member of the taco clan in my kitchen. Turned out to be very easy, and super tasty. I fried up 2 quesadillas in my iron skillet, and then topped with my usual taco fare. sometimes the most brilliant-est of ideas are also the most simple.

Day 169: Left at Albuquerque

The E.P. and I met senor Jack at Lefty's (Sorry. Lefty's is actually Lefty O'douls downtown) Friday night for what turned out to be 3 table tappers and a bountiful array of Mexican food. After an assortment of appetizers (McCarthy style for all of those of you in the know), we ordered up some main courses, and settled in to attempt a coup of the 2-pitcher cylinder of beer still on our table. Thankfully Senor Jack does not like Ell Guac. My tacos were inexplicably absent my favorite verde accoutrement, but Jackson was kind enough to transfer his portion on to my two previously lacking tacos tacos tacos!

Day 168: V-Day at the Casa

My taco inspiration this Valentines day came from Aileen (an avid Daily Taco fan and one of the wonderful ladies I have the pleasure of working with every day at THE Zimmer-Cook). As per our daily routine, whilst I was wandering around the office today she inquired as to what kind of taco I would be enjoying for installment 168 of the TDT experience. Usually this conversation takes place around 6:30AM when I am still mostly asleep and can only mumble something generally incoherent in response. Today, however, I had the great fortune of not making it to the office till around 11. In a much more alert state I was able to stop and really ponder what I might do on this feast of St. Valentine. Not surprisingly, I came up with nothing. Cue Aileen. In a stroke of brilliance, she suggested that I create a tortilla in the shape of a heart! Followed up with the idea to add some red food coloring to the tortilla dough (In traditional Senor fashion I forgot the food coloring and had to substitute Tapatio hot sauce instead. The tortillas turned out more orange than red, but I feel I deserve an A for effort, so lay off me O.K.), Aileen had instantly created the perfect fusion of valentine and taco. A package of heart friendly Buffalo meat and a couple of bottles of vino roso (also good for the heart), and I was ready for a Valentine's Day taco feast.