This one goes out to my friend from Buffalo...When I was a kid, there were few comparisons to the smell of bacon frying just before I got up in the morning. Wafting in through the air, the sweet smokey smell was a sign that someone had gone out of their way to do something special for me, no matter how simple that one action was. The same was and is true for biscuits, or fresh baked cookies, or a number of other pungent comfort foods. Becoming more ideas than food, they are all attached to a pleasing smell that sets off our taste buds and floods our thoughts with pleasant memories past associated with them. (Man I could really go for a fresh baked cookie right now)
Thinking of all this reminded me of a conversation that I had with a friend where I listened to him describe a little taqueria near his house with great enthusiasm(called Taqueria Laredo I believe). The focus of the excitement wasn't based on the main stream type of Mexican food highlights you come to expect, like the salsa, or the so-and-so tacos, or the price of the Margaritas or even Queso(which is Tex-Mex by the way my skinny pals).
No, this was more sincere and as my culinary mind soaked it all in I thought of those comforting foods and smells from years ago and their profound affect on me. He was talking about the fact that they have a station set up for hand-made tortillas with three or four different ladies cranking them out in some Spanish grandma symphony of movement. My eyes glazed over and I could almost smell the delicious smell of the tortillas toasting to perfection on the hot griddle as he described the process. It was but a fleeting moment in a description of some one else's food fantasy, but I am now motivated to say the least.
So, I have decided to spend the next month or so going to as many REAL Mexican food places in Houston as I possibly can, and will put out my top ten at the end of August/beginning of September. This will include taco carts, Taquerias, and even some in between places that claim to be authentic Mexican food. We're gonna put them on the griddle and see what sizzles, people! It is my duty as a Fatman, as a blogger, and as a lover of frying smells and gooey cookies to succeed in the face of this great task.
Have a place in your hood you think should be included? Know about a "secret" location for the perfect Torta? Found the best taco cart in town?
Write me and let me know. I want to be knee-deep in your ideas, you skinny supporters of mine.
Until next time los Amigos Flacos,
mk
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