Catching Up

Since the last post a few days ago (let’s see…. a week ago. Cool, yeah only a few days), I’ve had myself a lot of tacos and obviously did a lot of internetting. Just not on here. So let’s start with last Tuesday, March 3. The first Taco Tuesday of MARCH OF TACO MARCH™ had to be celebrated at the home of the the trademarked phrase Taco Tuesday.

Taco John’s. I’d call it a guilty pleasure, but I don’t feel guilty about it at all. I grew up eating their crispy beef tacos, and I won’t give them up, especially on Taco Tuesday. That doesn’t mean I’ll only eat them though. The two on the right were those crispy beauties, the two on the left were the new Taco John’s fish tacos.

I think these were 2 for $4, not quite the 99 cent deal of the crispy bois. And honestly, I think I’ll stick with the crispy beef tacos from now on. These were fine. Not my favorite fish tacos I’ve ever had. Get rid of the cheese and throw some pickled veggies on there, maybe a little better quality tortilla. Less sour cream. And higher quality fish. But for a fast food taco place, this was passable. No regrets. The crispy beef tacos were exactly what I wanted them to be, as they always are. There’s a place for Taco John’s in everyone’s life. The only thing that there isn’t room for in MARCH OF TACO MARCH is judgement. I only wish they’d bring back the Apple Grande full time. I love that crunchy apple dessert.

Keep that no judgement thing in mind with these next tacos….

Breakfast tacos inspired by a favorite breakfast sandwich. Eggs, American cheese, Canadian bacon. Minus the English muffin, plus jalapeno hot sauce and crema. An Egg McMuffin-ish taco. I didn’t hate these. In fact, I’d make them again for a fairly quick Wednesday morning breakfast, and to get the daily taco allotment.

Thursday was a special day. Well, March 5th is a special day. This one marked my 4th anniversary with Whitney! You may notice this is also the 4th MARCH OF TACO MARCH. I don’t think it’s a coincidence. And it’s become a tradition to make these elegant, super bougie tacos for our anniversary – lobster tacos from the Empellon cookbook I linked in my last post and probably every other post I’ll do because it’s a good cookbook that I use very often. They’re great, Whitney said we should probably make them more often. I fully agree, but I’m not sure my wallet does. . . but more special occasions, yes.

We also had my patented Flenkeritas in fancy glasses (my patented recipe has mezcal, because mezcal is delicious). These are decadent and I want them all the time. Lobster and sweet corn and hell yes.

On Friday I hit the road to Des Moines for my actual real life (hey friends go out and purchase Thew beer and ask for it at your local bar no matter where you are and talk about it), which is great reason to try new places. After some internet research, I learned about Tacos Mariana’s. I’m glad the internet delivered this, because they were great.

Carnitas, pastor, birria, and asada. These were so good, and the rice and beans tied it all together. I can’t put them up above El Super Burrito, but they’re up there. If anyone has any other taco spots to try around the state, please let me know!

On my way back from Des Moines I got a text from my friend, Ed, asking if we’d join him and his wife for a Mexican dinner and to help bump up the taco count. Of course. Two Hacienda fish tacos and one hard shell beef later, and had made it to 35.

Some quick hits for the rest of the tacos… onto Saturday, a visit from Whitney’s family and a long day of fun wrapped up at Caucho, and three fish tacos. Then a lazy as hell Sunday, but not too lazy for Instant Pot carnitas. I’m an Instant Pot believer.