The Chico's Tacos Experience

Chico's Tacos, El Paso

I had not had a plate of rolled tacos at Chico's Tacos, El Paso, Texas for probably fifty years when my husband, Wayne, suggested recently that we go there for lunch. 

Chico's Tacos is synonymous with the true El Paso experience.  Many native El Pasoans have memories of their youth eating at Chico's after carousing on Saturday night or with the family on Sunday afternoon.  Out of town college students make a beeline for Chico's on their first visit home.  And family members returning home for the holidays make Chico's a regular stop.  It's THE THING to do.

Chico's knows it has a faithful clientele.  They don't have to make constant menu changes or pamper customers to keep El Pasoans coming.   And it is important to be aware of the rituals at Chico's if you don't want to be spotted as a tourist. 

First, Chico's instructs customers to line up to order.  A large red sign directs you to one of two lines.  Chico's is ready for a barrage of customers!  

You want to make sure that you have cash in your pocket.  None of this newfangled electronic banking business.  Chico's wants cold hard cash.

The menu is on a large board.  Rolled tacos are the first item.  Reading no further, we ordered two single orders (three rolled tacos), an order of French fries to share, and two iced teas.

When your order is ready, the man behind the counter calls your number in English and Spanish.  You collect your tray and find a table.

Ah, the tacos looked just as I remembered them. Meat tacos topped with shredded cheese, swimming in sauce (more about the sauce below!)

Extra napkins are already provided at the table.  They definitely come in handy.

Finishing my three tacos, I was in the process of completing the meal when Wayne said, "Are you drinking the sauce right out of the bowl?"    "Sure, look around at the other diners," I said.   It is de rigueur at Chico's Tacos to slurp up the last bit of sauce. And, I might add,  I think it is the best part of the dish.

As we left the restaurant, it felt good that we had successfully participated in a local ritual.  

Now if I could just convince Chico's to offer a vegetarian version of the rolled taco plate.  But who would want to mess with over fifty years of success?

From the Southwest to the Pacific Coast

If you have never been to the American Southwest, you may picture it as one vast desert offering only cacti, cowboys, and chile for entertainment.  But one of the joys of living in the Southwest is its geographical location within the United States.  A two hour flight from El Paso, Texas to Los Angeles, California takes you so quickly from the desert to the coast that it is hard for the mind to adjust.  

My husband, Wayne, and I took such a trip recently and pronounced it one of our easiest travels ever.  Leaving El Paso about 8:00 am, we were sitting at the Farmer's Market in Los Angeles, having a delicious crepe for lunch, that same afternoon.

Farmers Market, Los Angeles

 A major league baseball game at Dodgers Stadium on Saturday night provided us with a once in a lifetime experience in the big leagues.

An we weren't the only attendees at the game!  Great opportunity for people-watching!

Crowd at Dodger Stadium

Sunday morning found us at Union Station in downtown Los Angeles catching the Amtrak Coast Starlight train to Portland, Oregon.  We slept one night on the train and most of our waking hours were spent oohing and aahing over the scenery viewed from the large picture windows in the parlor car or our roomette.   

Coast Starlight rounding a curve

The ocean views, so close at times, were a delight for us desert dwellers.

Ocean view from train

And then we were treated to scenes with lots of greenery.  Another unusual scene for our eyes!

View from train

Arriving in Portland, Oregon all too soon, we admired the train station before catching an Uber ride to our hotel.

Portland, Oregon train station

A gondola ride high above the city gave us a chance to take a panoramic picture of Portland.

View of Portland, Oregon

We also enjoyed walking along the Willamette River, a special sight for those of us from a climate with only nine inches of rainfall in a good year.

Willamette River, Portland

Just imagine needing several large bridges to cross the water in Portland.  In my home town of El Paso, the Rio Grande is a mere trickle most of the year.

Bridge in Portland, Oregon

We found many enticing eating establishments in Portland, including Mother's for brunch.  But our favorite was a traditional restaurant, Huber's, where my husband ordered (and raved about for days) a full turkey and ham Thanksgiving dinner!

Huber's Restaurant, Portland 

In less than a week, we were back in the Desert Southwest, basking in the constant sunshine and craving Mexican food, but the realization that we can experience another part of our country with such ease is going to be a comforting thought when yearly spring dust storms make us long to be any place but home.