The Labor day weekend is upon us.  With it brings the end of summer (somewhere), the beginning of school, and of the NFL season.  You have to look hard, but if you try, you can feel subtle changes.  The shortening length of the day is finally noticeable and while still miserably hot in the Sparkling City, the heat doesn’t dominate the day like it has once did.  Soon the wind will change and we’ll be blessed with cool weather.  I look forward to that morning when I’ll have to linger on my daily shuffle to pick up the paper and relish in that delicious, distinctly autumn feeling in the air.

Labor day is also a time for end of summer celebrations.  Every year in Brady, TX, they hold the World Championship Barbecue Goat Cook Off – and I plan to be there this year.  Once upon a time we fielded a team in the yearly event, but not in a while.  Seventh place was our only appearance in the top 10.  I didn’t spend the time to get the numbers, but I’d have to guess that during the festival the population of roughly 5,000 quadruples.  It’s a reason for Brady Ex-Pats to return to the roost, and touch base with those they haven’t seen in a while.  Facebook, MySpace, Twitter, they are all great for getting in touch and staying in touch.  But they’re not human touch like a handshake or a hug from a friend.  Food’s good too.  I can’t tell you how many times I’ve had barbecued goat, wrapped in a tortilla with onions, peppers.  A creation damn close to the proto-taco.  I’m looking forward to both the friends and the feast.

But Brady is 5 hours from the Bay City and that means a drive.  I have my traditional stopping spots on the route, usually somewhere in San Antonio to fill a growler with a fresh barley beverage to enjoy with friends.  Sometimes a bite to eat in Fredericksburg, or at a favorite Truck Stop just outside of SA that has a really good burger.  And it’s Truck Stops that have me thinking this morning.

Taco Show Host and I met up at the Corpus Christi Truck Stop and Restaurant for Taco Friday this time.  I don’t know if it happens to anyone else, but I quite often find myself talking with random people about tacos and to that end I give a shout out to the unknown recommender of this hash house.  I’d never been there so I didn’t know what to expect.  The place evoked nostalgia with three public phones in the dining room.  There was a smoking section complete with ashtrays, though no one was smoking.  And if needed, a shower could be had for $7.  A peek into the kitchen saw a well-used flat top with a guy using it well in the preparation of our breakfast.  They had a pretty good selection of tacos and I settled on a picadillo and a fajita.  Both on flour.  The food took a bit longer than usual, but it was well worth the wait.  My tacos were huge and stuffed.  I’m a fan of the picadillo taco – a humble taco of ground beef, usually in a gravy with potatoes and spices.  The Truck Stop’s offering was the best I’ve ever had.  Cooked on the flat top when I ordered it.  It was creative with fresh tomatoes and peppers and potatoes.  More hash than stew.  Instead of a thin hamburger gravy, there was a rich coating of delicious caramelized meat and vegetables.  Outstanding!  I definitely recommend it.  The fajita taco was exceptional too.  Griddled beef, onions and green peppers glistening with the magic cooked into that flat top.  The beef was tender, but not overcooked and seasoned with a good amount of black pepper.  Neither taco needed anything.  However, for professional reasons I had to try the salsa. It was delicious.  As close to home made as I’ve had in a restaurant, ever.  Tomatoes, onions, and plenty of chili.  I couldn’t get enough.  And it turns out it was made fresh earlier in the morning by our waitress.  She was attentive and friendly, as was everyone I talked to in the place.  Our coffee cups never runneth out and the coffee was pretty good.  If you had to pin me down and make me point out a deficiency, it would be the tortillas.  We debated some as to their origin:  off-the-shelf, or not.  I say not because there was too much evidence of hand in the tarp.  Maybe even an inexperienced hand.  Taco Show Host didn’t seem convinced by my evidence.

We sat, stuffed, and had a couple of cups of coffee before TSH pointed out the fly-strip, complete with flies dangling from the ceiling above my head, and still I’ll be back.  A word of advice though, let them do what they do best and order something that’s sure to be cooked on the griddle.

Salud

Our Taco Award Winner for this week is:

Jennifer Beals

Former teen model, Jennifer Beals is best known for her portrayal of “Alex” in the 1983 movie Flashdance.  She has appeared in over 50 films and more recently in the titillating Showtime series The L Word.  She is scheduled to play Chicago’s first female police chief on Fox’s Ride-Along.  This self-described “Spiritual Person” is currently married with children.

Offer includes 2 tacos, an audience with the ‘tacoteurs,’ and a free tacotopia t-shirt. Please redeem this offer at Whetstone Graphics on a Friday morning of your choice. Offer subject to cancellation by order of the wives of the tacoteurs.  Enter to win by emailing your name on a original copy of Tinikling ou ‘La madonne et le dragon to tacos@tacotopia.net.