Thursday, June 24, 2010

Red Tacos for a Blue Lady

I still do not miss Wichita Falls. I miss Backdoor Theatre, of course, but not the city.
But the Falls does have some things to offer, about two to be exact, which most people don't even know about. The theatre, of course, that is the single most worthwhile thing in that place, as under-supported as it may be.

The other one is Casa Mañana, downtown. I just read on Facebook that they had a fire, and so it's temporarily closed, and that is tragic. When GA and I are in WF at the same time, we always try to go to the Casa for their delicious red tacos. Don't try Googling it, because the closest you'll get is the old Freddy's on Iowa Park Road, which is closed. But you can read some comments about it here.

If you ever have an opportunity to have lunch or dinner in that wicked, drug ridden city, you must go by Casa Mañana, and order something- anything - that includes at least one red taco. When it is served to you, check the table for a little squeeze bottle with a red liquid inside. That is the red sauce. Put a dollop on one bite of the taco, and prepare to be enthralled. If you like it, put it on the whole darn thing.

Back in the day, they served them swimming in that sauce, and that is why they are called red tacos. Now that they let you put your own sauce on it, to taste, they come to your table not so red. The shell of the taco is between hard and soft, kind of thick, crunchy and flexible.

I'm not sure what's in the sauce, but I think I can taste wine, and maybe some catalina dressing. No matter, it's delicious. And you can't get it anywhere in the world except in the City that Faith Built. (They don't use that motto anymore... now it's the City of Meth Labs or something). You can find something close in Monterrey, Mexico, or in a couple of border towns, but it won't be exactly the same. Besides, the drug crime in Mexico is even worse than in Wichita Falls.

The tortilla chips are awesome, too. Pay a little extra, and order the queso. Mix a little of the salsa they bring to you, and dip those chips for a taste treat.

And it's healthy, too. OK, I'm lying on that part, but there are some pleasures that are worth destruction of your arteries. Oh, and don't ask to see the health permits. Consider this to be an adventure, and don't worry about the ambiance. It may look like a pig sty, but trust me, you've eaten in some fancy schmancy restaurants that are actually less clean.

Now I'm starting to miss that awful place. Meaning the awful city, not the Casa.
 
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