One of the major perks of my job is the travel. I get to travel to some pretty great destinations – Bahamas, Grand Caymans, Hawaii, Cabo, and Cancun to name a few. Over the years, one of the most important aspects of travel for me has become the food. When I first started, the one thing my President said was, “you need to taste the food. it has to be good.” That was one sacrifice I was willing to make.
I love restaurants that serve the rare, exotic, unusual fares that I can’t get at just any restaurant. I also love the dirty-hole-in-the-wall-I-may-get-food-poisoning-here types of places too. On my last trip to Cancun, I asked my handlers [my destination management company] to take me to a taqueria. I said, “don’t waste my time on nice, fancy places where you take the gringos…take me to the authentic place that you like to eat at.” He warned, “ok, but cash only…and don’t be afraid…have a beer and be prepared.”
With that, he took me to a local taqueria. I loved it. No air conditioning…flies flying all over me…and this guy at the counter chopping up more onions than I’d ever seen before in my life.
ok, i’m not crazy – there’s a huge bucket of onions outside this photo. i swear.
We ordered our tacos [sans beer…i was working, after all] – he ordered 2…so I felt like I had to order 2 [that’s snack for me]. After my first bite, my head snapped up, i looked across the room to the taco man seen above and held 2 fingers up and said, “dos mas, por favor!” It was juicy, flavorful, and the tortillas had just the right consistency – not too grainy, not too dry…just perfect. I was one happy chica. Needless to say, my handlers were quite shocked that a gentle lady, such as myself, could down so many tacos in one sitting. I decided not to scare them with another 2…besides, i was still supposed to have dinner in a couple of hours at a few restaurants. Need to save my appetite!
Taqueria: Billy the Kid
Calle 4 and 15th Ave
Playa del Carmen, Mexico
{ 3 comments… read them below or add one }
i'm so jealous reading this…
it was really, really good! wish I could have some more!! 🙁
I love good tacos. Working in East LA has its advantages. But I've become really picky. If it isn't authentic, then it sucks. I can take you to many hole in the wall places in East LA. LOL.