Dear Rubio’s: Why must you torture me?

bloodyvalentinetaco.jpgForest and I went to check out the remake of My Bloody Valentine. I give it a solid A, not expecting the story line or casting to be top notch, which it wasn’t. It was good, just not great. Its positive grade reflected upon the fact that, to me, it achieved its primary goal of being a 3D movie filled with fun, camp and gore. It achieved that nicely. My buddy, however, expected more, highlighting that the cheesy pretty actors had no business being in a real horror movie. This is one of those rare times that we are both right. All I wanted out of it was a decent story that strayed far enough from the original. As long as the effects were good, I was happy.

We did not agree on the deliciousness of the pre-movie meal, which was a trip to the Rubio’s that lives in the bowels of the mall. This being near BWHQ, and as a San Diego native, I am quite familiar with the chain. Forest, somehow, entered blind. He played it safe by ordering chicken tacos. He later blamed me for not telling him Rubio’s was about the fish, a detail that may or may not be true. Either way, he enjoyed his tacos and was quite satisfied.

I was not.

I know damn well what ‘three rolled tacos with guacamole’ can ultimately be. Done right, the cheese sticks to the guacamole, which sticks to the rolled taco which forms a crunchy, creamy base upon which to pour liberal amounts of hot sauce. Unfortunately, this meal was not done properly. The rolled tacos had but a sprinkling of cheese, less than even in the photo above, which was from a previous visit. The guacamole didn’t last as long as the rolled tacos. The overall taste was good, but sadly I am reminded that true rolled tacos are still not available in this town.

I have an on again/off again relationship with Rubio’s, but that is more due to the side effects of their becoming a mall chain. Being the only game in town serving up SD style Mexican food, I have little choice but to accept Rubio’s shortcomings. After all, they do get some things right; it’s not like the food is bad. However, their expansion has unearthed a lack of focus that ultimately reduces the overall experience. Like My Bloody Valentine, which had the novelty of 3D to support it, if it weren’t for Rubio’s San Diego heritage, it would be just another sub par offering.

The annual changing of the taqueria calendar

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Rolled-up tubes of time are scattered about San Francisco’s burrito shops every year starting in December. They go fast, and this past year was no exception. My first trip to the hot spots resulted in empty hands and disappointment until I popped my head into Can-Cun on Market Street. Only two remained, and I quickly grabbed one only to find out upon unfurling that the calendar would have been more appropriate on a votive candle. Nothing could be more disappointing than expecting to find a beautiful girl and instead unwrapping a nun. Luckily, a follow-up trip to the popular Mission Street location revealed the beauty you see above. That was a close one, Can-Cun, however consider redemption found.

I find it hard to complain about something received for free, but consider some of the other calendars out there. Aztec warriors in full headdress protecting their pyramids have always been a favorite motif. I’ve even heard of one such example complete with a flying UFO in the background. Way cooler than a picture of some saint and child. Even the kitty cat calendar Greg found would have been better.

Finding redemption in the taqueria isn’t really anything new to me. The beauty in Mexican food not only lies within the taste, but also in the celebration of life. The festive colors and spicy flavors are a reflection of the spirit. There’s always something new to try, and if a bad taste comes along, consider it a fluke and get on back out there. Much like this past year. And in at least one case, I expect to see a better year. Just ask the girl in the calendar, I’m sure she will agree.