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See every cheap (but tremendously tasty) mexican food taco truck or stand! I personally have noticed an "uncanny valley" of restaurants, where I'd much rather

See every cheap (but tremendously tasty) mexican food taco truck or stand! I personally have noticed an "uncanny valley" of restaurants, where I'd much rather eat cheaply (see Chick-fil-a, taco trucks, local pizza shops, or a lot of Asian spots) or expensively (locally renowned restaurants) and ignore most everything in between. It's hard to pay 25 dollars for an meal when it's going to be good but nothing special, when you could pay ~15 for something you'd enjoy just as much. The higher end resturants provide the "novel" experiences and flavors that make spending $35+ worth it.

benjohnson 5y ago
Agreed! This quote from Noel Coward springs to mind: "I'll go through life either first class or third, but never in second."
openthc 5y ago
I went to Ontario (California) for a consult gig. My host asked what I wanted for dinner and I suggested tacos. So he took me to some mall, with the fanciest Mexican resturant I've ever seen -- and all these really cool looking people in the outdoor seating, with fancy drinks. I said: "Ali, fuck this place. let me try" -- then we poped to this place: Fredy's Tacos (https://www.yelp.com/biz/fredys-tacos-restaurant-ontario https://www.yelp.com/biz/fredys-tacos-restaurant-ontario). My guy was a little nervous to get in there. Tacos == BOMB!; Tortas == AMAZING!!! And the beers (Pacifico) were in a cooler outside the counter area, so when I said "un otro" the cook (Fredy?) just pointed like "get it yourself". `11/10 experience, muy authentico
- kingsuper20 5y ago
  >I went to Ontario (California) for a consult gig. When I was forced to travel for work now and again, my instincts were always to find a bar with a decent food menu. It's usually as good (better?) plus it was easier to buy a properly sized meal without all the extra filler. Also, extra bonus points for things that are a hassle to make at home (typically sushi). Restaurants lose their sparkle as you age. The Sysco truck goes to practically all of them anyway. There's something to be said for the super old school diners (typically Mexican restaurants in the places I grew up in), but those are towns that scarcely any HN readers would have wandered into.
- pvaldes 5y ago
  > when I said "un otro" just pointed like "get it yourself" I can understand why. Next time don't use that, is incorrect (would translate as a strange "an, other"). The correct way would be either just "otra" (another) or "una más" (one more), generally followed by a casual "por favor". Take in mind that beer is feminine in spanish so you have to use "otra" (not "otro"). Many other alcoholic drinks are masculine, but are often served in a coup or bottle, that are feminine nouns. You can ask for "otro vino" or "un vino" but "una copa de vino" (a glass of wine) is also common. To use "un más" instead the correct "uno más" (one more) would be also a common mistake.
  - openthc 5y ago
    gracias por la ayuda! (and forgive spelling). Spanish is not my first language, I learned by ear only -- and I cannot spell (english or spanish) well -- so while I wrote "un otro" in text, I'm pretty sure I've been pronouncing "otra" this whole time (even when I should have used the masculine) -- and I put "por favor" on everything (when speaking) -- Fredy likey heard "un otra por favor" from me -- and I was just enjoying a place that was as casual/comfortable/delicious as places a little further south (all while watching my more up-scale compantion squirm a little).
chiph 5y ago
One of my favorite Mexican restaurants in Austin is just a walk up window with anti-theft bars on it: https://goo.gl/maps/dDpAuAfpW41BANxS9 https://goo.gl/maps/dDpAuAfpW41BANxS9

benjohnson 5y ago

Agreed! This quote from Noel Coward springs to mind: "I'll go through life either first class or third, but never in second."

openthc 5y ago

I went to Ontario (California) for a consult gig. My host asked what I wanted for dinner and I suggested tacos. So he took me to some mall, with the fanciest Mexican resturant I've ever seen -- and all these really cool looking people in the outdoor seating, with fancy drinks. I said: "Ali, fuck this place. let me try" -- then we poped to this place: Fredy's Tacos (https://www.yelp.com/biz/fredys-tacos-restaurant-ontario https://www.yelp.com/biz/fredys-tacos-restaurant-ontario). My guy was a little nervous to get in there. Tacos == BOMB!; Tortas == AMAZING!!! And the beers (Pacifico) were in a cooler outside the counter area, so when I said "un otro" the cook (Fredy?) just pointed like "get it yourself". `11/10 experience, muy authentico

kingsuper20 5y ago
>I went to Ontario (California) for a consult gig. When I was forced to travel for work now and again, my instincts were always to find a bar with a decent food menu. It's usually as good (better?) plus it was easier to buy a properly sized meal without all the extra filler. Also, extra bonus points for things that are a hassle to make at home (typically sushi). Restaurants lose their sparkle as you age. The Sysco truck goes to practically all of them anyway. There's something to be said for the super old school diners (typically Mexican restaurants in the places I grew up in), but those are towns that scarcely any HN readers would have wandered into.
pvaldes 5y ago
> when I said "un otro" just pointed like "get it yourself" I can understand why. Next time don't use that, is incorrect (would translate as a strange "an, other"). The correct way would be either just "otra" (another) or "una más" (one more), generally followed by a casual "por favor". Take in mind that beer is feminine in spanish so you have to use "otra" (not "otro"). Many other alcoholic drinks are masculine, but are often served in a coup or bottle, that are feminine nouns. You can ask for "otro vino" or "un vino" but "una copa de vino" (a glass of wine) is also common. To use "un más" instead the correct "uno más" (one more) would be also a common mistake.
- openthc 5y ago
  gracias por la ayuda! (and forgive spelling). Spanish is not my first language, I learned by ear only -- and I cannot spell (english or spanish) well -- so while I wrote "un otro" in text, I'm pretty sure I've been pronouncing "otra" this whole time (even when I should have used the masculine) -- and I put "por favor" on everything (when speaking) -- Fredy likey heard "un otra por favor" from me -- and I was just enjoying a place that was as casual/comfortable/delicious as places a little further south (all while watching my more up-scale compantion squirm a little).

chiph 5y ago

One of my favorite Mexican restaurants in Austin is just a walk up window with anti-theft bars on it: https://goo.gl/maps/dDpAuAfpW41BANxS9 https://goo.gl/maps/dDpAuAfpW41BANxS9