Jumbo Margaritas, Cafe El Tapatio, West Lakeview, Chicago
Late in the day, I went to the restroom and noticed a nice big hole in the butt/crotch area of my favorite pants that I was wearing. I was devastated but at the same time relieved. These are black slacks that I can throw on with anything. They can be dressed up, they can be dressed down. And they’re so comfortable. I started thinking about when I got them and realized that I bought them in California at least 3 years ago. They were a gift from an ex who had bought me a gift certificate for Express. Express pants obviously don’t last forever. About 5 months ago the hem fell out of these pants and I safety pinned it back in so I could keep wearing them. It was time to let them go, but I wouldn’t. Now I will for sure.
Ten minutes later I put my favorite winter wool coat on and headed for the door. At the door, my coat got tangled into the handle and the bottom button went flying off. My favorite coat is now wrecked along with my favorite pants. This is a coat I got at a JCrew warehouse sale out in the middle of the summer out in Cape Cod in 2002. I know I can put a button back on, but when I started thinking about it I realized that I’ve been wearing this coat every day of the winter for 2 winters. The lining is ripping in it and next year I should probably get a new winter coat.
Kristin’s response: To take me to her favorite Mexican hole in the wall, Cafe El Tapatio, order jumbo margaritas, and say “We need to go shopping, girl!” The food at Cafe El Tapatio was delicious.. even more tasty and authentic than the TexMex I’d just had in Texas.
Happy St.-Patrick’s Day, to all off You, even those without pants! (maybe even especially those without pants!)
I’m having plans for a great night out.
next year? you’ll need your winter coat until april in chicago, so you better get another one soon!
Chicago has better mex food than Texas? wtf?
No, really. The mex food here in TX is some goofy amalgamation of what people *think* mex food should be. Every menu is the same, just a more expensive version of Taco Bell.
Joe is right, if you go to most of the “Tex-Mex” restaurants found in any Main street area, or shopping area, what you are getting is a dolled up version of Taco Bell. Here, in Texas the best restaurants are off the beaten path, not by some shopping mall, and you know the restaurant is good if all of the locals eat there at lunch, meaning you have to get there by 11:30 or you’re left standing in line for an hour. Also, the best places, this is going to sound messed up, but it’s true, they are not always the most aesthically pleasing, but man is the food good!
Shopping is the cure for what usually ails.
When I’m doing my cross-country motorcycle trip this summer Chicago is one of the stops (early August I believe). I’m counting on knowing places to check out based on your posts about the city, not to put any pressure on you or anything. At some point, maybe there will be a request to hear Rachelle’s Best of Chicago list.