HUNGRY GERALD

Yesterday,HG and Beautiful Sharon exit for gas and food at Holbrook, Arizona.  Peckish.   Signs indicate two food choices: Denny’s and Subway. Understandably glum HG and BS head for Subway. Spot a roadside joint that proclaims: Alberto’s–Menudo Served All Day. Hmm! Menudo is a good indicator of soulful Mexican food. Are served some splendid chicken enchiladas (juicy, chunky chicken…not shredded glop). Pleasant red chile sauce. Grated cheese (not cheese “product”). Shredded lettuce.  A side of home made guacamole.   Tomatillo salsa.  Pickled carrot and onion salad (a tasty find..HG never encountered it before). Washed down with really good horchata (Mexican rice drink…much better than it sounds) and fine Mexican pineapple juice drink. A happy meal. Reminds HG and BS of serendipitous meal Famille Freeman had some years ago in Phoenix. Booked for Easter vacation skiing in Colorado, Famille Freeman switched to a Phoenix condo resort when warm weather decimated the Colorado slopes. Ten days of tennis and swimming under the blazing Arizona sun. Nightly dinner was chimichangas and other goodies plus pitchers of margaritas at a Mexican bistro with a long waiting line. Last night in Phoenix. Famished Famille Freeman arrive at the bistro and are informed: Two hour wait for a table. Aargh!! Into the auto and try a steak house, Italian restaurant, Benihana, etc., etc. No room at the inn. Finally BS spots the forlorn Golden Phoenix, a Chinese place with a flaking stucco exterior and few cars in the lot. Bad sign. Hearts sink.  But, no choice. HG tells the manager: “We are in your gracious hands. We have been eating in New York’s Chinatown for 50 years. We love real Chinese food. Just serve us a meal of food that you like to eat when the restaurant is empty of tourists. And, lots of ice cold beer, please.” Wow. Coors in frosty glasses. Duck. Shrimp. Pork. Noodles. A really memorable feast. Serendipity, indeed.  Kowtow to the Celestial Kingdom

§ 3 Responses to Arizona Serendipity"

• Jeremy says:

  January 18, 2011 at 2:01 pm

  That was a very memorable meal…I actually remember writing Calvin Trillin a letter about it!

  Reply
• Karyl Dantonio says:

  February 10, 2011 at 6:44 am

  I found your blog on yahoo. I think it’s awesome.

  Reply
  • Gerry says:

    February 12, 2011 at 3:41 am

    Thanks. And tell your friends.

    Reply