The Mesquite Online News - Texas A&M University-San Antonio

Blessing In a Tortilla

By Anaiah V. Liserio

Photo of Tacos Al Pastor taken by Sarah Ortiz

The open air was filled with the smell of exhaust, the sound of  humming generators and sizzling carnitas.The trucks were burning with hot stoves, seasoned carne and warm corn tortillas.

I was determined to try this small heavenly delicacy, even if it took all night. It did.

Into the first hour of arriving on the grounds at the VFW Post 76, I made it my mission to seek and devour as many tacos as I could from our beloved taco trucks. I was not, however, prepared for the many San Antonians who also had the same agenda. So I did the only thing there was to do next. I asked other people how the food tasted.

“It was like a kiss of sweetness,” said Miguel Manjarrez of the tacos al pastor made by the winning champion, Chela’s Tacos.

“Whammy,” said John Ratliff. “I don’t know the name of that taco truck down there, but it was tasty.”

After conversing with many others who had waited the long wait for their samples, it was time to wait for mine.

It’s amazing how many adjectives creep up your nose when you’re in line for 30 minutes. It was like the aroma was calling out to me. At 5′, I could barely see pass the ordering booth, but I could smell the onions being grilled, the citrus sprits of sliced lime, fresh green cilantro and the salty seasoning of carne asada over an open flame.

The final moment came as the cook handed me three savory tacos, beautifully placed on a flimsy paper plate. My first thought was to handle with care.

It was like nothing I had ever tasted before. The sauteed onions dominated my mouth, the carnita and cilantro joined forces and hit a goal striaght to my alma. It was like fiesta on a plate. I was convinced this was a blessing in a tortilla.

By the end of the evening my taste buds were dancing with joy. As I left the grounds I smiled as the warm Texas air blew me a goodbye kiss. It smelled like exhaust and carnita.

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