So a couple nights ago I was watching No Reservations and Anthony Bourdain was in Mexico....Ahhh...the tacos, enchiladas and super fresh guac.....I so want to be there. We will be stopping in Cozumel on our cruise to panama, but that's still six whole weeks away!!! I was too hungry to wait so we went over to Leal's and had a little teaser.....brisket tacos are the bomb!!
So this week we also saw the rerun of the season opener for Man vs Food which featured Amarillo. One of the places, Coyote Bluff, has the Burger from Hell - a supposedly wicked hot burger. We'd never been there and Kevin really wanted to go, so he said he'd pay if we went. So last night we drove over to grand street. It took us a little while to find it as its very small. The parking lot (actually its dirt and potholes) was very small - and full of maybe 12 cars. We entered the restaurant (read SHACK) The decor looks very "found it on the side of the road" with rusted signs on the walls, an old bathtub in the middle of the floor filled with ice and beer and maybe 12 tables. They can't serve more than about 30-40 people at a time. all the tables and booths are a hodgepodge of diner chairs, cast off benches and things that seem to be nailed together from old crates While the tables are all odd size and several lean precariously - but they were all full of eager patrons. A very cozy atmosphere. I would estimate the square footage to be in the 400 foot range - TOTAL, including the kitchen.
We sat within about 6 feet of the back door - which is probably good since the front door was blocked by people waiting for us to eat faster so they could have a turn. If there had been a fire we'd probably have been the only ones to get out!
You might think that I'd be put off by this, but actually its was kinda cool. The menu is on a large chalk board (over the bathtub) and they only take cash and checks. some people may find that a bit backward, but its been my experience that a tiny restaurant that doesn't take debit cards means that their stuff is so good that you will pay cash or starve. That was true in the this case as well. We treated ourselves to a big plate of chili cheese fries which were great and then both had the much touted Burger from Hell. It tasted great! Although neither one of us thought it was all that hot. It had Japalenos and habaneros....but I really like habaneros...
Its funny when you sit in such a small joint in close proximity to other people - it almost feels like a family gathering as people ask how hot our burgers are and should they order one too. Its exactly the kind of place my dad would love and we'll have to take him next time he's here. We'll also have to bring some of our international clients there too and see how they respond. It should be a good laugh!
I would totally go there again but we have to quit watching TV....it just makes me hungry....
