This was written, then the Madre's internet shat all over it, and it was lost...
Although I am extremely pleased with life back in the great state of Colorado, I have to admit that there are a few things that I miss about "America's Finest City." And most of those things are eateries/restaurants. (Well people too I suppose). You see it's not that I don't like to cook; I do, but for four years at school, many other things took precedence like practice, all-night talks with Kendra, rocking out in my room, hanging out with Eugene, etc. So here's a tribute to the fine places that kept me well fed.
1. The Caf: There's nothing like having a meal plan as a senior. I remember looking around the place as I set my tray down and realizing that I only knew a few of the patrons. There were very few of us who stayed loyal to the all-you-can eat wonder of the Caf for four straight years, but we happy few enjoyed the beauty of chicken finger night, Sunday Sundaes, tater barrels (not tots), and POG (old orange, middle pink, new orange). We ceaselessly hoped to get the "Deez Nuts" tray and the forks shaped like forks. We prayed for a shortage of mushrooms and an abundance of salutations from Oscar ("I'm hookin it up. I'm hookin it up."). The nights spent there with the team after practice allowed me to start my homework hours too late. Also, without the caf, we might not have recalled some of the best details of nights spent at Trey's apartment or in 1653A.
2. JV's: By the time second semester rolled around senior year, I was eating here three or four times a week...healthy. USD freshmen are routinely indoctrinated in the belief that if you want a great burrito, particularly after a rollicking good time at the beach around 2am, you head down Morena to Santana's. However, more and more students are joining the countercultural burrito revolution. Squeezed in between some bushes and a donut shop sits the home to the best burritos this side of TJ. As time went on, I began to see more and more hoodie clad USDers stroll in below the "5 Rolled Tacos" sign and take part in the delicious party. Kendra and I spent Sunday nights (and many others) at JV's with our vegetarian burritos and our cinnamon chips. It was at JV's in fact that we learned from the local news that the dean of our school of business had been caught in a coke deal. Awesome.
3. Le's: Just up Linda Vista is the key to great Vietnamese/Chinese/Thai food. Le's shares a building with YumYum Donuts in the Vien Dong parking lot, and despite the relatively slow service, it kept me nice and stuffed when I adventured with Kate to discuss books and culture and annoying people. Home to the best cream cheese wontons, Le's also provided me with the most cryptically hilarious fortune in the history of cookies: "When you squeeze an orange, orange juice comes out because that's what's inside."
4. La Paloma: Lunch at La Paloma (despite the atrocious service and disgusting long lines of stiletto clad Comm majors eating only the Spring Fling salad) fed me many times weekly for four years. Within just a few minutes of my second home (Science and Tech), I am not sure if I can count how many Bacon Turkey Bravos (no tomato, grilled and toasted) that I consumed in four years. The dining area is usually loud enough, so Joanna and I were able to talk crap about those students and professors who drove us nuts. Plus, the breakfast sandwiches are unbeatable. Booger and I would meet there before class twice a week, and we may have been Cristi and Candra to the morning workers, but the 2 on Honey Wheat will stay in my heart for good.
5. Boardwalk Bistro: If I decided to venture down to the beach for a quick bite in the morning, or if I was taking friends and family around SD, I made sure to bring them past the long lines and small portions of the Mission Cafe and sit them down at this place off of Santa Clara. Where else could I get the High Tide (pancakes, bacon, sausage, eggs, potatoes, toast, and fruit) for under $8? Tasty.
