Tuesday, April 22, 2008

Mighty Fine Food

Brad and I had a fun day in Seattle. The Ballad neighborhood has special meaning for Brad and I. We both served on the USCGC Fir which tied up behind the Chittingham Locks. The day started with us roaming the streets looking for a place to enjoy breakfast. Brad stopped in front of the Senor Moose http://SenorMoose.com and asked me how I felt about having Mexican food for breakfast. "I'm game." I knew this was going to be special the moment I stepped inside. We sat at the counter. The dining area was too far from the action.


The staff treated us like guests in their home, not customers. Even the cooks, who did not speak English, smiled and greeted us. The grill and surrounding equipment looked like it was from 1953, compete with hot grease stains. On the wall is a faded picture of the Madonna. Four clocks are on the wall, only one of them works. Two windows are broken. The wooden counter has dents from years of use. The business license hangs askew. A black t-shirt hangs on the wall. Pictured are five moose on stools at a bar. One moose has fallen backwards off his stool. It reads: Moose dropping.


Oh, and the food was as good as it looked. An egg scramble served with black beans. Tortillas kept warm on the side. I was immediately reminded of the small diners we have visited in rural Arizona. This is authentic food, not American Mexican food.


I did have a moment of disappointment. I realized this was going to be the best part of the day, and the day had just begun.

No comments: