Sunday, February 13, 2011

Huevos Rancheros

"I am not a good American...I prefer to form my own opinions" - George Carlin

Having traveled extensively in Mexico many years ago, I am truly glad that Mexican cusine has finally moved farther north than the border states. Here in Nebraska, really good Mexican restaurants and food stores abound. I am one happy gringo.

My family and I especially love those great Mexican breakfasts, such as Huevos Rancheros and Huevos Mexicana. Almost every Saturday morning we go to our favorite, El Chaparro (little dwarf...little hat, I'm not sure) and have breakfast. We like the food, the owners and the prices of this place. It is good, down home Mexican. It's modest and you know it's authentic when most of the clientele is Latino.

Just thought I'd try to capture a little of the "flavor" (intended) of El Chaparro with this very short video...hope you like it.

26 comments:

intelliwench said...

¡Espero que tu no tenga un revolución en tu estómago!

jadedj said...

intellea---No, senorita...muy probablemente un revolución en mi bungo holeo!

Debra She Who Seeks said...

On a cold Nebraska morning, you NEED something spicy and caliente to warm you up! Great little video.

jadedj said...

DSWS---Oh no, read this and weep up there in your Canadian refrigerator. Last Monday and Tuesday, the temp was in the minuses in the morning, and highs in the one digits. Today...72 degrees (F)! And...this weather supposedly is going to hold for almost two weeks!

Sorry, that was cruel wasn't it...especially after the very kind comment about the video.

It feels like the Twilight Zone...mid-February...no coat...windows open. It must be the end times...nah.

MRMacrum said...

Huevos Rancheros! Probably one of the two things I loved about driving a truck out of Dallas back in the 1970s. Nothing cured a hangover better than Huevos Rancheros and a couple of tequila chasers. The only other thing I loved about Dallas was leaving there a few years later.

And probably the only thing I don't like about Maine is the lack of real ethnic cuisines. All we really have are chain joints.

jadedj said...

MRM---Oh yeah, I know what you're talking about with the chain joints. Places like Taco Bell (70% cardboard in their beef tacos!) and my favorite hate chain, Carlos O'Kelly's. A corporate gringo's idea of Mexican cuisine, at exorbitant prices and watered-down tequila...tea bagging Amuricu keeps it in business I suspect.

I LOVE TEQUILA, but I should probably do a post about my defining moment of tequila experience down in Baja, a little north of Ensenada, whence I almost fell off a cliff into the Pacific. Another day.

Punch said...

I wish I could speak spanish. I love the food, just sound like a gringo when ordering. OH! I am a gringo. Nice little slice of life.

jadedj said...

Punch---It's no problemo el palo. Just add an "o", or an "a" to whatever, and you areo speakingo el Spanisheo. See? Amuricu is a greato countryo, is it noto?

Danke (fur dem schlice ding)...ya ya si si.

yellowdoggranny said...

I'm having huevos rancheros manana...but I'm having mine with green salsa...I looove green salsa.

jadedj said...

YD G---Wid ya!

Chimp said...

Geat video, JJ!!! My first experience with these HOT eggs was in Mexico City. We were in a group of Americans and we all sent our breakfast back. NOW, I LOVE THEM!!!

Chimp said...

"Preparacion H" doesn't even help.

Kulkuri said...

Mexican is the new Chinese. Used to be you were never too far from a Chinese restaurant, if there wasn't one in your town, there was one in the next town. Now it's Mexican. Omaha has some good Mexican restaurants, especially in South Omaha.

Nan said...

Best Mexican food I found in Nebraska was practically spitting distance from the penis of the prairie (aka the state capitol building) in Lincoln and was, IIRC, called El Chaparro. By any chance, is it the same place you're praising?

Tom Harper said...

I always thought huevos rancheros was one of those phony "Mexican" dishes, invented in the U.S. but pretending to be Mexican. Like chop suey and sweet & sour pork not really being Chinese, pizza being invented in New York (or was it New Haven?).

But I still like it.

jadedj said...

Chimp---I never had that problem, I loved from the first.

Kulkuri---That is true. There a lot of really good Mexican Restaurants even in small town Nebraska. Which also points to just how many Mexicans have immigrated this far north. A good thing as far as I am concerned.

Nan---Har har har, you must be a native Nebraskan, or at least spent some serious time here. Not too many outlanders know what we call the state capitol...deservedly.

Yes, these are the same folks. The restaurant we frequent is their second one, on North 48th. They are both outstanding.

jadedj said...

Tom---I do know that the Chinese do not serve Chop Suey in China, my brother lives with a transplanted Chinese lady. Pretty sure Huevos Rancheros are of Mexican origin. It is served throughout Mexico.

Yep, just checked it on Google...it is.

Mr. Charleston said...

I'ma lika di Mexicana fooda meself. But I'ma no finda Mexicana food a lika what cha git inna Mehico. Alla I canna git isa TexiMex. Slop covered ina cheesa. Excepta one a fine a place a herea calleda Cantina Laredo. Pricy buta ohhh sooo gooda.

See Punch. Just follow JJ's advice a anda you a be speaking wetback in no time.

jadedj said...

Mr. C---What's with the Italiano accent? This post is about Mexican fare. Capice?

Punch said...

Mistera Jadedja anda Mistera Charlesatona, I tella youa whata!! I'da rathera starvea to deatha, whilea bussina tablesa, ina finea Mexicana el restaurante, thana bea seena witha youa twoa jerksa.
Boya Howdya!

Punch said...

I'mo speako theo wrongo languago. BoyO youo Guyso are a realo peiceo worko.

OhO nevero mindo.

jadedj said...

El Puncho---See, now he's got you doing it. BTW, how is the pope doing these days?

Leslie Parsley said...

I love authentic Mexican food. Sadly, too many restaurants actually owned by Mexicans try to Americanize it down to a bland rendition. Spicey doesn't always signify hot but well seasoned. In other words, it isn't so hot you can't taste the different flavor.

If I ever travel through Lincoln I'll follow my nose to El Chaparro and feast my lil' ole heart out.

jadedj said...

tnlib---Actually, authentic Mexican gives you, the eater the option by serving the spices (chilis, sauces, etc), on the side.

If you pass through, do try to eat at El Chaparro...I am sure you will not be disappointed.

Kulkuri said...

In '87 I had huevos rancheros at a flea market in Fresno's Chinatown. No Chinese left there, but it is still called Chinatown.

jadedj said...

Kulkuri---Makes sense.