I started to wonder what in my life have I been the most consistent and loyal about? What holds my heart and occupies my mind more than anything else? My wife? My children? My dedication to a better world? Don’t be silly; it is obviously my love of food. Availability of great food is the key indicator of how I feel about a new place. And let’s cut to the chase: tacos are the king of food.

Do not get me wrong, I am not a discriminatory food lover. I also am open to any petitions you are willing to submit in the defense of the food of your choice (please also submit to me samples of said petition food so I can judge). I just cannot think of anything better than a long day ending with a plate of fresh tortillas covered in perfectly spiced meat, fresh salsa, onions and cilantro, and the all-important keystone piece: a squeeze of lime. It hits all of the flavors I want in a meal. Not to mention the plate you are looking at cost me under two dollars. I would have happily paid fifteen.

Yeah, yeah… I hear you. “What about burritos? What about pizza?” Well first of all, I am going to have to point you to the previous paragraph and I am going to need you to submit a sample for analysis. And second, I think the taco still wins, solely based on the fact that they are small; not only can you eat 6 of them, they can all be of a different variety. Two carnitas, two al pastor, and two chicken? Why not! Fish, shrimp, pork, beef, chicken, octopus, tongue, tripe, other exotic headmeats? I have loved them all. And I have had them on the same plate in one meal in a stunning mix of combinations, checkmate burrito. Checkmate pizza.

Now obviously there is a downside. That downside is the taco imposter. The preformed, precooked taco shell containing some bland ground beef conglomeration with shredded cellulose-caked cheddar on top. The unripe tomato cubes accompanying shredded “lettuce”, pretending to impart anything of value. Black olives and refried beans as unwelcome guests, souring the party with their poor attitudes. The taco imposter is a sly demon, cunning and wise; and that fact has allowed its survival since the dawn of taco-history. Have I personally made this exact thing for dinner before? Absolutely. And I enjoyed it as I was eating it (like a fool). But I have since learned the ways of true happiness.

The way is that of the street taco.