I like fish tacos. Because Boy #1 has a fish allergy, we don’t have them at home, but when fish tacos are an option at at restaurant I’m likely to order them. While attending grad school in Boulder, Colorado a favorite, cheap place to eat was Wahoo’s Fish Taco so I frequently got my fix. Wahoo’s was sadly missed after moving to Portland, Oregon, but I still managed to find fishy taco goodness in various other places. Then Allan’s Authentic Mexican Restaurant opened up nearby and that changed everything.
One thing I like about working from home is that I’m able to have mini lunch dates with my wife. Even if I just pop out from my home office for 15 minutes, it’s always pleasant to sit, eat, talk, and just spend time with her. For one such date, in 2009 I think, my wife decided to try out the close, new restaurant. Knowing my proclivity for fish tacos, she got two take out orders and brought them home. The verdict: Allan’s fish tacos are so good.
It’s been a few years. I still occasionally order fish tacos at other restaurants. Good fish tacos at good restaurants. Fish tacos of which I can think of no complaint. There is no reason why I shouldn’t be completely satisfied with my choice, and yet there is always the nagging thought in the back of my mind that the fish tacos just weren’t as good as what I would have gotten at Allan’s.
It gets worse. Because Allan’s has such wonderful fish tacos and is so convenient, eating at Allan’s or getting takeout is not something that would be considered atypical. Some people say that Allan’s offers various splendid choices, but I wouldn’t know. I always get the fish tacos. I sometimes look at the menu and make a pretense of trying something new, but it doesn’t happen. Sometimes I have tilapia instead of salmon on the tacos, or pinto beans instead of black beans on the side, but I always get fish tacos. Were I to do otherwise would just lead to further disappointment: either disappointment for not ordering fish tacos and getting something I like less, or disappointment of getting something even better and then never getting fish tacos again.
So now fish tacos are mostly ruined for me. If I order them anywhere but Allan’s, I’m filled but not fulfilled. When I go to Allan’s, I must order the fish tacos. So thank you, Allan’s, for mostly ruining fish tacos for me.
