Viva La Santa Barbara!

Viva La FIESTA!!! 

Fiesta is a HUGE celebration in Santa Barbara the first weekend of August.  Everyone is out to celebrate Old Spanish Days! 

I started my fiesta Thursday granting Damian's wish at the PBR Show. 

Learn more about the Tri-Counties Make-A-Wish Chapter.

Friday I tried to stay out of the chaos, but Saturday to reward some studying I headed out De La Guerra Plaza for some great food and treats!

Chicken Tamales, Tri-Tip Tortas, Chicken Taquitos, and a little sweet treat funnel cake! (Didn't know that was spanish, but who cares.)

Confetti Galore! Gallon bag of confetti for $6, watch out visitors! Sorry, I'm not sorry, it was SO FREAKING FUN! 

Andrew, Bailey, and Phil... Covered in confetti and loaded up with another tray of confetti eggs! 

Taco Bell: Cantina vs. Original

I don't know about you, but I have one weakness... And that is Taco Bell!  I have been really good to try to avoid it and the joint right up the street closing has really helped me, but when you are on a long drive, that is the one stop that I am willing to take.

Taco Bell recently introduced an upscale type of food on their menu, Cantina Bell menu by chef Lorena Garcia.  This has been influence by restaurants like Chipotle and Baja Fresh.  The questions I asked myself are the Cantina Bell items tastier and really the better (healthier) decision?

So yes, they do have a burrito bowl, but when I am at Taco Bell I don't want a burrito bowl, I want a burrito.  So lets compare:

Cantina Menu: 

Chicken Cantina Burrito

Side of Guacamole & Chips

 

My Normal Order: 

Chicken Burrito

Bean & Cheese

Nachos (Chips & Cheese)

  

Taste: 

Yes, the Cantina burrito has tomatoes, corn, and black beans, which is "fresh" and good, but unfortunately didn't give me that Taco Bell satisfaction... I come to Taco Bell for the real stuff, their beans and cheese, nacho cheese! 

Nutrition: 

Both meals are almost the same when you compare the nutritional facts.  Where one is a little higher in one thing, it is a little lower than the other in another and without having a degree in nutrition it isn't obvious to me one is so much better than the other.  I say, go to Taco Bell for the Taco Bell foods you love.  Sorry Cantina Menu, I will not be coming back.  

Chimi, chimi, changa!

Have you ever had that one taste of something and ever since then you have been chasing that same feeling of deliciousness you first had?

Well I have, and mine started one evening at dinner with Andrew. Andrew is an accountant and during busy season we cherish what ever time we can get together. Last year in February he asked me to join him for dinner at the little Mexican restaurant next to his office, La Playa Azul Cafe. I actually have no idea what I ordered, obviously it wasn't memorable probably something healthy and tasteless, but Andrew ordered a Chimichanga and oh boy I have been thinking about it ever since. He offered me a bite, I hesitated, but said yes and the moment the crispy flaky flour tortilla encasing the perfect combination of cheese, shredded chicken, rice, re-fried beans, sour cream, and guacamole hit my mouth, as Judy Joo would say on Next Iron Chef, I had a food-gasm. Yes I know this isn't anything fancy like what they have on Next Iron Chef, but this hit the spot and I haven't forgot it.

Since this day I have been in a personal battle with myself every time I go to a Mexican restaurant. Do I get the Chimichanga or go healthy? Healthy always wins, except for today.

Today, I woke up in downtown Long Beach after visiting a friend for the night. Right across the street was SuperMex. The moment I knew we were going to Mexican I made a mental decision, I want that chimichanga. About an hour later I sat there at the bar with the Laker game on, 3 friends and the holy grail of fried burritos in front of me. This was no La Playa Azul chimichanga, but it hit the spot. My craving has been satisfied. Period.