Carne Asada Fries (KAR-ney A-SA-DA Fryes) – Origin unknown, first served in the late 1990s. A native dish in San Diego, the base is Shoestring French Fries, stacked with Guacamole, Carne Asada, topped with Cheese. Variations of this dish include refried beans, Pico De Gallo, Sour Cream. Carne Asada Fries are Popular with high school youth, and 20-somethings coming from a night of fun.

Carne Asada Fries. Along with my family, it’s the only thing I truly miss about San Diego. Ever since I’ve moved up to the bay, I’ve been disappointed with the Mexican food. My fiance and myself would seek out places around the bay for this dish, and were hopeful with Milpitas, but were disappointed as they used the thicker French Fries.

But we're in Oklahoma.

So... we're driving yesterday to a restaurant and my eyes land on a taco shop. Usual standard facade: bright colors, boasting authentic Mexican cuisine BUT painted on the window was CARNE ASADA FRYES $4.50. $4.50! Back in the day it was that low, actually $4.00. I was obviously shocked and made it a point to Chris that this was to be our destination for lunch. So. It's about 2 o'clock in the afternoon and we make it to Rioberto's, and Rioberto is a mustached, sombrero rocking amigo offering a taco -- we head in, and this heavy white dude is sitting with his pot-belly staring at Chris and myself. Anxieties aside, I make my way to the counter and ask, "What's in your Carne Asada Fries?"

I asked just to make sure there ain't no beans in it -- and she says in her fresh Mexican accent, "Dere's fryes, Guacamole, Sour Cream, Cheese, Carne Asada..."

Perfect.

I wait for Chris and he asks if that's all I'm having - damn skippie it's all I'm having -- so he asks politely if he could try some, I say yes and he proceeds to place his order -- two lame chicken tacos. He orders a Sangria Soda, I get a small Horchata and we sit and await our order. We set up the camera obviously to record such a momentous event, when she says, "It's ready."

I hop to it, obtain the small half carton of a styrofoam treasure box - half, not the full that we're all familiar with - so that's one point off, but go figure right it was only $4.50...

I do a little strut on the way back to the table where Chris is recording and I give a little background to the mystere of Carne Asada Fries and I claim my expertise on it... I open it up and to my minor dismay they've used the big fries, not the small skinny ones - but it's got everything else!

The meat... on point. So I have some, and Chris has some -- and I eat and eat and eat.... and it's gone. All gone -- it was a lukewarm success, but that's another life experience I can add to eating Balut in the Philippines and streetside tacos outside of Ensenada - Carne Asada Fries in Tulsa, Oklahoma --- Go Globalism!

Labels: production, travel, updates