Before and After

That was before.

This was after.

I absolutely friggin' love Celia's in Amarillo, Texas. I have no idea what they do that makes me love their food. Is it the best I've ever had? Probably not. Is it fancy? Nope. Is it magically delicious? Hell to the yes!

I do know they put oregano in their taco sauce, which to me looked like salsa, but either way was fantastic.

It's the kind of place that has regulars, it's the kind of place that if they say 20 minutes for take-out, it's 40, it's the kind of place that may get a demerit or two on their health inspection.

It's also the kind of place that doesn't make you feel bad for cleaning your plate. And that's my kind of place.

Celia's Cocina

2917 SW 6th Avenue

Amarillo, Texas 79106

806.322.0375

http://www.celiascocina.com/index.html

Expect Mole. Pagas Less.

What do you do when you want Mexican but don't want to get too far off the highway? Stop by a place next to a Target.

Azul Tequila has been around about 9 years, has an extensive tequila/margarita list, make 99% of the food from scratch (all except the flour tortillas - I asked) and are the only ones that make Chili Relleno en Almendra - poblano pepper stuffed with sauteed picadillo blended with almonds, raisins, tomatoes and onions topped with almond cream sauce - right... at least according to my waiter.

So one Mexican Martini later, I had a pretty good time. I want to go back. Maybe it didn't blow my mind, but it didn't blow my budget and it satisfied my craving.

And I need some things at Target.

Azul Tequila

4211 S. Lamar Blvd.

Austin, Texas 78704

512.416.9667

http://www.azultequila.com/index.php

3 out of 5 Maudie's agree - Update

We hit three out of the five Maudie's last night: Original for a margarita, Too for a margarita and queso and Hacienda for a margarita and dinner.

And that's where it went downhill.

Don't get me wrong. I LOVE Maudie's. We can live on their Diablo Sol Food (see entry of same name, August '09) and Hubby orders the Rockin' Ruthann's every. single. time. we go.

But I ordered the Tilapia Tacos (trying to balance out the queso and two... ok, three margaritas) and I was so, so very disappointed. Hubby said he should have warned me as he had ordered them once, but to go. He thought his frustration was with the technical challenge of eating fish tacos with chipotle sauce while driving was to blame. It wasn't. The flour tortillas were gummy (I prefer corn anyway) and the chipotle sauce was incredibly overwhelming. Why add tomatoes, avocado and cheese when you can't taste it? And why put cheese on a fish taco anyway?! I ate all of my black beans, they were yummy, and scraped all the sauce I could off the second taco... it didn't really help. Then I had two bites of Hubby's R.R. to satisfy my craving for good Tex-Mex, because what I had only made me feel a little sick.

So this is just a public service announcement... please go to Maudie's, but if your loved one is about to order the Tilapia Tacos in an effort to regain the figure that once captivated you, tell her that you love her just the way she is and to order the Mexican Special like a real woman.

Thank you for your support.

Maudie's

5 locations around town - soon to be 6!

http://www.maudies.com/

Diablo Sol Food

Cheese, glorious cheese!!!

Maudie's makes some damn fine queso. And my conclusion is not at all related to the two Mint Margaritas I had. Although they were damn fine as well.

How can this not be good?!

"A savory blend of melted cheese seasoned with flavors of fresh garlic, onions and peppers, combined with our tender taco beef and pico de gallo. In other words, queso with an attitude."

Come to Momma!

Maudie's

5 locations around Austin

http://www.maudies.com/