Do you have a special dish that is “The Usual” when you go out and eat? Is there something special that you order when you go to a particular restaurant?
Perhaps it is just the way that you like your eggs cooked.
I really love this picture of my Grandpa Yoder. He worked in many different restaurants through the years to help supplement his income while preaching. I am sure that he knew what many of his customers would order. Maybe he even started their order as soon as he saw them walk in the door of the restaurant.
Tonight was one of those nights for me. I visited a restaurant that I hadn’t been to for several years and ordered “The Usual.”
Years ago I would visit Anita’s Taqueria in Livermore at least once a week whenever I would travel out here to California to teach a class. Now that I live out here it is a bit out of the way and I seldom visit. However, when I do visit I order the Carne Adobada. The last time that I visited, which was a couple years ago, the waitress asked me if I wanted my usual. This was after not visiting for about four years. Unfortunately I will not be asked this question again as the waitress no longer works there.
For those of you not familiar with Mexican food, Carne Adobada is a Jalisco-Style Pork Tenderloin. It is marinated with chili powder and oregano and other spices. The other spices depend on the secret recipe that is being used.
For those of you from the Midwest, think of a spicy tender pork tenderloin without the breading. Then serve it over a bed of lettuce, tomato and avocado slices with creamy refried beans and rice on the side.
I did have a special reason for going to Anita’s Taqueria for dinner. I have a colleague visiting from Mexico City. I had promised to take him to an authentic Mexican restaurant when he visited our office. I knew that he would approve as I have performed this test several times in the past. Sure enough, he said that it was like eating at home.
So, if you are in Livermore, California and want some authentic Mexican food, you now know where to go.
Of course, I have my “Usual” at several other restaurants. Including some that are half-way around the World.
What is your “Usual” at your favorite restaurant?
Steven
Braman's Wanderings 
this is my usual at a japanese restaurant – raw squid marinated with blanched okra slices. a little different from yours – but aren’t usuals all the same in how they provide just that bit of comfort? great post!
I think that for most of us our usual is food that brings us comfort. I have my usual at Japanese restaurants too. My first choice is usually tonkatsu, but then I also like many other Japanese foods.
Our family are such creatures of habit that our “Usual” is sometimes ready for us before we order…at multiple restaurants.
Nice story Steve! Darrell and I are traveling more these days because of work. Sometimes with his schedule and sometimes with mine. We have a favorite restaurant in San Diego called Tender Greens. They serve fresh grilled meats and salads and roasted vegetables. It’s all very good and gets even better with perfect weather to always dine outside in San Diego!
You need to come further north in California :-).
I do have a usual, it’s burnt toast, easy butter. I used to go for coffee with a work friend twice a week to the same place. They knew me and my order since I was the only one to ever order it that way. I like it with grape jelly 😀
You can have your burnt toast :-). I like mine to have some color, but not blackened. If I use jelly or jam, I like strawberry.
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