Man, today was wild. Woke up craving something spicy, you know how it hits sometimes? Stomach growling like crazy, thought about cooking but nah – too lazy. Remembered that Taos Oriental spot everyone keeps yapping about downtown. Said screw it, grabbed my keys and just drove.
The Hunt Begins
Took me forever finding parking! Circled the block three times sweating buckets. Finally squeezed into a tight spot, pretty sure I scratched a rim. Whatever, my stomach was calling the shots. Walked in and BAM – that smell hit me right in the face. Spices, ginger, something smoky… like heaven but hungrier.
Place was packed wall-to-wall, lunch rush madness. Grabbed the first wobbly stool I saw at the counter. Waitress zoomed past me twice before I finally waved her down like a maniac.
Ordering Chaos & That First Bite
Menu was bigger than my phone bill – pictures everywhere. Panicked and just pointed at three random dishes people near me were scarfing down:
- That red bowl thing (later found out it’s called “Tsingtao Fire Noodles” or whatever)
- Sizzling meat platter on a hot iron plate
- Golden fried dumplings shaped like lil’ pillows
First forkful of noodles nearly blew my head off – spicy as hell, but in that good way where you can’t stop eating even with tears running down. Grabbed my water glass like a lifeline, gulping it down while reaching for more noodles like an idiot.
The Meat Drama
That sizzling platter arrived hissing louder than my cat when I try to pet his belly. Beef chunks, peppers, onions all jumping in a dark, sticky sauce. Took a bite and flavor explosion – sweet kinda like honey, then salty, then a heat kick sneaking up late. Texture? Perfect chewy. Soaked up the leftover sauce with noodle scraps like a savage.
Tried dunking the fried dumpling thingy in some vinegary sauce. Crispy outside gave way to scalding hot pork filling that almost burned my throat. Laughed at myself trying to fan my mouth open like a cartoon character. Worth it.
Karma Came For My Greed
Ate wayyy too fast. Stood up feeling like a stuffed turkey, belt digging in. Almost needed help walking to the register. Paid the bill while loosening my belt a notch right there at the counter. Got some judgmental looks. Don’t care. Food coma hit me hard driving home. Almost took a nap in the parking garage.
Final thought? If you go, wear elastic pants. Don’t be a hero. And get extra napkins – you’ll need ’em. Chopsticks optional, your dignity vs sticky rice bowls? Dignity always loses.
