Friday, May 18, 2007
Restaurants Food peeps: Lunch at Taqueria del Sol
Posted by Cliff Bostock @cliffbostock on Fri, May 18, 2007 at 10:03 PM
I eat lunch at Taqueria del Sol (2165 Cheshire Bridge Road, 404-321-1118), nee Sundown Cafe, at least once a week. I long ago gave up any hope of anonymity there, since I usually know someone at the bar, where I always eat.
Indeed, one of those I've often run into there is Nancy Roquemore, one of my editors years ago at the Atlanta Journal-Constitution and a freelance food writer in recent years. I learned today that Nancy, who was also a fixture at the Colonnade, died a few days ago. I extend my condolences to her family and friends.
Taqueria del Sol's feature attraction, after its terrific, inexpensive food, is manager George Trusler, long called the "Taco Nazi" (after the "Soup Nazi" of "Seinfeld" fame). George (pictured here in the striped shirt) earned the nickname for his sometimes abrupt manner when confronted with rudeness or a failure to honor restaurant rules. I suggest, for example, that you not approach him while talking on your cell phone.
I asked George a few questions today:
What's your favorite food?
Tacos, of course. After that, I like the Southern cooking I grew up with. I like chicken-fried steak — not country-fried steak — for example.
That's a Texas dish, not a Southern dish.
Whatever. Texas is on the southern part of the map.
What's your favorite restaurant besides this one?
The Colonnade.
Who started calling you the "Taco Nazi"? Does it hurt your feelings?
I don't remember who started it, but I consider it a compliment. I'm just trying to enforce the rules.
Yes, but don't you get too much pleasure from enforcing the rules?
No.
What's your favorite dish here?
The Pescado Sundown — our blue-cornmeal-breaded tilapia with coleslaw and rice.
Another TDS regular is David Baumgarten (shown here exhibiting his teeth). David and his wife are pregnant with their first child. David is a paper-clip magnate, musician, life coach and Porsche-driver.
Your favorite food?
Mangoes.
Your favorite restaurant meal ever?
Breakfast at the Splugenschloss Hotel in Zurich. They had breads from all over Europe, fruits from all over the world. It was amazing.
The Swiss need to laugh more.
You need to work on your anger.
Your favorite local dish?
I really love the arugula salad at Osteria 832. I also like Figo a lot.
Lucky for David, Figo (1021 Virginia Ave., 404-817-7728) has opened yet another restaurant in the former Pad Thai location in Virginia-Highland. That's five Figos in town now.
As for my own favorites at TDS, they are tacos made with carnitas and brisket. I also like the enchiladas, filled with brisket, and topped with the salsa verde (not the green pork chili). My favorite dessert is the high-quality fat. You'll have to ask at the bar to learn what it is.
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