I grew up in a small town in South Texas. Mexican food or Tex-Mex, as most would call the style of food was a staple in our diet. And it is good food.
There are numerous very delicious restaurants serving up excellent Mexican food in Uvalde. But there is only one Vasquez restaurant. It’s a family business which began way back. Henry Vasquez was a special kind of guy. He had a big personality. Not loud but engaging, and passionately shared his “home” with all.
You’ve probably never experienced any other place quite like Vasquez. The atmosphere was very basic and very old, and dark… I don’t think anyone cared because the food was so good. Those enchiladas and those nachos. Legendary to say the least.
Anyway, in late 2018, I had the pleasure of eating at Vasquez with my mom. We had a lovely chat with Henry, because, as usual, he came and sat for a spell. Our conversation varied but his heart health was discussed. He knew he was on borrowed time but also realized that he had had a great run. He was happy. It is such a wonderful memory. Truly touching.
Less than two weeks later, Henry passed on to the the great land.
Here is where the new story begins. His son has orchestrated a rebirth of the Vasquez restaurant. He and his wife have done a remarkable job of a significant remodel and rebuild of the Vasquez Restaurant. Rumor suggests an open date is very near.
I need those enchiladas. You really have no idea how true that statement is. I cannot imagine a greater need for a fix like my need for those enchiladas. The recipe has long been discussed around town as it apparently was a secret which many wanted to know.
The secret is hopefully a secret that got passed down to someone else because that recipe cannot pass with Henry. I’m okay with a secret, even though I badly want the recipe, as long as I can get some of those enchiladas again.
Here is the $1000 deal. Air fare is about $650, rental car about $150, and miscellaneous stuff will easily make up the rest.
I used to fly planes. There was this old saying about the $100 hamburger. What a load of underestimating that was. To fly for a burger easily topped $350. So there becomes the justification to go for $1000 enchiladas.
Seriously though. I proposed to my Step Mom that she buy me a dozen enchiladas, pack them well with some dry ice and overnight them to me. I of course would pay. Her reply was “nope, you have to come get them.”
Ok, so a trip is in the works. Life requires us to do our best to fulfill our needs the best way we can. Sacrifices and decisions are the balance. I need those enchiladas, as we all should. I’m hoping that the recipe is back in action. Authentic, exactly as before, which was life changing and the fundamental benchmark of enchiladas to a lot of people.
Finally, here’s the real benefit. I spend $1000 to go eat enchiladas. Ok, that’s an excess. However, consider that I will get to spend time with some super special friends and my super special family during the same trip. So I just amortized those $1000 enchiladas into a super deal….