Scribe-ls

Anyone who grew up in the Denver area knows Taco House.  I think we're down to two of 'em, south Federal near Alameda and north Wadsworth near Colfax.  If you grew up modestly, Taco House was a family night out.  We'd dress up a little bit and pile in the car to go to this 'real restaurant.'  The rule was:  if you're going where someone waits on you, you dress up and behave nicely. 

No matter that then as now, Taco House was completely lacking in pretention.  Hard floors, bare booths and tables, paper napkins, cheap flatware and plastic drinkware.  There might be a decoration or two, a sombrero and some maracas, on the wall, but no ferns or objets d'art.  What was there, though, were "people next door" types working and dining surounded by reassuring cleanliness.  A menu of what was then exotic Mexican dishes such as tamales, enchiladas, tacos and burritos rounded out with rice and beans came priced at levels even Dad could accept.  The food arrived hot, fresh and flavorful.  It was ever so slightly greasy and it was good, being not too spicy or too bland.  Best of all, the waitress was johnny-on-the spot with chips and hot sauce (this was pre-"salsa" days) and very attentive to every detail.  You could get a whole meal for a bargain  at $2.50. 

I stopped in recently at the Wadsworth location for a quick, very affordable bite that didn't come out of a fryer.  It hasn't changed a bit, except the meal with a small drink is now $5, and that is a good thing.  We don't need attitude or contrived ambiance every moment, with a price-tag to match.  Sometimes we just need to eat and to be and that is the feel there.  That is is why I love Taco House.