Reasons to Stay Inside

I almost chose not to write this post about Fallout: New Vegas. Instead, I was going to play Fallout: New Vegas. But, I only have an hour before I have to go to work, and if you’ve ever gotten involved with a Fallout game, you will understand that an hour just isn’t enough time.

Thanks to Facebook, I know that on November 18th at 4:23pm (CT) I beat Fallout: New Vegas.
Thanks to Facebook, I know that I began playing Fallout: New Vegas at 1:09am (CT) on October 19th.
Thanks to Falllout: New Vegas’ shame building save structure, I know that I’ve spent…well…over 50 hours playing the game.
How do I feel?
Like I want to keep playing.

Sure, I’ve beaten the game, but I haven’t discovered all the locations yet, or collected 50 Sunset Sarsaparilla Bottle Caps, or had my karma sink below Good.

It’s a good thing that I have so many other things going on in my life otherwise I would feel much, much worse about myself AND I would have easily clocked twice the amount of hours.

I know that everyone is all up in Fallout’s grill about the load times, glitches, freezes, etc., but honestly, the game is so good that I’m willing to overlook many of the issues that I have encountered. Also, it makes me feel a little better to think that maybe some of my epic play time is due to watching that roulette wheel spin.

Also, have you played this board game Zombies? That shit is intense.


November 22, 2010 | | Tags: , | No Comments »

Pineda, Pineater

This review represents an All the Tacos I Have Loved first: a review based on a blog comment suggestion! (Thank you to the mysterious Eli from Minneapolis)

After a severe taco drought, I finally got back in the game and went out to get tacos. I was a taco predator, and they were my prey. Those tacos didn’t stand a chance…

I’ve got to admit, not having a car, finding new taco joints in and around Minneapolis is getting difficult. I’m going to need a taco buddy to chauffeur me around the Twin Cities in exchange for tacos, burritos, and perhaps a beer or two. Let’s call this position my “intern.” Should you find yourself interested in this opportunity, please let me know.

This week I took a trip to Pineda, a taco cafeteria in a cozy shopping center off of Lake St. and Hiawatha. It’s a perfect location for something delicious: it’s right next to the light rail station, directly off of the greenway, next to Savers, and across the street from the YWCA. Getting tacos? Fuck, go to Pineda and make a day of it!

Having said that about their location, I found their tacos to be a little pricey, and not excessively overwhelming in the deliciousness department. Having said THAT about their tacos, I believe that Pineda is better known for their burritos, which I have heard are “off the chain.”

What I did love about the tacos, the burritos, the quesadillas, and the whole shebang in general is that it’s set up like a low-key Chipotle. To order you must step up to the counter, choose your menu item, then choose the innards for your shell of choice by saying what you want directly to the person making your food. The options of innards are numerous, and all quite delicious looking (I asked for green pork and potatoes, but they didn’t have any, which was okay because it sounded too good to be true anyway).

For my big three I chose lengua, shredded pork, and chipotle chicken. All were satisfying, but none of them blew my skirt up. Although, I must admit that chipotle chicken in taco form is pretty darn all right.

In the end, I believe Pineda is best if you’re already in the neighborhood and need a quick taco fix. I’m going back to try their burritos, because a trusted source has really got me curious. I’ll get back to you.

In the meantime, please keep suggesting places in Minneapolis for me to acquire excellent tacos.

Pineda Tacos
311 E. Lake St.
Minneapolis, MN
55405

November 17, 2010 | | Tags: , , , , , , | 3 Comments »

Cali-Style Burrito Joint in Allentown

When I was growing up in the Lehigh Valley, my love of tacos evolved thusly: Mom’s Old El Paso Kit Dinners, Wendy’s Super Bar, Taco Bell, Don Pablo’s. Needless to say, it’s kind of a taco wasteland. Although all those things still hold a special place in my heart. In the years since I’ve moved from Pennsylvania, not much as changed. That’s why hearing about a new taco place opening up is big news. Cali Burrito bills itself as a California style burrito and taco joint. I had very low expectations going in. The restaurant is located on what must be a haunted indian burial ground because every business that moves in closes shortly thereafter. But as soon as I entered the door I was greeted with a very bright and inviting place.







They offer fish, beef, chicken, tofu and pork tacos. I chose the fish because I have a wild side and figured ordering fish in Allentown was the best way to exercise it. I was immediately put in my place but receiving 2 hot, crunchy fish fillets.



They serve all their tacos in hard shells wrapped with a soft shell. It’s the kind of thing that would be perfect at 2am but unfortunately Cali Burrito isn’t a late night place. Although their website does encourage people to BYOB.

Was it the best taco I’ve ever had? No. But was it a great place to hang and get something fun to eat? Absolutely, which makes it a welcome addition the Lehigh Valley (non) taco scene.

Cali Burrito
3104 Hamilton Blvd.
Allentown, PA 18103

November 15, 2010 | | Tags: , , | No Comments »

Super Tulcingo Galaxy 2

This post is way overdue. Partly because I don’t have anything to say. Tulcingo is just really good. It completes what is in my mind the trifecta of decent tacos in midtown. El Rey Del Sabor cart on 43rd, Tehuitzingo on 10th ave and Tulcingo down the street also on 10th. You can’t do any better than those three places in that part of town. Although hopefully, some reader will prove me wrong and point me in the direction of more midtown tacos.



Tulcingo’s al pastor is amazing. Their chorizo and egg are unmatched. The goat is moist and tender. Every taco is stuffed to the point where it can only be contained in a cone. They come in orders of two with a combo where you can add one extra. You can usually choose one of each but be warned, some can only be ordered in a pair. I still haven’t found out which ones they are. I believe chorizo and egg is one of them? I’m not sure but they’ll let you know when you order. They also have a variety of aguas. I chose watermelon but I wouldn’t recommend it unless you enjoy the sensation of drinking an entire watermelon in one glass.



Here’s All The Taco’s superfan, Jim, trying to decide what to get.

Tulcingo
665 10th Ave (at 47th St)
New York, NY 10036


If we’re on the subject of posts that are way overdue because there’s nothing to say than Super Mario Galaxy 2 fits right in. I started playing this game when it came out and then got sidetracked by other new releases. I recently picked it up again and it’s awesome. Nothing to get fanatical about but it’s unreal how much new stuff they packed into the levels while still keeping it exactly like Super Mario Galaxy 1. Basically, what you want a sequel to be. I think I’m going to have to put it down again for Black Ops but I’m glad it’s in my game library.

November 11, 2010 | | Tags: , , , , , , , | 1 Comment »

Korilla BBQ Surprise

I was fortunate enough to attend the 2010 Eater Awards last night at Public Restaurant in NYC. The place was packed with people but I was happy to make my way through the crowd sampling amazing dishes from some of the city’s best restaurants. Just when I thought I couldn’t eat any more pork buns or mini meat pies there was an announcement. The Korilla BBQ truck had pulled up outside and was about to bombard us with bulgogi tacos.



Now I had a dilemma. I was already stuffed with food but I had been dying to try out the Korilla truck since it opened last month. Do I take the free taco and risk ruining an otherwise perfect evening, all for the sake of this blog and my own personal taco lust?

The answer is of course, yes.



For a free taco made en masse at 11pm I was pleasantly surprised. The tacos were stuffed almost beyond capacity. The kimchi and sauce topping was a perfect addition. The only thing I was a little curious about was the meat. For bulgogi, it tasted very bland. I’m not sure if that’s because of the situation or it’s how they serve their meat. The only way to find out will be to go back during the day for another taste test. (Ooh how terrible to have to have another delicious taco.) So, I’ll reserve a full review until I see their regular operation, but from what I saw last night I was very pleased.

Here’s me looking super psyched.

November 9, 2010 | | Tags: , , , , | No Comments »