Decent food, FINALLY

I'm so excited.

I've finally found a GOOD restaurant in the Tri-Cities. Not a decent one, not a good-enough one. A GOOD one. Before, we made do with Carabba's, the Italian-esque chain. It's not bad- actually pretty tasty, but it's heavy and kind of expensive and the service is AWFUL (I do like to get caesar salads for take out).

The place I found is (I think) called "Volcanoes Bakery." At least that's what the little sign says to make checks out to. The banner out front says something like "The Real McCoy Tamales Tortas Tostadas" Painted on the side of the tiny little cinder-black building are the words "Diego Rivera and Frida Kahlo's Gallery." Huh?

Anyway, they have two tables outside. Inside, there's one table, but it's pushed up against a wall so only 2 sides are usable. There's also a long bar-shelf on the long wall with stools. Opposite the bar is a display case full of fresh-made pastries, a cooler filled with ice and Mexican sodas (no Coke here), a table which appears to be used for food prep, and a small case with desserts inside and the cash register on top.

They make the best tamale I have ever had in my life.

I was having my brakes done at the Meineke next door ($353- oof!), and had been meaning to try it out. The reviews are fantastic: check out the Roadfood.com forum discussion on the place.  The chicken tamale I had was the best tamale I've ever eaten.  The tostada de tinga (a tostada covered in chicken and onions in a red chipotle sauce, lettuce sour cream, cheese, and a slice of avocado) is hard to describe.  It's a wonderful mixture of crunchy and soft, hot and cold, oh, it's just wonderful.  So I'm happy happy happy.  And I'm going back tonight.