Ameri-CAN
The stupid food sociology has begun, my friends!
I went to a KFC today. Hells yes I am cool. It was actually really hopping, perhaps the busiest KFC I’ve seen. I was on a quest for the illusive Mega (which is like a Super Kmart, and apparently that’s all they have down here–tienditas (corner stores) and huge megaplex mercados–besides the big labyrinthine market downtown) and happened to pass by one. I ordered 1 bisquet, which amused everybody staring at the weirdo foreigner. “Si, solo uno, por favor!” I asked for honey sauce and confused the heck out of the cashier. What came with my biscuit was called “mermelada” which is usually just jam, but in this case I swear it was just strawberry flavored syrup. Like what you’d find on your table at IHOP. It was not so good, but the biscuit hit the spot. I hadn’t had any grains all day.
Speaking of grains, I wanted to buy some corn tortillas once I got to the store. I couldn’t find them and couldn’t find them (lots of soft flour and crispy corn tostadas, but no soft corn) and finally I asked a stocking dude. He said they didn’t have any, only flour. What!? What country is this? They freaking invented the stuff!
Another corny discovery: stuff made from corn (ala cornmeal) is de maiz, of course, but apparently when it is just corn in its natural state it is called “elote.” Corn on the cob is “elote natural.” I ate some esquites yesterday and, I gotta say, NOT AS GOOD AS SENOR MOOSE’S. Yep. I will do my part to conduct further research!
I wish I’d bought the Kraft mac ‘n’ cheese. I put up my nose at it at the store, but now that I’m home and I’m hungry for cena, gosh does that sound good.