(What's That Smell ?) It's TACO BELL

The Gordita in all of its wonderment. 

In this case a Beef one which is my preference, yes I enjoy the Bell's Grade Z Beef.

Taco Bell warrants approval on my Food Blog since I only have it about once a year much to my disapproval and general frustration yet it is my favorite Fast Food joint of choice.

I premeditated on my sojourn to procure 3 Gordita's for myself and a Chicken Gordita for Cristina but as expected new items were added to the Menu and I could not pass up a Quesalupa (one Gordita down, one Quesalupa up), so that's 3 Gordita's (including Cristina's) and a Quesalupa total.

Lets face it folks the Quesalupa is a Gordita with a slightly Crispy Soft Flatbread folded over the Ingredients. In reality it is a Chalupa (slightly crispy soft flatbread folded over the ingredients) but in this case it is a Cheese Bread but who could notice what with all the Hot Sauce and mingling of Flavors going on. Dont get me wrong its a winner in my book.

Exterior Shot.

The Dining Room.

I made sure to "take out" some extra Hot Sauce due to the quotation of the bill but these little packets will most certainly be put into use.

Supreme or not, SEVEN BUCKS for a Gordita !!!

The counterperson was very nice as I asked if she had made a possible mistake in my order due to the Restaurant price of my order. she told me "prices had recently gone up" and I replied "It's O.K. I never get to come here that often".

Was I happy and pleased and full of Taco Bell by the end of the day ?

Yes I was.

TACO BELL ONLINE

PROGRESSO SOUPS lV

5/8/16 - Tomato Florentine with Italian Sausage - Mafalda Pasta in Tomato Broth with Italian Sausage, Carrots and Spinach.

The Sausage is akin to that which is used on Frozen Pizza but of the canned variety and that is not a bad thing so far as this hearty and satisfying Soup goes.

9/3/16 - Creamy Alfredo with Penne & Chicken - I was really in the mood for Chicken Broth tonight but figured I would tread unknown territory and sometimes Blog imitates life so here goes.

Right off I tasted a bit of Basil or Oregano but none are listed on the label and there are green bits in it, I hope this hasn't gone south in the freshness department. Very Thick & Creamy Alfredo Broth, no surprise as glancing at the Ingredients I see Sour Cream, Parmesan Cheese, Flour and Starch contained, Noodles could be more Al Dente but what do you expect from something that has been sitting in a can for lord knows how long. For a Creamy Soup I was not so much in the mood for this is Delicious.

Would be good with Croutons which I do have on hand but why ruin it.

PROGRESSO SOUPS l LINK

PROGRESSO SOUPS ll LINK

PROGRESSO SOUPS lll LINK

INTERESTING SOFT DRINKS ll

Hang on a minute here.

O.K. Who is the jerk that decided to make a "Wine" flavored Soft Drink.

I would normally give a non-biased review here but this stuff tastes like doo-doo.

More complaining from me but this HUGE bottle was a chore to get through, kind of watery and lacking in any personality. If I want a full serving of Vitamin C I will steer clear next time.

This achieves attention on its name alone.

Very Tasty and proper like most Snapple products (I am still not a fan of their Fruit Punch) and adhering a tribute to "The Boss" in name alone of course I had to try it. Tastes kind of like Peach and Mango.

Most Delicious, This became my Beverage of choice for some time akin to Schweppes Raspberry Ginger Ale a few years back in frequency of purchase. 

I continue to seek Cherry 7-Up in Cans but so far no luck in NYC.

With a slight mediciney taste but after all that is Ginger.

Quite excited to try this upon fear of its resolution of production within a short period but try I did. Oddly not as Crisp as the average Ginger Ale but no complaints here.

Purchased to add to my Orange Juice making it a Pineapple Orange Juice.

While at La Bella - I passed this in the aisle, forgot about it (for 10 seconds) then double backed. 

Lightly Effervescent Sweet Grapefruit Soda.

This tasted as it should. Kinda like Strawberry Lemonade.

Carbonated Ginger Ale but also Carbonated Lemonade as it was not a watered down Beverage.

The first time I tried this was a year or two ago. It is now 2019 and I found another bottle which hopefully has not been sitting on the shelf from a year or two ago.

Enjoyed this serving moreso. Sweeter and richer in Black Cherry Flavor.

INTERESTING SOFT DRINKS 1 LINK

Home Made FRIED EGGPLANT - Brooklyn, New York

It Anticipates on the table top.

Frying, Glorious Frying.

Cristina gets complete Dibs on the creation of our first ever Fried Eggplant Slices and they came out mouth wateringly delectable.

I was predominately hesitant upon preparation being a novice amongst these Eggplant thingys and boy did they cook quickly but as any Chef worth his or her mettle a test slice was procured and perfection was achieved. I only Fried them, Chef Cristina performed all the prep.

Boy these buggers cook up quickly and soak up the Oil without hesitation (Grapeseed Oil in this experience).

Cristina's Hero.

Brick Oven Baked Bread (outsourced via Frank & Sal's) with sliced Tomato.

My Eggplant Parmigiana. 

Home made Sauce with Polly-O Mozzarella.

Coup De Grace.

Eggplant MSG.

WASABI (Open 7 Days) - Brooklyn, New York.

OK so this was tried on a "whim" via Cristina and only an eight block walk from my residence.

Was this under or over Fuki Sushi which is my local place 

?

Its all the same thus far.

As a matter of fact I need never return again unless Fuki shuts down.

(top row to bottom) - Philadelphia Roll, California Roll, Avocado Roll, Eel Mango Roll.

Vegetable Gyoza (Guy Zoda) - Bland to my Palate but this was Cristina's order.

Chicken Tempura Roll - A Favorite of mine.

Sushi it is not but heart and belly warming.

5/22/16 - Nothing new here, just Delicious Sushi Rolls. I have built up quite the collection of Wasabi infused Soy Sauce of my own but its going out almost as fast as its coming in.

(top row to bottom L to R) - Spicy Crunchy Salmon Roll, Shrimp Mango Roll, Oshinko Roll, Shrimp Avocado Roll.

Yaki Noodle with Beef.

Determined to try something new from the Menu Yaki Noodle sounded a bit like Chinese Lo Mein  prepared Hibachi style with Udon Noodles. At first I was not overly impressed but happy enough but you should have seen me scarfing these babies down a few hours later. Might not try these again as there are so many items yet to sample.

Outerior of this trendy yet typical place.

BACON BACON BACON - Brooklyn, New York.

Any negative words upon BACON ?.

NO.

I went into Interstellar Overdrive after hearing that Cristina had not ingested BACON for a thirty year period.

Did my best to Fry it just right amongst her orders of "well done" and as they say It was a Jamboree indeed.

As precious as Gold and rightly so.

Attack of the Killer Tomatoes.

Perfection.

Thomas' English Muffin, Sliced Tomato and BACON.

WITH Peppers & Onions (Sausage) - Brooklyn, New York.

Cristina has perfected what I had problems with for decades.

The secret to proper "Caramelized" Veggies is DONT BE A CHEAP ASS WITH THE OIL !!! of which I am guilty of. Plus these were prepared with EVOO (Extra Virgin Olive Oil) that of course pummels Corn Oil in possibly every which way imaginable.

Chop, Chop, Chop.

Fry, Fry, Fry.

These are not quite yet done but are certainly underway.

Fennel Sausage with Peppers & Onions atop a Whole Wheat Flatbread disc.

4/26/16 - And what to do with leftover Sausage ?

Make a Whole Wheat Flatbread Pizza of course. Delicious ? YES.