05-13-09

05-13-09
Well it looks like everybody North of us got rain but not a drop for us yesterday. Maybe todays the day. I sent out my emails and blogs and now it's time for lunch, imagine that. We are going to Portales Restaurant in Gibsonton. Located in a strip mall that has seen better days,This combination restaurant/grocery store caters to Mexicans as the owner Julissa told me. Outside there are two entrance doors, one for the resaturant and one for the grocery, inside they are interconnected but nicely divided. I will not say that this is authentic Mexican as "Authentic" has been way overused. I will say this, It is owned by Mexicans, run by Mexicans ,caters to Mexican, the cooks are Mexican, the waitress,Gilma, is Mexican, the customers are Mexican, in fact we were the only English speaking people in either the restaurant or the grocery. When you first walk in you see signs of all of the dishes that they have and a number by it, I thought that there was a line to get on but they have table service, I can't stand waiting in line and ordering food.The place is spotlessly clean. There are vases with fresh cut roses on eash table. Home made Sangria, strawberry Daiquiri, pina colada and margaritas on the rocks or frozen are available(wine based) along with soft drinks and beer. Gilma brings fresh made crisp and flaky chips with salsa (not red in color) made with fresh chopped ingredients from the grocery and a side of beans not quite refried topped with fresca(Mexican) cheese to get us started. We decided to split the House Special. A combination of jalapeno peppers, onions, Mexican fine chopped chorizo, cheese and chicken witth beans and yellow rice on the side along with lettuce and tomatoes. We opted for 1/2 flour and 1/2 corn tortillas, both soft. 2 Bud lights for me and 2 diet Cokes for Dixie.Splitting was the way to go, we are both satsified. $22.03 without tip.This is Real Mexican Food catering to the way Mexicans like their food, it just so happens we like it too.The grocery has everything, bakery section, pots and pans, canned goods, meat market, fresh fruit and veggys, all with a Mexican customer in mind. Either place you go Gringos are welcome. If you have any questions the employees have limited English speaking skills however, the owner Julissa speaks perfect English and Spanish. You know it's fresh if they need anything they just walk to the grocery side for more ingredients. Bienvenidos a Portales. Tim G. calls me up and we are planning on hitting CJs bike night and then get something to eat. About 5:30 the sky finally opens up and delivers the needed rain. I can hear the gratitude of my grass, it is much happier now. Bike nights off, so we decide to go to The Shrimp Boat, and then the rain just keeps coming and we decide to stay home. Spagetti with meat sauce and a salad made at home. We split a bottle of "Double Dog Dare" Cab.(Calf.) We get this stuff for $3.99 a bottle plus 10% off if you get a case. When we first found it a Wines Plus on Dale Mabry they had a special on it for $2.99 and we bought 4 cases. This is a great cheap cabernet sauvignon that you can seve to your friends, and yourself, and everybody's impressed without breaking your bank. See Ya, Brian