The taco truck that grew roots

La Michoacana
Iowa City

tripe (left)  and tongue (right)... with cilantro and lime

My favorite (ok, the only) taco truck in Iowa City recently put down roots.  I ventured over to see if the food was just as good and it was!  The restaurant is attached to a meat market and serves a wider variety of dishes since they have more than 10 sq. ft of kitchen to work with.  I approve

tacos la michoacana- Waterloo/ Iowa City

tacos de lengua

A few years ago Iowa City got its first taco truck, which was based out of a restaurant in Waterloo and would come down by the waterfront Hy Vee Thursday-Sunday.  Excellent food and everyone I took loved it.  They've gone indoors now and operate out of a Mexican meat market on the west side.  Can't wait to go and check out the new digs.

Calzone Paradise: An Ode

Everyone needs a dish in their hometown that they absolutely have to have when they find themselves back home. For me, that honor goes to the calzone from Sam's Pizza. Back in high school, my coworkers at the movie theaters (back when there were theaters downtown- watch how I date myself with that) turned me on to Sam's. When I'm old and bitter, the taste of a calzone will evoke all sorts of wonderful memories of my youth, like the critic in the movie "Ratatouille".

Where to start? My variety of choice is spinach and pepperoni. I've tried other kinds and none seems to compare. As you can see toward the bottom of the frame in the picture, when baked correctly, the crust gets flaky and crispy. Sam's is not fine dining so the quality isn't always consistent (when someone in the kitchen doesn't know what they're doing it can come out doughy). A dusting of garlic salt (and probably butter- who're we kidding?) add flavor to the top. Excellent tangy marinara (I always have to get an extra container) adds the final touch. The 'zone is cut perfectly to allow dipping. Pure addictive goodness.