Gelkote

I like venturing to new places for lunch. I’m not talking the new Max & Erma’s or any other chain concoction but unique institutions. A few months ago it was open lunch at the local Elk’s Lodge struggling with dwindling membership and a flood damaged building. Today it was Mexican at a Mom and Son shop named Laureano’s Mini Mart. The food was fresh but what really makes the place is the Son. Tom is a charismatic talker with great pride in his establishment. It was fun listening to him and my coworker discuss the size of their big taco, the economics of junk yard parts and the reason why Tom’s daughter’s car has a different color door than the rest of the body.

Since Laureano’s is a Mini Mart, too, they have a small selection of ethnic candies. I have a bad habit at ethnic stores of looking over the colorful packages and getting a pack of something unknown. About 70% of the time the candy is absolute crap going from my mouth to the trash in about 5 seconds. However, there are gems like the chocolaty/cookie mushrooms or Kopiko coffee candy but most of the time it’s duds. Haw Flakes anyone? Today I have something else to add to the dud pile, Pulparindo. This stuff is best described as a mini Fruit Roll-Up sprinkled in chili powder.  Did I mention the California Health Department discovered Pulparindo contains high amounts of lead? Perhaps I should stick with Peanut M&Ms.

Living Room – July 31st, 2008