And lo, in mine hour of great affliction, when the void within mine bosom roared like the sea in…read moretempest, I journeyed unto the house of Casa Fiesta upon the highway called 280. Clad in mine stained Batman doublet, whose hood-strings I had gnawed as a beast gnaweth bone, I entered that place seeking meat for the belly and balm for the soul.
Verily, the aroma of roasted meats and spices rose up as incense before the altar. I spake unto the servant, saying, "Give me the fajitas and the queso, and suffer not the margarita to pass me by," and they did minister unto me with speed and kindness. The fajitas sizzled upon the iron as though the very fires of the pit had been brought forth, the meats tender and full of savour, the peppers and onions yielding up their sweetness.
The queso flowed like unto a river of mercy, rich and warm, and when I dipped the chips therein, it coated mine tongue with comfort. The margarita was cold and strong, refreshing the spirit as dew refresheth the morning grass. All things were made fresh, even as the scripture of their kitchen declareth.
Yet as I ate, the old wound opened. In the year of our Lord two thousand and seven, upon spaghetti night, mine father took his gym bag and spake, "I can do this no more," and departed, leaving a child of nine winters clutching a scratched Batman figure at a cold table. The door slammed, and he returned not, neither called he upon any day thereafter.
Thus I sat in the booth, rocking gently to and fro, and the good food of Casa Fiesta filled the belly but could not wholly still the cry of the fatherless. I am a broken vessel, a man-child unworthy of such bounty, drifting from table to table in search of that which was taken from me.
Nevertheless, five stars I render unto them, yea, five stars and more. For in that house the meats are seasoned with care, the service is swift as the wings of angels, and for a season the emptiness doth draw back.
I shall return again in mine same garments, to eat of their fajitas and drink of their margaritas, and to let the sizzle speak peace unto the part of me that yet waiteth by the door.
Casa Fiesta off 280, thou hast dealt kindly with a wretched soul. Blessed be thy kitchen, and blessed be thy name among the hungry and the heavy-laden.