As a
struggling college student my options for food as well as budget have become
quite limited, these becoming two things that have been truly hard to handle
and adjust to. However, with limited options I am slowly learning to settle
with what is presented in front of me and accepting the idea that it could be
worse. Yes, that means I am sometimes forced to put my overpriced meal plan
into action, if you don’t already know that means eating at our infamous DUC! I
know, I know not very advertising at all but that’s what I got. Although in an
ongoing effort to survive from time to time I try to treat myself to a descent
meal, nothing to fancy of course. Cox hall here I come!
Even
though going to Cox is sometimes a last minute on the run type of thing the
experience is always memorable. It may be because of the comparison to DUC food
or even all the variety presented in on small building, but it is truly a part
of what makes the food good. From the initial opening of the doors when all
phone service is dropped, well mine at least, and you realize it is just you
and a room full of opportunities, to the proud strut out the building with a
white take out box in one hand, it is like entering a whole new world.
For me it has become rather simple though,
only because I always end up getting the same thing. I guess you can say I am
pretty predictable when it comes to my food. But what can I say, I know what I
like. My destination is always to the back left hand corner where a sign hangs
that reads Salsa Rico. I enter the line my eyes quickly coming into contact
with the menu, me pretending to check it out as if my order will change. I inch
forward preparing myself to repeat to the lady exactly what has been in my head
since I entered this line.
After firmly
stating I would like a chicken baja burrito with pinto beans a sense of relief
overcomes me and I continue anxiously down the assembly line. Taking small
steps and following my food as it moves down I always manage to ever so
politely ask for extra cheese as if I can tell the difference if it is there or
not. Watching closely with nothing but curiosity as they mix all the food up and
the ending result always resembling perfection rolled up in a warm tortilla
truly fascinates me. How do they do it? How do they get it all to fit in there?
I wonder if there is a video on how to do that? Finally snapping out of a daze
when asked, “Do you want salsa with your chips?” umm salsa, yes of course I
reply ever so eagerly. The dying anticipation rises as she puts a handful of
chips in my box and closes it, taking her time to hand me the box over the
counter. She always manages to give me a nice smile as if she already knows the
master piece she has just created. Unable to resist the temptation I crack open
the box without hesitation and reach for a chip, just one. It is enough to hold
me over until I can sit down and eat. The plain taste of a tortilla chip
sprinkled with a tad bit of salt does wonders for the soul. Surprisingly that
one chip being more satisfying than it sounds and not a bit overpowering. Finally
getting to a point where I can sit down and sink my teeth into the large
burrito, my awareness for the variety of powerful flavors that lie in my hands
is immediately increased. This is the moment where the emotional journey and the
satisfying meal meet and exchange places, leaving you to be the judge of which
is better.
