Will You Remember Salsa Rico?

           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.