My New Year’s Resolutions this year were as follows: 1. Make a food blog (check) 2. Be brave. The idea for the first resolution was my own. The second was inspired by my friend, Julia’s resolution, and her idea was inspired by our all-time favorite singer, Sara Bareilles’s new uplifting (and catchy) song, “Brave”. Bravery comes in many forms; speaking up for yourself and others, facing fear, speaking your mind. I thought about this a lot last week. Fast forward to a few days later, when my family and I decided to go to “Paco’s Tacos”, a small and quaint, but surprisingly consistently delicious Mexican restaurant. A kitschy collection of hot sauces in shelves lines one wall while a mural of a thriving Mexican desert surrounds the rest of the restaurant, and a blackboard advertising weekly specials and salsa lessons greets customers at the door. Every time I go to Paco’s Tacos, I get the exact same thing: the Shrimp Mexicana Taco Salad, BUT my newfound bravery drove me to go crazy and try something new! After a few minutes of careful perusal of the menu, I announced to my family in my best Spanish accent, “I’m getting the Aguacate Relleno con Pollo!” My brother rolled his eyes (he thinks I’m a little too obsessed with food), but I was very excited for this meal. The menu described it as something like, “Fresh half an avocado, filled with grilled chicken, onions and peppers, topped with a velvety jalapeño sauce. Served over mixed greens”. (I ordered w/o peppers). I pictured a fresh, vibrant salad with a drizzle of dressing, and I had high expectations for this new and delicious-sounding meal. To my dismay, my Aguacate Relleno con Pollo was not anything like I expected. I couldn’t even see the avocado. The whole plate was devoured by a giant mound of chicken. That avocado was not stuffed; it was buried. The light drizzle of dressing I dreamed of was actually a smothering of white gloop. The mixed greens, which I had imagined as a bed of salad was in reality, a sad handful of shredded iceberg lettuce at the foot of La Montaña de Pollo. I never send back food. I always give it a chance, but my mom could see the look on my face, and it wasn’t pretty. Any normal person would have gotten over it, but my mom knew that a bad meal would have ruined my night. (Okay, maybe I am a tiny bit too obsessed with food.) She insisted that I send it back. We called over our waitress and she was as nice as could be, offering my meal free of charge. Instead I ordered my go-to, my good old friend, the Mexicana Taco Salad, which came almost immediately. This salad consists of mixed greens (real lettuce, none of that iceberg crap), blackened grilled shrimp which are cooked to perfection, onions, tomatoes, pico de gallo, a creamy and fabulous guacamole, and sour cream. I order it topped with the cilantro lime dressing, which is light and flavorful. The salad is served in a big, flaky, puffy tortilla bowl which makes it look and taste great. Needless to say, I was finally happy. SO happy. Morals of the story: 1. Bravery is great. It’s awesome to try new things. Until you get something you don’t like. But that’s okay! At least I tried it and now I know what I like and what I don’t like. I took a small leap of faith and it didn’t pay off this time, but who knows? next time, maybe it will. 2. Despite my one ordering mishap, Paco’s Tacos is a really great restaurant. My Taco Salad is fantastic, and my family always enjoys what they get as well. The service is good and the staff is very friendly.They also have an amaaazziingg complimentary salsa and chips that they give in lieu of bread in the beginning of the meal. I highly recommend.

Unfortunately, I forgot to take pictures of my food this time  But, here’s the link to the restaurant: http://www.pacosnj.com/

Enjoy! Love, The Perky Foodie