STEPH DEROSA: GUESS WHO’S COMING TO DINNER?
Every once in a while I get a hankering for a little sumpin’ to munch on with my beer. The standard foods that best compliment my frosty alcohol-lined brew are typically salty: chips, pretzels, and peanuts. The best snack I’ve ever encountered runs double duty as a meal fit for four. I of course am speaking of Magoo’s infamous nachos. Out from the kitchen comes the hugest, heaviest, steamiest plate of nachos I’ve ever seen. Chunks of chicken, no shortage of cheese, and all the jalapeños I could ever ask for. What’s even better is that halfway through this gynormous mound of melty flavor is yet another layer of chicken, cheese, olive, and jalapeños. I’m pretty sure Jesus would’ve ordered these at the Last Supper if heaven had a Magoo’s.
This week I’m going to share my nachos with some super cool folk I’ve had the fortunate opportunity of meeting.
First, there’s Kendra. I’ve known Kendra since before the very first Toilet Tales. Once upon a time she worked at a coffee shop that I would frequent. She’s sweet, charming, giggly, and always has a smile on her face. I no longer hang out at that particular coffee joint, and she no longer works there, but we bump into each other quite often, and it’s always so good to see her. If you’d like to catch a glimpse of one of the coolest people ever, stop by Magoo’s. She’s pullin’ beer there for a paycheck on any given night. Here in the picture Kendra is admiring BanditoBetty’s new tattoo outline.
Speaking of Bandito’s new tattoo outline, I’m inviting Jason G. from Flaming Dragon Tattoo. Bandito came in with a “Where the Wild Things Are†vision, and Jason hooked her up. The work, detail, and expression will simply make you melt. The outline took four hours, and she still has four more four-hour sittings left. It’s going to look incredible, there’s no doubt.
Travis Pellegrini â€" what a cutie. Thank you Satellite Coffee for giving me one more welcoming face when I park myself at one of your tables. Travis is a relatively new barista at Satellite, and he is tearin’ it up. I’ve witnessed him handle a line of people out the door with nothing but grace and character. If he looks familiar, you might recognize him from Mandolin Café where he spent the last few years tossing coffee beans and serving up espresso.
I’ve said it before and I’ll say it again: one of my all-time favorite places in Tacoma is the Rosewood Café. Best chocolate chip cookies EVER. The cold beer, unique wines, fresh food, and personalized service bring me back every time. So naturally Barry Watson, owner of Rosewood Café, is always welcome at my house. I owe him some of that warm hospitality he is always showing me when I visit his comfort castle at 26th Street.
For pure entertainment purposes I am bringing in the big guns: Larry Steiner. What. A. TRIP. This guy is batshit crazy, and I love it. Painted jackets, guitars, reckless stories, and outlandish ideas are what makes Larry tick. Any guy that owns (and actually drives) a milk van donning an Alice in Wonderland paint job is one cool motherfucker. He is a ride you will never forget. Of course as with any dangerous ride, I’d like to caution all pregnant or nursing women, people with back problems, heart conditions, and people who develop motion sickness easily to ride at your own risk.
And last, we’re gonna need some alcohol for this entertaining, dangerous, yet delicious dinner. For this week’s drinks, I’ve called in the Captain. That’s right, Captain Morgan is in the house. I had breakfast with him at the Parkway Tavern last week, and he made me laugh the entire time. Although, the question eventually arose: What’s Captain Morgan doing here if the Parkway doesn’t even serve liquor? Ryan, the Parkway’s famous hash brown schlepper had an answer: “Just because the Parkway is a tavern doesn’t mean it can’t have a little captain in it.†Classic.
Mangiamo!
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