Taco Delivery Phenomenon

In the category of things I shouldn't be doing right now, I feel like blogging is pretty high on the list.

I am getting ready to move out of the apartment I've lived in for five years (have no fear--I am just moving a few blocks away to another apartment in my beloved DuPont Circle) and am photographing two weddings in the next two weeks (meaning this week will be spent finalizing contracts, shot lists, logistics schedules, and outfits!), not to mention my overflowing in-box, three internet shopping purchases that need to be returned, and a several loads of laundry waiting to be washed.

I explain this because I have been ITCHING to tell you about the breakfast tacos I enjoyed while in Austin for work a few weeks ago... but my to-do list keeps getting in the way. So am writing a quick blog post about 'em--and you'll just have to stay tuned for the moment when my life calms down a bit so I can tell you all about the OTHER delicious things I ate while in my Texas home away from home... Austin (Jodi, Adam, and Joel--this means you!).

I had been hearing about the breakfast tacos from colleagues in my office for a few days since my arrival there in mid-April (this is one thing I love about Austin--the food recommendations are as abundant as live music venues). When the moment finally arrived for me to sample them, I was really amazed with the whole situation.


You see, the taco delivery person COMES TO THE CONVIO OFFICES every morning at 9:30 AM. That's right, the tacos are DELIVERED to the office. I still can't get over this fact. So my very responsible colleagues (thank you Jonathan W. and Rachel J.) notified me when the delivery person had arrived (an e-mail is usually sent around to the folks working in the Austin office, but since I'm DC based I am not on the taco delivery notification e-mail list) and I made my way to the front lobby (with both my iPhone and camera in hand so I could snap and post a photo immediately and properly document the experience for this post with higher quality photos). Needless to say, the taco delivery man was a bit freaked out. It is possible that my fast-talking-east-coast-blogger-identity is kind of off-putting to the more mellow pace of Austin.

So, I made my decision quickly:

The Jess Special, which consists of eggs scrambled with migas and topped with Monterrey Jack cheese and fresh sliced avocado.

It was amazing. How could that not be amazing? I ate in the comfort of my visitor cube (which was even adorned with a little welcome sign for me--so cute!) while checking my e-mail.

I also grabbed three of the many salsas that the Taco Deli delivery folks schlep to the office. I don't recall which was my favorite (the downside of waiting a month to blog about a taco) but I do remember that they were all DELICIOUS.


But, let's get back to the more important component of the story: the tacos are delivered to the office. Is this an office perk that other offices have and I've never known was an option? Does your office has breakfast tacos delivered? Basically, I think this is the next best thing to working above the Juice Joint have having access to their breakfast burritos on a regular basis.

So, if you're ever in Austin, you can experience the Taco Deli taco phenomenon at one of their three locations.

Okay, back to packing. My latest box contained art supplies, costumes, and tights.

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My Rick Sebak Imitation

SuperDawg really is super.

You see, I am not really a person that would seek out a hot dog as a meal. When at a baseball game, I'd opt for fries or maybe a beer and a funnel cake (mmm). If I were putting together a lunch based on street vendor selections, I would go for a Korean cart feast of Bibimbap over a hot dog. But when parents of Elissa F. (aka Mr. and Mrs. F.) told me they were friends of the owners of Chicago's famous SuperDawg hot dog empire, I knew we needed to take a trip there. And when I say hot dog empire, I mean, SuperDawg has been featured on two Food Network programs and showcased in the book 1,000 Places to See Before You Die. And even before Mrs. F.'s hot dog celeb connection was discussed, I had been hearing about SuperDawg from PBS's A Hot Dog Program.

(A quick note about PBS food shows: Whenever PBS features something about a unique food find or iconic piece of American food culture, I always know it is worth a stop next time I within a 100 mile radius of said item. I don't always feel this way about Food Network suggestions. The Food Network is wonderful, but they need to fill 24 hours a day with food related programming. PBS is trying to squeeze many different genres of programming into their schedule, so when they choose to profile a little establishment like SuperDawg, you know it will be good. Also, as I reread this, I am hearing it being narrated in Rick Sebak's voice. Strange? Yes. Amazing? YES!)

In addition to Mrs. F. being a frequent W and CP reader, the F family really knows what they're talking about in terms of Chicago food. These are the people who opened my eyes to the Walker Brothers cinnamon apple pancake so I knew they would not steer me wrong regarding hot dogs.

On our way to the Milwaukee and Devon SuperDawg location (no, not in Milwaukee, but rather at the intersection of the two streets), Mrs. F. gave us a rundown of the menu items and her suggestions. When we arrived, I felt my usual rush of excitement when entering an establishment that I am positive will be blog worthy.

When you arrive at SD, you are greeted by two gigantic hot dogs decorated in neon lights on top of the 1940s era drive in. SuperDawg has been around since the 1940s, so it isn't trying to be throwback kitsch, it is the real deal. SD is one of America's few remaining true drive in restaurants and as we pulled into the SuperParkingLot, I felt as if I wanted to be wearing a poodle skirt and break into a Grease-esque dance number. Good thing Julie F. and Amy B. were there to keep me focused on the ordering task at hand.

We made our way into the tiny glassed in ordering area. Mrs. F. suggested the classic SuperDawg. It is served with golden mustard (which I politely declined), tangy piccalilli, a kosher dill pickle, lots of chopped onions and a "memorable hot pepper" (which I also opted out of). I did however, opt in for the CheesySuperDawg option, which was a very good decision. We also ordered a SuperShake, SuperOnionChips (I am not kidding, this is how they're advertised on the menu), and SuperVeggieChips to share.

Needless to say, everything was super. The hot dog bun was perfect (sprinkled with poppy seeds, watch out Beth K.), the SuperVeggieChips were sort of Japanese food tempora inspired (although we were sitting a mere 7 minutes from Chicago's Ohare airport and nowhere near Japan), and the old school seating and well branded packaging really made the experience authentic.

And, as if the delicious meal and quality time with Family F. wasn't enough, one of the owners, Maurie Berman, stopped by to say hello while we were eating lunch. Ah, what a food celebrity moment?! He greeted Mr. and Mrs. F. and I was able to get a photo of the actual Sausage King of Chicago as he graced us with his presence.

And as he drove away, I ran out of the restaurant to snap a quick photo (like a stalker) of his licence plate.


Here is a little side note about our conversation with Maurie... Obviously my last post outlined the big news that was the arrival of Sivan W. into the world. My visit to SuperDawg was a mere 24 hours after Sivan's entrance and Maurie already knew about her. I love how in the know the SuperDawg folks are and how Sivan is already a celebrity.

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