We so many passionate, hilarious and even poignant restaurant poems sent in to our contest to win a ticket to Share Our Strength’s Taste of the Nation event, it was VERY hard to pick a winner. Who knew there were so many talented scribes using food as their muse out there? It was difficult, but we have two winners, each of whom will receive a ticket valued at $75 to the foodie fundraiser. There are still tickets available to the benefit, which you can purchase online at the Share Our Strength web site. Remember, all of the money goes to worthy hunger-relief charities like Philabundance, so you are dining for a good cause. And now, the winners!
Congratulations to Matt Lattman and Bill Horan, who wrote two very entertaining, very different odes to their favorite restaurants, both of which made us laugh out loud. Read their poetic love letters to Distrito and Salt and Pepper below.
DISTRITO
by Matt Lattman
I rebel against Taco Bell.
As my stomach swells with new fat cells,
My mouth cries to revise the tastes and smells
the lack of surprise in this Mexican hell.
You could talk for days
about the guac at El Vez
Or the Quesadilla nirvana
at Taqueria Verecruzana.
And let’s not forget
those nights of regret
From bring your own tequila margarita
at Azteca, Cazuelas, or Lolita.
But in a city with more success than farces,
I’ve learned to always bet on Garces.
For a burrito, a gordito, horchata, or a jarritos
I take bus Four-DI-two* to the home of Distrito.
Yo necesito
the queso fundido
With the duck barbacoa
and cheese melted over.
At night I’m dreaming
for the steaming
Vapors from my Hamachi Taco.
But my stomach is screaming
And my brain is leaning
Towards some of Ignacio’s Nachos**
It gives me the blues
To have to choose
Between each dish.
If I had my wish,
I’d also get the mole
and a side of frijoles.
Despite the decor,
Which I’ve seen before
(And kind of abhor,
but also adore)
at Cabo Spring Break
(a design mistake?),
U City has found a star.
It’s not very far
For me to repeat-o
my trips to Distrito.
*Display name: 42 **Nacho is a nickname for Ignacio
Salt and Pepper
by Bill Horan
O’ Salt ‘n’ Pepper, Salt ‘n’ Pepper,
Not’ing rhymes with Salt ‘n’ Pepper.
Y’r chef, ‘es black, y’r host, pure white,
Surely what y’r name means, right?
’t doesn’t really matter tho’,
Y’r food is why I love you so.
Div’r Scallops: tough to beat!
E’en with Lil’ Fish down the street.
Teh best f’r now, this much ‘s true,
Until tonight: I taste Bibou.
