Eating Enchiladas in the Alps

Today for lunch, I went to a restaurant that based on its name, you would think was a Mexican (or at least Tex-ican) establishment. True, Maudie is not the most Hispanic names (at least not that I am aware of), but hacienda? I mean, tt says “Tex-Mex” right there, people.
…and yet, inside, you would have thought we were in a ski lodge in the Alps. (Or at least Colorado.)
Oh yes, those are antler chandeliers hanging over the bar…
Granted, I have no problem with ski lodges. In fact, not being a skiier, I would probably spend most of my time in one if I were on a “ski trip.” I also happened to love the floor lamp lighting. Just because it was cool.
At least I was able to get my water with a lime. Although it was no Guero’s, where lemons aren’t even allowed, I felt a slight South-of-the-Border shimmy as soon as I took my first sip. [Side note: I find that I actually drink more water when I go out to eat than when I eat at home. This is mostly because I'm too cheap to pay for another type of drink. I'm not saying this is a good rationale for dining out in restaurants more often, but at least I can put a health benefit in there when I do.]

Once I got over the fact that the only thing stereotypical “Mexican” about the decor were some random paintings on the wall, with nary a bandera or sombrero to be seen, I was very excited to see the lunch special:
Tortilla Soup is perhaps my favorite thing to order at a Mexican restaurant (unless they have shrimp fajitas…I do like those on occasion), and to be able to try a taco as well: score! After brief consultation with my waiter, I went for the Al Pastor taco, and a Large Caldo (soup/broth in Spanish).
He was not kidding about this bowl of soup being really big. It was gigantic. I guess that is a good thing, however, since it’s mostly broth. It was very, very good. I slurped up all of the brothy goodness, and the tomatoes and peppers floating around in there. Avocados did not stand a chance, and I got most of the chicken and some of the cojita cheese as well. Eventually, I ended up with a gooey mess of chicken, cheese, and tortilla in the bottom that I passed on.
My al pastor taco was beautiful: seasoned and grilled pork with pico de pina (pineapple salsa), wrapped in two corn tortillas, with cilantro, lime, and onions on the side.
However, it is no joke that soup fills you up, and that taco was headed straight for a to-go container.
Erika ordered the Cheese Enchiladas, which she said were “so cheesy, I almost can’t eat them.”
She also ordered a sopapilla, which was served with a side of HONEY BEAR! (This is the cutest thing I have ever seen.)
I had to snap a photo as I watched her prepare her sopapilla by tearing off a corner and pouring honey inside. I never knew that was what you were supposed to do. [Erika's response, "It might not be what you are supposed to do, but it is what I do."]
Hooray for us! (and my shiny forehead…and yes, that was the outfit I wore last night if you saw me…Cara, that means you)

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In other news, I finally cooked up some wheat berries for the first time! What should I make with them?
Also, I bought these two baby twin pineapples for 99 cents each.
Clearly, they have good genetic stock. (I can only hope it was modified.)
Must go get my Whole Wheat (Club) Soda Bread from the oven! I tried it with some Italian seasoning in the mix this time. I’m taking it to Book Club tonight, so I’ll let you know how it goes.