Fast Food While Traveling: Is it ever acceptable?
I’m pretty anti-fast food no matter where I am. I am lucky enough not to list fast food as one of my personal vices. Honestly, the budget-priced “food” does not really tempt me. However, I know there is the argument that sometimes, when traveling, fast food from back home is just the thing you need to cure your homesickness. Well, in Puerto Rico, I wasn’t homesick, but I did eat fast food. My poison of choice happened to be Taco Bell. I swear, I had a good reason!
Papas Supreme, need I say more?
Well yeah, I probably do need to say more, because even Taco Bell enthusiasts have probably never heard of this magical dish. You see, in the great US of A, we buy into the idea that Taco Bell is “different” from other fast food places. It’s not a burger joint. It’s “mexican.” Of course, that’s all nonsense, but the theme of the restaurant simply does not allow for french fries. But I ask you, my friends, wouldn’t you love some greasy fries with that mystery meat taco?!
Allow Puerto Rico to solve your fast food woes
Puerto Rico, land of Spanglish and blurred cultural lines (Latin America or United States?!) has decided to say screw you, pseudo Mexican menu with absolutely no fries. We shall give the drunken clientel the fries they crave! And you know what? We’re going to top them with some ground beef, tomatoes, and sour cream! Yes, and we shall dub them, PAPAS SUPREME!
It’s all about the novelty
We were in a rush, in a car, and hungry. It was then that I remembered Pedro telling me about these so-called papas supreme, and I requested (or begged) for a stop at the nearest taco bell. I’m a little ashamed to admit how much effort was put into locating a Taco Bell just so I could eat a dish that is basically just crappy nachos with fries instead of chips. But the novelty, people! Nacho-esque fries from a drive thru Taco Bell! In Puerto Rico!
The Verdict?
They taste better than they look. Especially when the photo is taking in a moving car in the dark, using the flash.
They were fast food french fries (read: underwhelming) with taco-bell quality toppings. But you know what? They were the kind of dish you want from a fast food restaurant. Delightfully unhealthy. Not at all special, yet oddly satisfying.
I think the US locations should consider adding them to the menu. They certainly would sell better than that ridiculous “cheese-roll-up” which is just a quesadilla made in a dirty microwave instead of on a grill. Screw the “Beyond the Border” attitude. I say, let there be fries!
