Dear Carne Asada Fries,
All I can say is that I miss you. There are 300 miles that keep us apart, and it almost kills me. I try to make myself good dinners, or treat myself and go out to dinner. Nothing though, can fill that craving that I have for a greasy platter of you.
Here I am in San Luis Obispo, enjoying, but still settling for what the central California coast calls Mexican food. Nowhere can I find a compilation as beautiful as you are -- salty, golden brown French fries topped in mouth-watering carne asada and covered in refreshing guacamole. I’ve heard rumors of an attempt at your perfection in the area, yet still, it isn’t you, the original San Diego Carne Asada Fries.
I can find nothing that compares to you, nothing that fills this void and my empty stomach. People ask if burritos can fill this void. Burritos outside of San Diego hardly compete with the artistry of every kind of good thing under the sun being wrapped in a tortilla and made into a bundle of joy the size of your forearm. That’s another love affair for a different time. But even if I tried to add fries to these sub-par burritos, it could never be the same as a plate of all your glory. So, I must wait to be reunited with you, carne asada fries.
Admittedly, I am homesick, having not been back home since Christmas. I miss the palm trees lining the streets, being in the ocean without a wetsuit, and even the eight lane freeways, but none of that feels quite like home without you. It is you that I long for.
I cannot wait to come around that bend on the 5 freeway, where the view opens up and you can see all of downtown San Diego, glimmering in the unfaltering 75 degree sunshine. Instead of getting off the exit to come home, I promise I will get off at B Street, make my way towards Petco Park, walk straight into Lolita’s and order you.
I choose you, carne asada fries, every time. I think about you always: when I wake up in the morning, or on my way to class…in class, or while I try to fall asleep at night. On the rare occasion that I visit the gym, that is when I dwell on you the most.
Soon, I will be home for spring break, and that’s when we will be reunited. I promise to choose you for every meal that I can, as long as my mom doesn’t cut me off, and I can still fit in my bikinis. Scratch that -- my love for you is unconditional, and I will enjoy you anywhere and everywhere I can. Breakfast, lunch, or dinner, at any Lolita’s location, Ray’s Mexican on El Cajon Boulevard, or Saguaro’s, we will be together again.
Yours always,
Me
